Cost of Living in Lincoln, ME
Population 4,857 · Maine · Data vintage 2023
(100 = US avg)
Lincoln sits on the smaller end of the Maine city distribution. That scale shapes the housing market, the labor pool, and the services available to residents in ways the data below makes visible. Unemployment has stayed elevated relative to the national figure — 6.4% as of the most recent ACS release — which shows up in household-income and poverty figures as well.
Located 220 miles northeast of Manchester, Lincoln is far enough out that local conditions diverge meaningfully from the big-metro baseline. Median home values run roughly 63% lower than Manchester's $336,000.
Cost Overview
Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.
About the Cost of Living in Lincoln
The median home value in Lincoln is $124,600 — 59% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $643/month, 51% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $50,961/year is 32% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 6.4%, above the national average of 4.8%. Maine's top state income tax rate is 7.2% and the combined sales tax is 5.5%. The climate averages highs of 52.8°F and lows of 32.7°F. Overall, Lincoln has a cost of living index of 44 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 56% less expensive.
Lincoln has limited residential data
Detailed housing and income data is limited for this location. Here are the nearest cities with full cost of living data:
🏠 Housing
HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom
💰 Estimated Monthly Budget
Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.
🛒 Food & Groceries
National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.
🚗 Transportation
Commute Mode
⚡ Utilities
📋 Taxes
💼 Income & Employment
🎓 Education
👥 Demographics
🌤 Climate
NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | 25 | 28 | 38 | 51 | 65 | 74 | 79 | 78 | 69 | 56 | 42 | 31 |
| Low °F | 6 | 7 | 18 | 30 | 42 | 52 | 57 | 55 | 47 | 37 | 27 | 15 |
| Precip" | 2.70 | 2.13 | 2.97 | 3.51 | 3.42 | 4.20 | 4.16 | 3.80 | 3.61 | 4.55 | 4.10 | 3.45 |
💨 Air Quality
EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data
🏫 Schools
NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of living in Lincoln, ME?
Lincoln has a cost index of 44 (100 = national average). It is 56% below the national average.
What is average rent in Lincoln, ME?
The median gross rent in Lincoln is $643 per month based on 2023 Census data.
What is the average home price in Lincoln?
The median home value in Lincoln is $124,600 according to 2023 Census ACS data.
What is the median income in Lincoln?
The median household income in Lincoln is $50,961 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).
What is the sales tax in Lincoln, ME?
The combined state and local sales tax rate in Lincoln is 5.5%. The Maine state income tax top rate is 7.2%.
Is Lincoln, ME affordable?
Yes, Lincoln is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 44 — about 56% below the US national average of 100.
What is the weather like in Lincoln?
Lincoln has average high temperatures of 52.8°F and average lows of 32.7°F. Annual precipitation is 42.6". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.
Lincoln at a Glance
- Population
- 4,857
- Median Income
- $50,961
- Home Value
- $124,600
- Median Rent
- $643/mo
- Unemployment
- 6.4%
- Avg High Temp
- 52.8°F
- Sales Tax
- 5.5%
Nearby Cities
Explore county-level cost of living data
Maine Rankings
Similar Cost Cities
Cities in other states with comparable housing costs