| Index | Lewiston | Maine | National |
| Cost of living | 97 | 100 | 100 |
| Groceries | 103 | 103 | 100 |
| Health care | 102 | 101 | 100 |
| Housing | 83 | 91 | 100 |
| Transportation | 104 | 103 | 100 |
| Utilities | 105 | 108 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 101 | 103 | 100 |
| Household Items | 103 | 103 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 105 | 106 | 100 |
Getting a feel for the cost of living in Lewiston is essential for anyone planning to relocate, as it empowers them to make informed financial decisions, secure a comfortable lifestyle and maintain financial stability in their new environment. The cost of living in Lewiston is 97, which is 3% lower than the national average. Relocating individuals may need to adjust their savings and investment strategies based on the cost of living in the new location. It influences decisions about retirement planning, investments and financial goals.
The cost of living in Lewiston is about average when compared to all other cities across the nation. You can expect that everyday items like food, household expenses and utility bills will be no more expensive than any other average city. Residents can anticipate living expenses that remain in line with the national average, ensuring a manageable financial burden, making it an attractive choice for those seeking affordability without the constraints of higher everyday expenditures.
Is Lewiston an affordable place to live? It's a good question and one that you might want to ask when considering any new city, as affordability can play a huge role in the decision making process. The cost of living index (which we covered above), as well as housing costs and income levels play a vital role in determining the affordability of an area. The median home price in Lewiston is 15.4% lower than the national average, while the average monthly rent prices are 21.5% lower than average. The affordability of any location can also be influenced by median income levels. Lewiston has a median household income of $63,768, which is 21.6% lower than the national average.
Subsidies: Some areas might offer government subsidies or assistance programs that help lower cost of living for residents. These programs can include anything from Medicare, Medicaid, housing subsidies, low-income home energy assistance programs, school lunch programs, supplemental nutrition assistance programs, student loans, electric vehicle tax credits, affordable care act subsidies and crop subsidies. Areas that offer less subsidies, could see an increase in their cost of living.
Transportation: If public transportation is limited or not available, residents may need to own and maintain vehicles, which can add to the cost of living. Gas, insurance, regular maintenance and potentially lease or finance payments will all need to be paid on a monthly basis. In Lewiston, the transportation index is 3.9% higher than the national average.
Housing: When there's a high demand for housing in trendy places, it can cause property prices and rental rates to soar, leading to a significantly higher cost of living. Conversely, in less desirable locations, where demand is low, prices tend to decrease, resulting in a more budget-friendly cost of living. In Lewiston, the housing index is 17.2% lower than the national average.
The cost of living data for Lewiston shown above is based on a U.S. average baseline score of 100, making it easier to compare how far your dollar may go from one city to another. Housing uses U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all remaining values are AI-assisted estimates informed by regional pricing, climate, transportation dynamics, and local economic factors. These scores are best used for directional comparisons between cities.
| Cost of living index | |
| Groceries index | |
| Health care index | |
| Housing index | |
| Transportation index | |
| Utilities index | |
| Lifestyle index | |
| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $96,864 | $8,072 | $2,260 | $2,906 |
| Renters | $43,616 | $3,635 | $1,018 | $1,309 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| Maine | 5.5% | 5.5% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| Maine | 5.8% | 7.15% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| South Paris, ME | 1,898 | 93 | 6.8% |
| Mechanic Falls, ME | 2,187 | 97 | 3.4% |
| Lisbon Falls, ME | 4,167 | 98 | 2.0% |
| Auburn, ME | 23,804 | 101 | 0.5% |
| Gray, ME | 765 | 107 | 6.9% |
| Lewiston, ME | 37,532 | 97 | 2.9% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Holly Springs, NC | 37,538 | 124 | 23.8% |
| Phenix City, AL | 37,524 | 90 | 9.9% |
| Dunedin, FL | 37,553 | 108 | 8.4% |
| Portage, IN | 37,504 | 94 | 5.6% |
| Roseville, MN | 37,577 | 112 | 11.7% |
| Lewiston, ME | 37,532 | 97 | 2.9% |
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