salaryRent is lower than in 89% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs under 3 years of household income, which is easy by U.S. standards. Commutes are short, about 10 minutes.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $38,720 a year. That is $19 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Maine cities?
Yes. Rent here is cheaper than in most of Maine. It is number 1 of 34 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Houlton?
Share of households by yearly income. 17.4% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Houlton
| Size | Houlton | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| 1 bedroom | $636 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $968 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,398 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,192 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Houlton overall?
Everyday prices in Maine overall are 3% below the U.S. average (index 97.0, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024. City-level data is not published for Houlton, so the Maine figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Houlton
Life in Houlton
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Houlton?
Buying is cheaper month to month: about $69 a month less than renting.
Owning assumes a typical $129,600 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $12,960 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Houlton, ME?
Renting in Houlton costs a median of about $968 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Maine median is $1,452.
How much do I need to make to live in Houlton?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $38,720 a year, or $19 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Houlton cheap or expensive?
Houlton is rated Cheap: rent takes 18.2% of the typical household income of $63,886. It ranks 1st cheapest of 34 Maine cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Houlton?
The median homeowner in Houlton pays $1,690 a year in property taxes, about 1.30% of the median home value.
Is Houlton more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in Maine are 3% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Houlton?
The median home value in Houlton is $129,600, about 2.0 times the typical yearly household income.
5,082 people live in Houlton. Numbers are typical (middle) values.