At $1,795/mo, rent takes about 30% 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 $1,795 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 Sanford changed +5.4% over the year to September 2026. Across the 14 Maine cities Zillow tracks, the typical change was +3.0%.
30% of the median household income ($72,524) is $1,813 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 2-bedroom ($1,490); a 3-bedroom is $1,970.
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Sanford. 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
Sanford, ME is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, 24.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Sanford, ME has changed in 5 years
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%.
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Can you afford rent in Sanford on your salary?
At $1,795/mo, how Sanford rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Sanford rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Sanford. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Sanford
Last updated: October 17, 2026
The median rent in Sanford is $1,795/mo as of October 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 30% of local median household income ($72,524/yr), Sanford ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 5.4% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
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Is rent going up or down in Sanford?
How does Sanford rent compare to other cities in Maine?
At $1,795/mo, rent takes ~30% of Sanford's median household income ($72,524/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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