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MarketsMaineAugustaCost of Living & Affordability

Cost of Living & Affordability: Augusta, ME

Updated 2026 · Based on median market data for Augusta, ME

Cap Rate
3.20%
Median Price
$305K
Rent/Mo
$1,420
1% Rule
0.47%
Fails

Housing Affordability

Augusta's price-to-income ratio is 6.4x — homes cost 6.4 times the local median household income of $47,867. Housing is stretched relative to local incomes. Many workers are effectively priced out of buying, creating deep rental demand. This is favorable for landlords but also means your tenants may be more cost-sensitive.

Rent vs Buy Analysis

A typical mortgage payment on a median-priced home in Augusta (20% down at 7%) is approximately $2,028/mo for principal and interest alone — add taxes and insurance and the all-in payment reaches roughly $2,460. The median rent of $1,420/mo is significantly less than buying — this rent-vs-buy gap is one of the strongest indicators of sustainable rental demand. When renting is cheaper than buying, the renter pool stays deep and vacancy stays low.

Income & Employment

The median household income in Augusta is $47,867, with a population of 50,000 growing at 0.3% per year. Augusta is a smaller market. Research the local employment base carefully — smaller cities can be significantly impacted by a single employer's decisions.

What This Means for Investors

The stretched affordability means strong rental demand, but tight margins require precision. Target below-median prices where rents are still strong, or use value-add strategies to force equity and improve cash flow.

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How Augusta Compares

Augusta vs Maine state average and national average across key investment metrics. Augusta's cap rate is below both benchmarks — deal sourcing is critical here.

Metric
Augusta
Maine Avg
National Avg
Cap Rate
3.20%
3.50%
3.81%
Median Price
$305K
$351K
$333K
Median Rent
$1,420
$1,685
$1,524
Property Tax
1.3%
1.3%
1.08%
Vacancy
5.1%
5.1%
5.6%
Pop. Growth
0.3%/yr
0.3%/yr
0.9%/yr

Nearby Northeast Markets

City
Cap Rate
Price
Rent
Tax
Augusta, ME
3.2%
$305K
$1,420
1.3%
Lebanon, PA
2.9%
$305K
$1,370
1.38%
Reading, PA
3.2%
$300K
$1,460
1.42%
York, PA
2.9%
$300K
$1,360
1.38%
Harrisburg, PA
3.1%
$300K
$1,410
1.4%

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Augusta affordable for renters?
Renters in Augusta spend approximately 36% of median household income on rent. This exceeds the 30% affordability threshold, meaning housing costs are stretched relative to local incomes. The median household income is $47,867, below the level needed for comfortable renting.
What is the price-to-income ratio in Augusta?
Augusta's price-to-income ratio is 6.4x, meaning homes cost 6.4 times the local median income. This is elevated — most residents find buying difficult, supporting deep rental demand.
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Augusta?
A mortgage payment (20% down, 7% rate) on the median $305K home is approximately $1,623/mo before taxes and insurance. Adding those costs brings it to roughly $2,055/mo. The median rent of $1,420/mo is less than the cost of buying — this gap supports continued rental demand.
How does Augusta's cost of living compare to the national average?
Home prices in Augusta ($305K) are 9% below the national average. Rents ($1,420/mo) are 7% below average. Property taxes (1.3%) are above the 1.08% national average.
Full Augusta Analysis →Cap Rate CalculatorBRRRR Calculator

Explore Augusta & Related Markets

More Augusta Guides

Rental Property Investment GuideRent AnalysisProperty Tax GuideAppreciation & Growth ForecastNeighborhood Investment Guide

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