Housing affordability index in Maine

Housing affordability index in Maine: puts one number on the housing question: 22.8% of the state's median household income goes to principal and interest on a median-priced home at today's rate.

30-year fixed rate used: 6.76% (observed 2026-09-10, FRED MORTGAGE30US).

Share of income

22.8%

principal + interest

Monthly payment

$1,322

on a $254,451 home

Median income

$69,684

households, ACS 5-year

Housing affordability index in Maine: counties ranked, least affordable first
RankCountyShare of incomeMonthly P&I
1Cumberland County26.5%$1,937
2York County25.3%$1,680
3Lincoln County24.7%$1,436
4Hancock County24.4%$1,303
5Knox County23.6%$1,355
6Sagadahoc County21.6%$1,395
7Waldo County20.9%$1,094
8Androscoggin County20.5%$1,100
9Oxford County20.1%$918
10Kennebec County19.9%$1,030
11Franklin County18.7%$886
12Penobscot County18.5%$918
13Somerset County17.5%$782
14Piscataquis County16.6%$716
15Washington County16.3%$703
16Aroostook County15.4%$651

Methodology

Every county figure for Maine uses the county's own median home value and median household income from the Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates, a 20% deposit, and the current 30-year fixed rate from FRED (MORTGAGE30US) amortised over 30 years.

The share shown is annualised principal and interest divided by median household income. Property tax, insurance and HOA dues are excluded so the comparison between counties stays like-for-like.

Counties without both a published home value and a published income are left out entirely rather than filled with an estimate, so the table is shorter than the county list in some states.

Sources: FRED series MORTGAGE30US, Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey; U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates. American Community Survey 5-year estimates, 2022.