The 10 Best Places To Live In Maine In 2023

The 10 best places to live In Maine for 2023

Westbrook is a top-notch suburb of Portland whose growing business base is making it more and more a distinct city in its own right. As a designated Main Street community, you won’t find many big-name corporations in Westbrook; shopping locally is definitely part of the ethos here. Catching a concert at the Waterfront Rock Row venue is a great thing to do on weekends, without the hassle of finding parking at venues in Portland. If your goal is just getting out in nature, the Westbrook Riverwalk along the Presumpscot River is easily accessible. Mill Brook Preserve’s five miles of trails is another good option if you don’t mind driving a few miles to get there.

Housing in Westbrook is about 15% more expensive than the Maine average, with the 5th priciest homes statewide at around $253,900 and rentals going for around $1,094/month. But those higher prices reflect the demand for what Westbrook offers: safe streets, stellar schools, and a solid job market.

If you are making the move to Westbrook, we recommend doing it fast; the secret is out and Westbrook is now Maine’s fastest-growing city, adding roughly 6% to its ranks since 2010.

More on Westbrook: Real Estate | Crime Report | Cost Of Living

If you want the best of the best that Maine has to offer, look no further than South Portland. The gorgeous coastal walk along the Spring Point Shoreway, the classic New England lighthouse at Bug Light Park, and the small sand and pebble Willard Beach all scream quintessential Maine. And that’s not even getting into the awesomeness of a year-round farmer’s market and easy access to Maine’s most popular mall.

As for the statistical side of things, South Portland shines in every aspect. The lowest poverty level in Maine, a crime rate a quarter of the national average, and one of the greatest rates of health insurance coverage statewide all signal a city that’s got everything under control. The title of 2nd most densely populated city in Maine also means you’ll never be bored in South Portland. If the political affiliation of your neighbors is important to you, you might also make a note that South Portland is the most liberal city in Maine

There is a small hitch here, though. South Portland is one of the pricier cities that Maine has to offer, so be sure to move with some savings or ensure that your household will be able to bring around $73,899/year. When you’re paying the 2nd most for homes in Maine, every penny counts. Rent in South Portland goes for a median price of $1,465/month, which is also the most expensive of anywhere on this list. The good news is that while the cost of living in South Portland is slightly higher than Maine, it’s almost entirely due to the higher housing costs.

More on South Portland: Real Estate | Crime Report | Cost Of Living

Saco is located between Biddeford to the west and seven miles of sandy ocean beaches to the east. Ferry Beach State Park is the most popular of those beaches for locals and visitors alike. If the kids find beaches too boring, you can crank the entertainment levels up to 11 at Funtown Splashtown USA, Maine’s largest water and amusement park. Following that with some ice cream and a movie at the historic Saco Drive-In is sure to make for one of the most wholesome days of your life.

Saco has an unemployment rate of 2.3% and a poverty rate of 9.3%, both of which rank as the 2nd best in Maine. The crime rate in Saco is the 9th lowest in Maine, so you won’t have to worry about criminal activity nearly as much as your neighbors in Biddeford. We just hope you’re ready to rub elbows with the 1%, because Saco has the distinction of being the richest city in Maine. Residents of Saco enjoy a median household income of $72,700/year, the 2nd highest in Maine. Word to the wise, though; these great amenities and big paychecks come with housing costs that outstrip your average city in Maine by about 30%.

More on Saco: Real Estate | Crime Report | Cost Of Living

Hallowell is a small city of 2,542 situated south of Augusta on the banks of the Kennebeck River. Though small in size, Hallowell is big on charm, as anyone who spends some time admiring the city’s 19th-century architecture will quickly learn. Water Street is the city’s main hub of restaurants, shopping, antiques, and old-fashioned candy shops. It’s also home to a lot of artistic activity, between local productions at the Gaslight Theater, art events at the Harlow Gallery, and even clayworks classes for the aspiring novice. And if you’d rather enjoy Maine’s natural beauty, just head over to Vaughan Woods, affectionately nicknamed Hobbit Land.

Hallowell’s home to some great schools that have achieved the 3rd lowest high school dropout rate in the state. That love of learning seems to carry over later in life because over half of Hallowell’s adult population has a college degree, and about 20% have a master’s degree or higher. This helps explain Hallowell’s status of the 9th best-paid place in Maine, with a median household income of $57,250/year. And it’s not like Hallowell’s elites are leaving their neighbors in the dust either; the city has a poverty rate of just 12.4%, the 8th lowest in the state. Smart, cultured individuals without financial troubles rarely see the need to go around committing crimes, so it makes sense that Hallowell also had the lowest crime rate in all of Maine.

More on Hallowell: Real Estate | Crime Report

Augusta may be Maine’s capital, but Maine’s biggest city, Portland, is the real economic and cultural hub of the state. With a heady mix of artistic expression and outdoor adventures, Portland is the perfect balance of style, sophistication, and sincerity. Just be sure to stock up on flannels if you want to fit in here. Downtown Portland is a vibrant and dynamic place that’s just as much fun after 10 years as it is when you first move. Beer-lovers will enjoy seeing how the magic happens at Allagash, while the artsy crowd will be delighted by the ever-changing exhibits at the Portland Museum of Art. The cobblestone streets lined with locally-owned shops and restaurants in the historic Old Port neighborhood are downright delightful, both aesthetically and economically. The walking trails and pristine outdoor spaces of Back Cove neighborhood are probably more tempting for you joggers and cyclists out there. Or if you prefer a quieter neighborhood rich in grandeur, the stately West End ought to suit you just fine.

Portland is the youngest city to make this list, with a median age of just 36. That and all the above-mentioned amenities work together to make Portland the best city for singles in Maine. It’s also a smart city, where about half the population has a college degree and one-fifth of residents have a master’s, PhD, or professional degree to boot. That explains why the city also has the 4th best-paid residents, with your average household bringing in about $66,109/year. And everyone gets in on the good times in Portland because the unemployment rate is the 7th lowest in the state at 4.0%.

There are a few negatives that keep Portland from a higher position on this list. The crime rate is slightly higher than the national average, but if you stick to the right neighborhoods, you should be able to avoid that hassle. Of course, sticking to the right neighborhoods isn’t cheap; home prices in Portland are the most expensive statewide, with a median price of $341,700. That and a high median rent of $1,278/month work to make Portland the most expensive place in Maine, with a cost of living 15% higher than the national average.

More on Portland: Real Estate | Crime Report | Cost Of Living

Located about 40 minutes northeast of Portland, Bath comes in as the 6th best place to call home in Maine. If you’re new in town, we recommend visiting the Maine Maritime Museum to learn more about Maine’s heritage and culture. Tourists flock from all over to admire the 19th century architecture and local shops in downtown Bath. And if you’re looking for reasons why we named Bath one of Maine’s best family cities, look no further than the constant events going on at the Chocolate Church Art Center. A bonus reason would be the strong 8.5/10 education score we gave Bath on our SnackAbility scale.

Housing costs in Bath are roughly 5% lower than the statewide average, with rent costing about $909/month, about half the average rent in Maine and homes going for a median price of $211,800. You won’t have to worry about getting the bills paid in Bath, because the unemployment rate is just 3.6%, the 6th lowest in Maine. Of course, that helps cut down on crime and poverty, both of which rank in the top ten statewide.

More on Bath: Real Estate | Crime Report | Cost Of Living

Located about 25 miles southeast of Bangor, Ellsworth comes in as the 7th best place to live in Maine. If you’re an outdoor enthusiast, we won’t have to try very hard to convince you of how sweet life is in Ellsworth. The stunning Acadia National Park is just 25 minutes down the road, so we’d definitely recommend investing in an annual park pass. If you’re looking for more quintessential New England beauty closer to home, the smallmouth bass, pickerel, and white perch fishing at Graham Lake is unbeatable. And you always have a chance to spot a moose at the Birdsacre-Stanwood Wildlife Sanctuary. Don’t worry that all this nature means you’ll be living in the boonies either; between the iconic art deco theatre, The Grand, putting on shows and films, the Old Creamery Antique Mall and countless other hot spots in the downtown area, you can rest assured that you won’t be bored in Ellsworth.

GreatSchools gave Ellsworth’s public schools an average score of 7/10, so your kiddos will get off on the right foot here. Poverty and unemployment rates both rank in the top ten statewide, meaning there’s a strong economic base as well. Homes go for the moderate price of $174,200 and you can find a spot to rent for around $827/month. Ellsworth residents also have the 7th highest median household income in the state at $58,029/year, so paying for that housing is a breeze.

More on Ellsworth: Real Estate | Crime Report | Cost Of Living

The last stop on our tour of the best places to live in Maine is Rockland, a city of 6,977 located along the southern part of West Penobscot Bay. Fans of New England history will certainly want to pay a visit to the Maine Lighthouse Museum, while the rotating exhibitions at the Farnsworth Art Museum will keep art-lovers happy year-round. We just hope you like to party because Rockland hosts the North Atlantic Blues Festival every year. And, of course, the world-famous Maine Lobster Festival is held in Rockland, so expect thousands of out-of-towners to come pouring in come August.

During the festival off-season, Rockland residents enjoy the 2nd shortest commute time in Maine, with drives to and from work taking an average of 14 minutes. Chances are you won’t get attacked walking to your car, either, because Rockland also had the 6th lowest violent crime rate in Maine. The last perk of Rockland is its affordability. Housing costs roughly 10% less than the statewide average, with homes going for $173,600 and rent for just $834/month.

More on Rockland: Real Estate | Crime Report | Cost Of Living

Caribou, ranked as the number 9 best place to live in Maine, is a hidden gem known for its low cost of living and abundance of outdoor activities. Nestled in Aroostook County, Caribou offers a tight-knit community feel while providing easy access to essential amenities.

Caribou enjoys a wide range of recreational opportunities, with nearby attractions, including the Caribou Ski Area, offering excellent skiing and snowboarding trails during the winter. During the summer, you can explore the vast network of hiking and biking trails in the surrounding area, immersing yourself in the stunning natural beauty of Maine.

More on Caribou: Real Estate | Crime Report | Cost Of Living

Located about an hour south of Bangor at the mouth of the Passagassawakeag River estuary on Belfast Bay, Belfast ranks as the 10th best place to live in Maine. While Portland is the place to be for young folks, Belfast’s slow-paced, relaxed atmosphere reflects its higher median age of 60.

Belfast’s busiest downtown block ends at picturesque Belfast Harborwalk, recently-renovated for easier pedestrian access. The Belfast City Park is another point of pride for residents. And just because winter lasts longer in Maine, doesn’t mean you have to go without fresh fruit and veg; not with a local farmer’s market that operates year-round.

Belfast residents enjoy the 10th highest median household income in Maine at $55,900/year. If you’re older and have plenty of money, there’s no point in committing a crime. That plays out in Belfast, where the crime rate is the 2nd lowest in the state and is about 45% less frequent than the national average. Belfast’s only downside is a relatively high unemployment rate of 7.5%, but that’s easily remedied by locking down a job before you make the move.

More on Belfast: Real Estate | Crime Report | Cost Of Living

Methodology: How We Calculated The Best Cities To Live In Maine

Now that we had our set of the best possible cities, it was time to rank them.

We ranked each place in Maine across a number of criteria from one to 20, with one being the best.

We then took the average rank across all criteria, with the city posting the lowest overall score being crowned the winner of the title “Best Place To Live In Maine”.

The criteria we looked to determine the best places were:

• Median Home Values
• Median Income
• Population Density (Higher better)
• Unemployment Rate
• Commute Time
• Crime
• Education Levels
• Health Insurance Coverage
• Poverty rates

Sources of criteria include the New Census Data and FBI Crime Data. You can download the best places data here.

After the dust settled, what was the best place to live in Maine? That would be Westbrook.

If your city or town isn’t among the top 10, jump down to the bottom of the post to see a detailed chart of the best places in Maine.

Otherwise, buckle up for a ride down good living lane with Westbrook at the end of the cul-de-sac.