Cost of Living in Lewiston, ME
Lewiston-Auburn, ME — prices, rents and what jobs really pay here after taxes.
Salary comparison calculator
What would you need to earn in Lewiston, ME to keep the same lifestyle — after taxes — as in another city?
Prices in Lewiston, ME vs. the U.S. average
| Category | Index (U.S. = 100) | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| All items | 94.7 | −5.3% |
| Housing | 69.0 | −31.0% |
| Goods | 97.2 | −2.8% |
| Utilities | 134.4 | +34.4% |
| Other services | 103.2 | +3.2% |
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Rent in Lewiston, ME
| Unit | Monthly rent | Income needed (30% rule) |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,140 | $45,600/yr |
| 1 bedroom | $1,218 | $48,720/yr |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,586 | $63,440/yr |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,050 | $82,000/yr |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,305 | $92,200/yr |
HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026, population-weighted across the metro's counties.
Take-home pay in Lewiston, ME
- Federal income tax$3,765
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,071
- Medicare (1.45%)$718
- Maine income tax$2,162
- Take-home pay$39,823
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 6.75% state
Highest-paying jobs in Lewiston, ME
*In U.S.-average dollars after adjusting for local prices.
Frequently asked questions
Is Lewiston, ME expensive to live in?
According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, overall prices in the Lewiston-Auburn, ME metro area are 94.7% of the U.S. average, with housing at 69.0%. It is the #172 most expensive of 387 metro areas we track.
What salary do you need to live in Lewiston, ME?
To match the buying power of a $60,000 salary in an average-priced U.S. city you would need about $56,842 in Lewiston, ME (before tax differences). The median wage across all jobs here is $49,540.
How much is rent in Lewiston, ME?
HUD’s FY2026 fair market rents for Lewiston, ME are $1,140 for a studio, $1,218 for one bedroom, $1,586 for two bedrooms and $2,050 for three bedrooms, including utilities.
All salaries in Lewiston, ME
Management Occupations
- General and Operations Manager — $96,730
Community and Social Service Occupations
- Social and Human Service Assistant — $48,110
Educational Instruction and Library Occupations
- Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education — $59,110
- Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary — $47,120
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations
- Registered Nurse — $85,870
Healthcare Support Occupations
- Nursing Assistant — $48,570
- Home Health and Personal Care Aide — $38,240
Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations
- Waiter and Waitress — $43,130
- Fast Food and Counter Worker — $34,720
Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Occupations
Personal Care and Service Occupations
- Childcare Worker — $34,570
Sales and Related Occupations
- First-Line Supervisor of Retail Sales Workers — $51,440
- Retail Salesperson — $36,540
- Cashier — $35,280
Office and Administrative Support Occupations
- Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks — $50,230
- Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive — $48,880
- Customer Service Representative — $45,790
- Office Clerks, General — $42,840
Transportation and Material Moving Occupations
- Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Driver — $57,900
- Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand — $43,780
- Stocker and Order Filler — $40,680