Lewiston 82 Exceptional
Lewiston Livability #12 ranked city in Maine#1,125 ranked city in the USARanks better than 96% of areas
Is This the Right Place for You? Local Insights Report
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Local Insights Report

Pros and Cons of Living in Lewiston

PROS
  • Amenities Amenities

    Within the vicinity, you'll find a wealth of amenities, from restaurants and coffee shops to grocery stores and local shops, all easily accessible on foot.

  • Commute Commute

    High scores in the commute category could indicate that this area offers short commute times to work and readily available public transportation options.

  • Cost Of Living Cost Of Living

    Residents in this area benefit from an affordable cost of living. This includes goods and services, transportation, housing, utilities, groceries and healthcare.

  • Housing Housing

    The housing category in this area boasts higher than average scores, likely influenced by a positive home affordability ratio, robust appreciation rates or elevated home values.

  • Health & Safety Health & Safety

    Earning a high health and safety score depends on factors such as good air quality and the availability of essential health facilities like hospitals, clinics, doctors, and fire stations.

CONS
  • Employment Employment

    The combination of low income levels and high unemployment rates contributes to a low score in the employment category, which could make it challenging to secure well-paying jobs.

  • Schools Schools

    Factors such as lower than average graduation rates, lackluster reading and math scores and the limited accessibility of local elementary and high schools could contribute to the low schools score.

What's it like Living in Lewiston?

Lewiston, Maine is a mid-sized city with a population of 37,532 inhabitants. If we look at the most recent Census, Lewiston is known to have a predominantly White population. The next two most common races are Black and Asian. Single men and women might be happy to hear that in Lewiston, only 50% of the population is married. Not a fan of sitting in traffic during your commute to work? Lewiston offers shorter work commutes, with an average one-way commute time taking only 20 minutes, far lower than the national average of 26 minutes.

Living in Lewiston can be a great experience for anyone moving to the area. Having said that, in the state of Maine, there are many amazing places to live, so choose wisely! When searching for a new neighborhood, several factors play a vital role in determining its suitability. Safety should be a top priority, ensuring a secure environment with low crime rates. Proximity to your workplace or school helps minimize commuting time and allows for a better work-life balance. Availability of essential amenities such as parks, coffee shops, restaurants, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities contributes to convenience and well-being. Access to reliable public transportation options facilitates easy commuting and connectivity. Additionally, considering the sense of community and the overall atmosphere that resonates with your lifestyle and preferences fosters a harmonious living experience. The best areas in Lewiston and in surrounding cities are easier to find when you are able to make informed decisions. Using data from amenities, education, employment, housing, you will see a detailed breakdown of the most important information as well as comparisons to the Maine and national averages.

Lewiston, ME receives 80 out of 100 for its livability score; this results in a ranking of #13 in Maine and #1,634 in the USA. Pack your bags! This is a very high score in comparison to other US cities. Living in Lewiston could be a great choice! Another exciting tidbit, is that Lewiston ranks better than 90% of all US cities! There are nine total categories that create the livability score. Lewiston scores well for amenities (A+), cost of living (B) and housing (A) There is at least one category that does not have great scores in Lewiston. The following was graded with a less than perfect score: education (F) and employment (D-).

The mantra of real estate, "location, location, location," underscores the importance of where a property is situated, making it a pivotal factor in your quest for a new home. Fortunately, when you're living in Lewiston, you'll discover an abundance of exceptional local amenities and lots of things to do. Among these are conveniently located grocery stores, charming coffee shops, diverse dining options and plenty of spacious parks. These local amenities contribute significantly to its overall appeal, ensuring that your daily needs are met and offering ample opportunities for leisure and recreation. When considering your next move, the thriving local scene in Lewiston undoubtedly enhances its desirability, affirming the significance of its prime location. A few of the enjoyable things to experience and sights to see are: Bates College Museum of Art, The Public Theatre, and Rachel Larrivee Massage Therapy.

Real estate represents the most substantial investment for homebuyers, constituting their most valuable asset. Renters, on the other hand, typically see their monthly rent as their most significant expense. The Lewiston market earns a high score in the housing category, surpassing the national average in factors like home and rental affordability and appreciation rates. This robust real estate market not only benefits individual homeowners and renters but also spurs vigorous local economic activity and job growth, solidifying its significance in driving the region's prosperity and financial well-being.

Assuming that Lewiston meets all of your requirements like low crime rates, good schools and great local amenities, the next most important item to examine is the affordability of real estate in Lewiston. Everything else becomes a lot less important if it turns out that home prices in Lewiston are simply unattainable. The median home price for Lewiston homes is $276,470, which is 11.2% lower than the Maine average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Lewiston, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 4.3, which is 4.9% higher than the Maine average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Lewiston

See all the best places to live around Lewiston

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      Lewiston transportation information

      Statistic Lewiston Maine National
      Average one way commute20min24min26min
      Workers who drive to work72.0%78.2%76.4%
      Workers who carpool14.2%10.1%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit0.3%0.6%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.3%0.4%0.6%
      Workers who walk7.1%4.0%2.8%
      Working from home5.3%5.5%4.6%
      Source: The Lewiston, ME data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) and include 2026 modeled data developed using proprietary methodologies.