Maine · 2026 Federal Benchmarks

Cost of Living in Auburn, ME

The median household in Auburn, ME earns $66,647 a year ($5,554/month) according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS data. Benchmark 2-bedroom rent is $1,586/month under HUD Fair Market Rents, requiring an annual income of at least $63,440 under the federal 30% housing rule, with overall consumer prices sitting 5.3% below the national baseline.

Key Economic Benchmarks

Median Household Income

$66,647$5,554 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-Bedroom Rent$1,586HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price Parity (RPP)94.7-5.3% vs national baseline
Electricity Rate29.6¢per kWh · EIA Residential ME
Census Population24,602Official resident count

Fair market rent & 30% rule in Auburn, ME

Official HUD Fair Market Rents evaluated against local household income benchmarks.

Affordable (< 30% of income)
HUD Fair Market Rent$1,586Monthly market rent
Share of gross income28.6%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$63,440To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$1,666At 30% of $66,647
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Auburn, ME

Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Lewiston-Auburn, ME MSA. Under the federal 30% housing affordability standard, housing costs are sustainable when they consume 30% or less of gross household income.

HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent Schedule for Auburn, ME
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$1,140$13,680$45,60020.5%
1-Bedroom Apartment$1,218$14,616$48,72021.9%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$1,586$19,032$63,44028.6%
3-Bedroom Home$2,050$24,600$82,00036.9%
4-Bedroom Home$2,305$27,660$92,20041.5%

See dedicated rental breakdown for Auburn, ME →

50/30/20 Living Budget in Auburn, ME

Based on the local median household income of $66,647/year ($5,554/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:

Needs (50%)$2,777/moRent ($1,586 2-BR), utilities (~$266/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$1,666/moDiscretionary spending: dining, leisure, recreation at 94.7 RPP price level
Savings & Debt (20%)$1,111/moEmergency fund, 401(k), IRA retirement, student loan and debt reduction

Take-Home Pay & Tax Explorer in Maine

Explore net income after federal income tax, FICA, and Maine state income tax based on the local median baseline.

$66,647
$25,000$135,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$66,647
Net 79%
Fed 9%
ME 4%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$52,895After all taxes
Monthly deposit$4,408Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$2,034Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate20.6%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$5,832 / yr
Maine state income tax$2,821 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$5,098 / yr

Compare earnings and living costs across Maine with official federal datasets:

Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Auburn, ME

What is the median household income in Auburn, ME?

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Auburn, ME is $66,647 per year (approximately $5,554 per month).

What is the average rent in Auburn, ME?

According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Auburn, ME are $1,140 for a studio, $1,218 for 1 bedroom, $1,586 for 2 bedrooms, $2,050 for 3 bedrooms, and $2,305 for 4 bedrooms.

How does the cost of living in Auburn, ME compare to the national average?

Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Auburn, ME is 94.7 (5.3% lower than the U.S. national baseline of 100.0).

How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in Auburn, ME?

Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($1,586/month) in Auburn, ME requires a minimum gross household income of $63,440 per year ($5,287 per month).

What is a balanced 50/30/20 monthly budget in Auburn, ME?

For a typical household earning the median income of $66,647/year ($5,554/month) in Auburn, ME, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $2,777/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,666/month to discretionary spending, and $1,111/month to savings and debt repayment.

What are typical electricity and utility costs in Auburn, ME?

Residential electricity rates in Maine average 29.6¢ per kWh according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). For an average home using 900 kWh per month, the estimated electric bill is approximately $266 per month.