salaryRent is higher than in 87% of U.S. cities. Incomes are on the low side for rents this high, so budgets feel tight. A typical house costs about 4.1 years of household income. Commutes are short, about 15.2 minutes. Most households rent (58%), so there are plenty of rental options. It is a highly educated city: 69.8% of adults have a college degree.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $102,560 a year. That is $49 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Maine cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of Maine. It is number 33 of 34 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Orono?
Share of households by yearly income. 22.5% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Orono
| Size | Orono | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,038 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,120 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,466 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,864 | $1,698 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Orono 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 Orono, so the Maine figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Orono
Life in Orono
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Orono?
Buying is cheaper month to month: about $740 a month less than renting.
Owning assumes a typical $262,900 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $26,290 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Orono, ME?
Renting in Orono costs a median of about $2,564 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Maine median is $1,452.
How much do I need to make to live in Orono?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $102,560 a year, or $49 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Orono cheap or expensive?
Orono is rated Expensive: rent takes 47.7% of the typical household income of $64,477. It ranks 33rd cheapest of 34 Maine cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Orono?
The median homeowner in Orono pays $4,778 a year in property taxes, about 1.82% of the median home value.
Is Orono 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 Orono?
The median home value in Orono is $262,900, about 4.1 times the typical yearly household income.
11,151 people live in Orono. Numbers are typical (middle) values.