Southern Maine · Androscoggin County
Buying a Home in Auburn, Maine: What It Really Takes
Auburn is Lewiston's twin across the Androscoggin, and it runs a meaningfully lower mil rate than its neighbor. Auburn skews more single-family and suburban, with a larger geographic footprint and more space for the money than Lewiston. The two cities share a labor market and the commercial ring around Center Street pulls from both. At the current market rate (6.81%), a household income near $104,000 typically fits Auburn’s cited median of $305,000 with ten percent down and low debts. That figure is an estimate, not an offer. Run your own with The 207 Number, which uses your inputs against Auburn’s real mil rate.
Data as of 2024-10. Verify with the town assessor before writing an offer.
What your money buys in Auburn
A mid-market budget in Auburn buys a three-bedroom colonial or ranch on a real lot in New Auburn or Danville, or an older single family close to downtown. Larger lots (an acre or more) are widely available in Danville and the rural fringes. Multifamily is thinner than Lewiston but present. New construction happens on a steady drip in newer subdivisions.
Property taxes in plain English
Auburn’s mil rate is $19.90 per $1,000 of assessed value (Maine Revenue Services Property Tax Division / town assessor, as of 2024-10). Worked example: a home assessed at $305,000 carries a gross annual tax bill of about $6,070 before any exemptions. Maine’s homestead exemption reduces taxable value by a set amount for owners who occupy the home as a primary residence, which lowers the actual bill. Assessed value is not always the same as sale price. When Auburn does a full revaluation the two converge; between revals the gap can be significant. Ask the assessor’s office for the current assessed value on any property you are considering before you write an offer.
Neighborhoods and districts
Auburn divides between the older downtown, the New Auburn neighborhoods across the river, and the rural interior. Prices track that division.
- Downtown AuburnThe Auburn side of the Great Falls with courthouse, city hall, and older single families.
- New AuburnNeighborhoods across the Androscoggin. Older stock with easy access to Route 4.
- DanvilleRural interior with larger lots and space for the money.
- Lake Auburn areaRestricted watershed with limited development but scenic homes on the perimeter.
Local anchors: Great Falls of the Androscoggin, Lake Auburn, Androscoggin County Courthouse.
Commute reality
Auburn is forty to fifty minutes to downtown Portland on the Maine Turnpike. Lewiston is five minutes across the river. Portland Jetport is about forty minutes south. The Twin Cities job market is largely self-contained; many households don't commute to Portland at all.
Typical drive times off peak: to downtown Portland 45 min, to Portsmouth NH 90 min. Mileage-driven estimates, not a promise of a specific trip time.
Who Auburn fits
Auburn fits families who want space and lower taxes than Lewiston, first-time buyers priced out of Cumberland County, and Twin Cities employees. It does not fit buyers who need a short Portland commute or urban walkability.
The 207 Number, preloaded to Auburn
Enter your income, monthly debts, and down payment. The tool returns the highest purchase price you can carry in Auburn at today’s market rate, using Auburn’s real mil rate and cited median.
Enter your numbers
Assumptions (editable)
Neighboring towns to compare
Frequently asked questions about buying in Auburn
What income do you need to buy a house in Auburn Maine?
At the current market rate and the cited Auburn median (around $305,000), qualifying typically requires household income in the low to mid $70,000s with ten percent down. The 207 Number returns your exact fit against Auburn's real mil rate.
How much are property taxes in Auburn Maine?
Auburn's mil rate is shown at the top of this page. On a $305,000 home, a mil rate of $19.90 works out to about $6,070 a year before Maine's homestead exemption. Auburn's rate is meaningfully lower than Lewiston's.
Is Auburn Maine a good place to live?
Auburn offers suburban single families, lower taxes than Lewiston, and access to Twin Cities employment. Tour both cities before deciding: Auburn is quieter and more suburban, Lewiston is urban and denser.
How much is a house in Auburn Maine?
The Androscoggin County single family median sits around $285,000 to $305,000, with Auburn typically trading a hair above Lewiston on single families. Multifamily is thinner than Lewiston.
How is the commute from Auburn to Portland?
Forty to fifty minutes on the Maine Turnpike off peak. The Twin Cities commute is largely self-contained; most Auburn residents work locally.
Which is better, Lewiston or Auburn?
Different feel. Lewiston is urban with real multifamily; Auburn is suburban with lower taxes. Same job market, different housing stock.
Market averages shown are sourced from the named indices and updated on their published schedule. These are market averages, not an offer or commitment to lend, and not a rate available to you. Your actual rate and payment depend on your credit score, down payment, qualifying income, loan type, loan amount, property type and occupancy, loan-to-value, points, and market conditions at lock. Rates change daily and are subject to change without notice. Figures are estimates for illustration only and do not constitute loan approval, a rate lock, or a guarantee. Travis Penny | NMLS #1649161 | Equal Housing Opportunity | nmlsconsumeraccess.org
Ready to run your number for Auburn?
Call or text 207.615.7770. Travis answers.