Skyline of Lewiston
Cost of Living: 92 37,000

Lewiston, ME, US

Androscoggin River city with a growing immigrant community and affordable housing.

Updated September 12, 2026

Overview

Lewiston is a city in ME with a population of 37,000. Androscoggin River city with a growing immigrant community and affordable housing. Housing costs are close to the national average. The overall cost of living is below the national average. Gardening thrives here — the 5a growing zone supports Cool — many vegetables, some fruit trees.

Last updated: September 12, 2026

Cost of Living 92

Below Average vs US Avg (100)

Housing Index 95

Affordable

Median Income $50,000

Household income

Unemployment 3.8%

Job market health

Lewiston vs US Average

Cost of Living
Lewiston: 92
US Avg: 100
Housing Index
Lewiston: 95
US Avg: 100
State Income Tax
Lewiston: 7.15%
US Avg: ~5%

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 7.2%
  • Sales Tax: 5.5%

Economy & Jobs

  • Median Income: $50,000
  • Unemployment: 3.8%
  • Population: 37,000

Climate

  • Sunny Days: 190/year
  • Summer High: 80°F
  • Winter Low: 15°F
  • Farming Zone: USDA Zone 5a

Housing

  • Median Home: $220,000
  • 1BR Rent: $1000/mo

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Cost of Living

Lewiston's cost of living index is 92 (US average = 100).

CategoryLewistonNational AverageDifference
Overall92100-8.0%
Housing95100-5.0%

Data source: Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER), 2026

Housing Market

MetricValue
Median Home Price$220,000
Median Rent (1BR)$1000/mo
Median Rent (2BR)$1,250/mo
Price per Sq Ft$146

Data source: Zillow Research, 2026

True Cost of Home Ownership

True Cost of Home Ownership

See what you'll really pay over 30 years

$
%
$90,000 down
%
%
$

Utilities

Estimated monthly utility costs for a typical household in Lewiston:

UtilityEstimated Monthly CostNotes
Electricity$177Based on ~900 kWh/month typical US household usage
Heating & Cooling$162Estimated based on local climate. Gas or electric
Cooling (AC)N/AEstimated based on local climate and electricity rates
Water$60Includes sewer
Internet (100+ Mbps)$75Broadband average
Garbage / TrashIncluded in taxesMunicipal service (covered by property taxes)
Total Utilities$474Monthly estimate (including heating & cooling)

Data sources: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2024, EPA/AWWA water rate surveys, BroadbandNow

Remote Work Score

Lewiston scores —/100 for remote work readiness:

Cost of Living
92
Rent
$1000
Sunny Days
190
Tax
7.15%
Unemployment
3.8%
Climate
80°F / 15°F
Safety
5.8 homicides/100k
Population
37,000
Internet Speed
200 Mbps

Climate

Lewiston has a varied climate with distinct seasons.

MonthAvg HighAvg LowRainfall
January35°F15°F2.5"
April65°F30°F2.8"
July80°F55°F1.5"
October60°F33°F2.2"
USDA Zone 5a

Cool — many vegetables, some fruit trees

Natural Hazards

Lewiston faces the following natural hazards:

Blizzard High Risk

Severe winter storms.

Flood Moderate Risk

Androscoggin River flooding.

Avalanche Moderate Risk

Mountainous region with avalanches.

Hurricane Low Risk

Rarely affected by hurricanes.

Based on historical records and geographic risk assessment.

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 7.15%
  • Sales Tax: 5.5%
  • Property Tax: ~1.36% of assessed value

Economy & Jobs

Major industries include technology, healthcare, education, and manufacturing. The unemployment rate is 3.8%.

Schools & Education

64/100
School Quality Score
Better than 69% of US cities
?
9
Total Schools
7.0:1
Student:Teacher
92.1%
Free/Reduced Lunch

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)

Demographics

The population of Lewiston is diverse. The figures below show the ethnic, educational, and religious composition of the local population.

Ethnicity

Asian
1.7%
Black or African American
10.9%
Hispanic or Latino
3.0%
Native American
0.0%
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander
0.0%
Other
0.2%
Two or more races
4.1%
White
80.1%

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
21.7%
High school graduate
39.5%
Less than high school
10.2%
Some college
28.6%

Religion

Christian
60.0%
Other
7.0%
Unaffiliated
33.0%

Data source: US Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) (2023)

Important Disclaimer: All data on this page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, tax, or real estate advice. URCity and Northshore Press are not financial advisors, tax professionals, or real estate agents. Always consult qualified professionals before making relocation or financial decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Lewiston, ME, US?

The cost of living index in Lewiston is 92, which is Lower the US national average of 100.

How much does it cost to buy a home in Lewiston?

The median home price in Lewiston is $220,000. The housing index is 95.

What is the average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment?

The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Lewiston is approximately $1000/mo.

Does Lewiston, ME have income tax?

Lewiston is in ME, which has an income tax rate of 7.15%.

What is the climate like in Lewiston?

Lewiston enjoys approximately 190 sunny days per year. Summer highs reach around 80°F, while winter lows can drop to around 15°F.

Data Sources

  • Cost of Living: Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER), 2026
  • Housing Data: Zillow Research, 2026
  • Income & Employment: US Census Bureau American Community Survey, 2024
  • Utilities U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2024, EPA/AWWA water rate surveys, BroadbandNow

Data last updated: September 13, 2026. Data may not reflect current market conditions. Always verify with local sources before making relocation decisions.