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City Report · ME

Rockland

Pop. 7,035·17th most expensive in Maine·Rents have been falling, good time to negotiate
Median rent (all units)
$1,688/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
-4.9%
vs US Median
-$274
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Rockland · $1,688
More affordable than 62% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Affordability
36% of income
MODERATE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,688/mo, rent takes about 36% of the local median household income, slightly above the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$68,000/yr
Local median income
$56,533/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Rockland's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$810
1 BR
$910
2 BR
$1,080
3 BR
$1,350
4 BR+
$1,650
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$1,080/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,688 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
$20,256/yr
At $1,688/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Renter's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are down 0.0% year-over-year. Push hard on price, concessions, and lease terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+0.0% YoY, -4.9% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Rockland, ME is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, has a median income below the national average, 35.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
7,035
Median income
$56,533
Median age
49.3
Renters
38%
Age distribution
15.5%
21.7%
19.7%
17.9%
25.4%
Under 1815.5%
18–3421.7%
35–5419.7%
55–6417.9%
65+25.4%
Gender
45.6%
54.4%
Male45.6%
Female54.4%
Race & ethnicity
94.1%
White94.1%
Hispanic1.4%
Other4.4%
Education (25+)
28.1%
27.1%
35.6%
No HS diploma9.2%
HS diploma28.1%
Some college27.1%
Bachelor's+35.6%
Housing tenure
62%
38%
Owner62%
Renter38%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Rockland, ME has changed in 5 years

Income
$48,871 → $56,533
up 15.7%
Population
6,977 → 7,035
up 0.8%
Renter share
38.1% → 38%
-0.1 pts
Bachelor's+
35.5% → 35.6%
+0.1 pts
Median age
45.4 → 49.3
+3.9 yrs

Median household income rose from $48,871 to $56,533 between 2021 and 2024, a 15.7% shift.

Community

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

Can you afford rent in Rockland on your salary?

At $1,688/mo, how Rockland rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Rockland rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Rockland

About renting in Rockland, ME

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Rockland is $1,688/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $810/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,080/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $910/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,350/mo.

At 36% of local median household income ($56,533/yr), Rockland ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Rockland an affordable city for renters?

Rockland is considered moderate for renters. At $1,688/mo, rent takes approximately 36% of the local median household income ($56,533/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Rockland slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in Rockland?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $68,000/year (~$33/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,688/mo in Rockland. The local median household income is $56,533/yr, meaning the typical Rockland household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Rockland?

Rent in Rockland has been relatively stable over the past year, with a 0.0% change year over year as of August 2026.

How does Rockland rent compare to other cities in Maine?

Rockland is one of the more affordable cities in Maine for rent, ranking #17 out of 23 tracked cities at $1,688/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Rockland?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Rockland ($1,688/mo): Waterville ($1,377/mo), Bangor ($1,586/mo), Augusta ($1,602/mo).

What percentage of Rockland residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 38% of Rockland households are renters, while 62% are owner-occupied. Rockland leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Rockland rent compare to the national average?

Rockland's median rent of $1,688/mo is $274 (14%) below the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Maine, it ranks #17 out of 23 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
36%
MODERATE

At $1,688/mo, rent takes ~36% of Rockland's median household income ($56,533/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Rockland 36%Benchmark 30%
State income tax5.8–7.15%
Run the Rockland affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Rockland, ME

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