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City Report · ME

Auburn

Pop. 24,602·20th most expensive in Maine·Rental market data updated monthly for Auburn, ME
Median rent (all units)
$1,581/mo
Year-over-Year
-0.9%
Month-over-Month
+5.2%
vs US Median
-$381
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Auburn · $1,581
More affordable than 71% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Affordability
28% of income
AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,581/mo, rent takes about 28% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$63,000/yr
Local median income
$66,647/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Auburn's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$890
1 BR
$980
2 BR
$1,250
3 BR
$1,640
4 BR+
$1,820
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$1,250/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,581 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 →

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: August 17, 2026

Annual cost
$18,972/yr
At $1,581/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 0.9% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (-0.9% YoY, +5.2% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Auburn, ME is majority owner-occupied, 27.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
24,602
Median income
$66,647
Median age
41.4
Renters
40.9%
Age distribution
21.4%
20.9%
23.7%
14.2%
19.8%
Under 1821.4%
18–3420.9%
35–5423.7%
55–6414.2%
65+19.8%
Gender
48.8%
51.2%
Male48.8%
Female51.2%
Race & ethnicity
89.7%
White89.7%
Black3.6%
Hispanic3%
Asian1.3%
Other2.5%
Education (25+)
34.1%
30.9%
27.8%
No HS diploma7.1%
HS diploma34.1%
Some college30.9%
Bachelor's+27.8%
Housing tenure
59.1%
40.9%
Owner59.1%
Renter40.9%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How Auburn, ME has changed in 5 years

Income
$55,402 → $66,647
up 20.3%
Population
23,790 → 24,602
up 3.4%
Renter share
42% → 40.9%
-1.1 pts
Bachelor's+
28.6% → 27.8%
-0.8 pts
Median age
39.4 → 41.4
+2.0 yrs

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.

Community

Discussions about Auburn

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View Auburn rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Auburn on your salary?

At $1,581/mo, how Auburn rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Auburn rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Auburn. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Auburn

About renting in Auburn, ME

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Auburn is $1,581/mo as of August 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 28% of local median household income ($66,647/yr), Auburn ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have decreased 0.9% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Auburn an affordable city for renters?

Auburn is considered affordable for renters. At $1,581/mo, rent takes approximately 28% of the local median household income ($66,647/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Auburn falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Auburn?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $63,000/year (~$30/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,581/mo in Auburn. The local median household income is $66,647/yr, meaning the typical Auburn household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Auburn?

Rent in Auburn has decreased 0.9% over the past year as of August 2026, offering some relief compared to 12 months ago.

How does Auburn rent compare to other cities in Maine?

Auburn is one of the more affordable cities in Maine for rent, ranking #20 out of 23 tracked cities at $1,581/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Auburn?

Lewiston is nearby and more affordable at $1,529/mo, which is $52 less than Auburn.

What percentage of Auburn residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 40.9% of Auburn households are renters, while 59.1% are owner-occupied. Auburn leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Auburn rent compare to the national average?

Auburn's median rent of $1,581/mo is $381 (19%) below the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Maine, it ranks #20 out of 23 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
28%
AFFORDABLE

At $1,581/mo, rent takes ~28% of Auburn's median household income ($66,647/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Auburn 28%Benchmark 30%
State income tax5.8–7.15%
Run the Auburn affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in Auburn
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Auburn, ME

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