Where is the cheapest part of Maine to live?

The cheapest parts of Maine are inland and rural locations, where a one-bedroom rental drops to $800 to $1,000 per month. Portland and the southern coast carry the clear premium, with one-bedrooms there running $1,200 to $1,400. Smaller inland towns generally fall closer to the rural figure than the Portland one. The trade-offs to weigh: rural Maine is heavily car-dependent, transport costs add up over distance, and heating bills run higher through the long winters. For the state-level breakdown including utilities, food, and transport context, see our Maine cost of living guide.