At $1,706/mo, rent takes about 31% of the local median household income, slightly above the 30% benchmark.
Rent by unit size
These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,706 market median above, and that is expected: FMR is the 40th percentile of standard-quality units and counts gross rent, so it includes essential utilities such as electricity, water, gas, sewer, and trash. The market median is asking rent, which usually excludes utilities. HUD sets FMR once a year; market rent here updates monthly.
Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents. Read the methodology →
12-month history
Last updated: October 17, 2026
What the numbers show
Rent in Auburn changed +4.2% over the year to September 2026. Across the 14 Maine cities Zillow tracks, the typical change was +3.0%.
Rent has risen 6 months in a row, and rose in 9 of the last 12 months.
30% of the median household income ($66,647) is $1,666 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 3-bedroom ($1,640); a 4-bedroom is $1,820.
Lewiston, 4 miles away, rents for 11% less ($1,518/mo), about $2,300 a year in savings.
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Auburn. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.
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Who lives here
Auburn, ME is majority owner-occupied, 27.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Auburn, ME has changed in 5 years
Median household income grew from $55,402 to $66,647 between 2021 and 2024, a 20.3% shift. Headcount in the area went from 23,790 to 24,602 between 2021 and 2024, a 3.4% change.
Discussions about Auburn
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Can you afford rent in Auburn on your salary?
At $1,706/mo, how Auburn rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Auburn rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Auburn. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Auburn
Last updated: October 17, 2026
The median rent in Auburn is $1,706/mo as of October 2026. A studio apartment averages $890/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,250/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $980/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,640/mo.
At 31% of local median household income ($66,647/yr), Auburn ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 4.2% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
How much income do you need to rent in Auburn?
Is rent going up or down in Auburn?
How does Auburn rent compare to other cities in Maine?
Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Auburn?
At $1,706/mo, rent takes ~31% of Auburn's median household income ($66,647/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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