Historical data
Pick an indicator to see its long-run evolution.
Median home value
1990–2024Census / Zillow ZHVI, nominal dollars.
Home Prices
Maine home prices rose about 5% year over year in 2024, outpacing many neighboring New England states.
FHFA House Price Index
1975–2025FHFA all-transactions index, annual average of quarters. Source: FHFA via FRED (MESTHPI).
| Indicator | Maine | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Home Price Growth (%) | 5 | 4 |
- •Coastal Maine counties like Cumberland see home prices well above the state median.
Median Home Value
Maine's median home value reached $391,000 in 2024, driven by strong demand for seasonal and coastal properties.
Median value of owner-occupied homes
2008–2024Census American Community Survey 1-year estimates, B25077 (2020 not released).
| Indicator | Maine | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Median Home Value ($k) | 391 | 360.7 |
- •Seasonal homes make up about 16% of Maine's housing stock, the highest share in the U.S.
Rent Prices
The median gross rent in Maine was $1,180 per month in 2023, below the national median.
Rent of primary residence index (Northeast region)
2006–2025BLS CPI-U, Northeast region, annual average (CUUR0100SEHA).
| Indicator | Maine | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Median Rent ($) | 1180 | 1371 |
- •Rent in the Portland metro area is roughly 30% higher than the statewide median.
Housing Inventory
Maine had about 764,000 total housing units in 2023, with roughly 16% classified as seasonal or vacation homes.
Total housing units
2008–2024Census American Community Survey 1-year estimates, B25001 (2020 not released).
Vacant housing units
2008–2024Census American Community Survey 1-year estimates, B25002 (2020 not released).
| Indicator | Maine | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Seasonal Housing Share (%) | 16 | 3.5 |
- •Maine has the highest share of seasonal housing units of any U.S. state.
Building Permits
Maine issued approximately 3,900 new residential building permits in 2023, reflecting modest new construction relative to demand.
New private housing units authorized
1988–2025Census Building Permits Survey, sum of 12 months (FRED MEBPPRIV).
| Indicator | Maine | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Permits per 1,000 residents | 2.8 | 4.2 |
- •New housing construction in Maine lags behind demand, especially in southern coastal counties.
Homeownership Rate
Maine's homeownership rate stood at 76.1% in 2023, among the highest in the nation.
Homeownership rate (CPS/HVS)
1984–2025Census Housing Vacancy Survey, annual (FRED MEHOWN).
| Indicator | Maine | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Homeownership Rate (%) | 76.1 | 65.7 |
- •Maine's homeownership rate has consistently ranked in the top five nationally for over a decade.
Housing Affordability
With a median home value of $391,000 against median household income of $71,773, Maine's price-to-income ratio signals worsening affordability.
Housing price level vs U.S. (RPP rents)
2008–2024BEA Regional Price Parities, housing services (SARPP line 3).
| Indicator | Maine | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Housing price level vs U.S. (RPP rents)2024, BEA Regional Price Parities | 78.9 | 100 |
| Price-to-Income Ratio | 5.4 | 4.7 |
- •Nearly 3 in 10 Maine households are considered cost-burdened by housing expenses.
Vacancy Rate
Maine's overall housing vacancy rate was about 18.9% in 2023, largely driven by seasonal vacation properties.
Rental vacancy rate
1986–2025Census Housing Vacancy Survey, annual (FRED MERVAC).
Homeowner vacancy rate
1986–2025Census Housing Vacancy Survey, annual (FRED MEHVAC).
| Indicator | Maine | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Vacancy Rate (%) | 18.9 | 10.5 |
- •Most of Maine's vacant units are seasonal homes, not homes for sale or rent.