Cost to Own
United States › Maine › Androscoggin County › Auburn Population 24,294 Data vintage ACS 2023 5-Year Rates updated 2026-10-29
The part nobody budgets Even with the mortgage fully paid off, the median home here still costs $837 a month in taxes, insurance, utilities and upkeep. See the full Androscoggin County picture

Total monthly cost of ownership

Cost to Own a Home in Auburn, Maine

A $255,000 home here costs

$2,227

per month, all in, with 20% down at today's 7.24% 30-year fixed rate. By the 28% rule that takes a household income of about $95,500 a year.

P&I 62%Tax 14%Insurance 3%Utilities 11%Upkeep 10%

A standard mortgage calculator would have told you $1,390. The real number is $837 higher every month, 60% more than the payment most buyers budget for.

Compare Androscoggin County with anywhere in America · full county breakdown

Auburn median: $254,600
Under 20% adds PMI
Freddie Mac PMMS
ME average household

Where every dollar goes

Only the first line is a mortgage payment. Change any assumption above and every figure below recalculates.

Principal & interest30-year fixed, $204,000 borrowed $1,390
Property tax1.432% effective rate for Auburn itself $304
Homeowners insuranceMaine averages $996/yr (NAIC), or 0.356% of home value $76
Electricity32.11ยข/kWh, Maine residential average, EIA $177
Water, sewer & trashUS household average $68
Maintenance reserve1% of home value per year $213
Total monthly $2,227

Auburn against Androscoggin County and Maine

MeasureAuburnAndroscoggin County
Median home value$254,600$232,000
Median property tax$3,647$2,913
Effective tax rate1.432%1.256%
Median gross rent$983$966
Population24,294112,323

The weather behind that power bill

Auburn sits in Androscoggin County, which averages a high of 79.9°F in its hottest month and a low of 11.6°F in its coldest, with 45.18" of precipitation a year and 29% of it in a single three-month stretch. That climate drives 485 cooling and 7,271 heating degree days, which is what sets the $177 electricity line above.

See the full climate breakdown for Androscoggin County , month by month temperatures, rainy season timing, snowfall and heating and cooling costs.

Other cities in Androscoggin County

Full Androscoggin County cost breakdown · Every county in Maine

Talk to someone who works this market

These are Auburn averages. What one specific house costs to own, or what it would sell for today, depends on the street and the condition of the place. We will connect you with one licensed local agent who works Auburn every week. Free, no obligation, and we never sell your details to a list.

I'm looking to buy in Auburn I already own here and may sell

Common questions

How much does it cost to own a home in Auburn?

A $255,000 home in Auburn, Maine costs approximately $2,227 per month with 20% down at 7.24%. That is $1,390 principal and interest, $304 property tax, $76 homeowners insurance, $245 utilities and $213 set aside for maintenance.

What is the property tax rate in Auburn?

Auburn has an effective property tax rate of 1.432%, based on a median home value of $254,600 and median real estate taxes of $3,647. That is higher than the Androscoggin County average of 1.256%.

What is the average home price in Auburn?

The median owner-occupied home value in Auburn, Maine is $254,600, against $232,000 across Androscoggin County.

Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Auburn?

Median gross rent in Auburn is $983 a month, against $2,227 to own the median home all in. Renting costs less month to month here, though renting builds no equity.

What salary do you need to buy a home in Auburn?

Using the standard 28% rule, housing costs at no more than 28% of gross income, buying the median home in Auburn, Maine at today's rate takes a household income of roughly $95,500 a year. That covers the full $2,227 monthly cost, not just the mortgage payment.

Sources & methodology

  • Median home value, real estate taxes, gross rent and population for Auburn, US Census Bureau, American Community Survey ACS 2023 5-Year, place-level tables.
  • Homeowners insurance, NAIC average premium for Maine.
  • Electricity price, EIA Electric Power Monthly Table 5.6.A.
  • Mortgage rate, Freddie Mac PMMS, refreshed weekly.
  • Maintenance (1%/yr) and water and sewer ($68/mo) are national estimates. Every assumption above is editable.

Full methodology