Maine · 2026 Federal Benchmarks

Cost of Living in Lewiston, ME

The median household in Lewiston, ME earns $55,393 a year ($4,616/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

$55,393$4,616 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 Population38,324Official resident count

Fair market rent & 30% rule in Lewiston, ME

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

Moderate cost burden (30–50%)
HUD Fair Market Rent$1,586Monthly market rent
Share of gross income34.4%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$63,440To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$1,385At 30% of $55,393
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Lewiston, 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 Lewiston, ME
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$1,140$13,680$45,60024.7%
1-Bedroom Apartment$1,218$14,616$48,72026.4%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$1,586$19,032$63,44034.4%
3-Bedroom Home$2,050$24,600$82,00044.4%
4-Bedroom Home$2,305$27,660$92,20049.9%

See dedicated rental breakdown for Lewiston, ME →

50/30/20 Living Budget in Lewiston, ME

Based on the local median household income of $55,393/year ($4,616/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:

Needs (50%)$2,308/moRent ($1,586 2-BR), utilities (~$266/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$1,385/moDiscretionary spending: dining, leisure, recreation at 94.7 RPP price level
Savings & Debt (20%)$923/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.

$55,393
$20,000$115,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$55,393
Net 81%
Fed 8%
ME 4%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$44,627After all taxes
Monthly deposit$3,719Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,716Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate19.4%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$4,467 / yr
Maine state income tax$2,061 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$4,238 / yr

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Lewiston, ME

What is the median household income in Lewiston, ME?

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Lewiston, ME is $55,393 per year (approximately $4,616 per month).

What is the average rent in Lewiston, ME?

According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Lewiston, 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 Lewiston, ME compare to the national average?

Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Lewiston, 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 Lewiston, ME?

Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($1,586/month) in Lewiston, 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 Lewiston, ME?

For a typical household earning the median income of $55,393/year ($4,616/month) in Lewiston, ME, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $2,308/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,385/month to discretionary spending, and $923/month to savings and debt repayment.

What are typical electricity and utility costs in Lewiston, 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.