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City Report · ME

Sanford

Pop. 22,247·16th most expensive in Maine·Rental market data updated monthly for Sanford, ME
Median rent (all units)
$1,768/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
+5.2%
vs US Median
-$194
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Sanford · $1,768
More affordable than 56% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Affordability
29% of income
AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,768/mo, rent takes about 29% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$71,000/yr
Local median income
$72,524/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Sanford's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,070
1 BR
$1,210
2 BR
$1,490
3 BR
$1,970
4 BR+
$2,170
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$1,490/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,768 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
$21,216/yr
At $1,768/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 0.0% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+0.0% YoY, +5.2% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Sanford, ME is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, 24.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
22,247
Median income
$72,524
Median age
42.1
Renters
28.8%
Age distribution
19.3%
21%
23.1%
15.8%
20.8%
Under 1819.3%
18–3421%
35–5423.1%
55–6415.8%
65+20.8%
Gender
49%
51%
Male49%
Female51%
Race & ethnicity
89.5%
White89.5%
Black1.3%
Hispanic2.5%
Asian2.4%
Other4.4%
Education (25+)
32.8%
33.7%
24.8%
No HS diploma8.7%
HS diploma32.8%
Some college33.7%
Bachelor's+24.8%
Housing tenure
71.2%
28.8%
Owner71.2%
Renter28.8%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Sanford, ME has changed in 5 years

Income
$65,671 → $72,524
up 10.4%
Population
21,812 → 22,247
up 2.0%
Renter share
34% → 28.8%
-5.2 pts
Bachelor's+
22.2% → 24.8%
+2.6 pts
Median age
39.7 → 42.1
+2.4 yrs

Census figures show median household income at $72,524 today, compared with $65,671 five years earlier. Headcount in the area went from 21,812 to 22,247 between 2021 and 2024, a 2.0% change. About 28.8% of households rent today, against 34% in 2021. Educational attainment has shifted as well, with the share of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher climbed from 22.2% to 24.8%.

Community

Discussions about Sanford

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

Can you afford rent in Sanford on your salary?

At $1,768/mo, how Sanford rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Sanford rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Sanford

About renting in Sanford, ME

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Sanford is $1,768/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,070/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,490/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,210/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,970/mo.

At 29% of local median household income ($72,524/yr), Sanford ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Sanford an affordable city for renters?

Sanford is considered affordable for renters. At $1,768/mo, rent takes approximately 29% of the local median household income ($72,524/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Sanford falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Sanford?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $71,000/year (~$34/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,768/mo in Sanford. The local median household income is $72,524/yr, meaning the typical Sanford household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Sanford?

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

How does Sanford rent compare to other cities in Maine?

Sanford is one of the more affordable cities in Maine for rent, ranking #16 out of 23 tracked cities at $1,768/mo.

What percentage of Sanford residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 28.8% of Sanford households are renters, while 71.2% are owner-occupied. Sanford leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Sanford rent compare to the national average?

Sanford's median rent of $1,768/mo is $194 (10%) below the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Maine, it ranks #16 out of 23 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
29%
AFFORDABLE

At $1,768/mo, rent takes ~29% of Sanford's median household income ($72,524/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Sanford 29%Benchmark 30%
State income tax5.8–7.15%
Run the Sanford affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

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Schools nearby

Public schools near Sanford, ME

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