True Cost of Renting in Lewiston-Auburn, ME

Lewiston-Auburn (LA) are twin cities on opposite banks of the Androscoggin River, together forming Maine's second-largest metropolitan area. Lewiston has one of the largest Somali refugee communities in the United States, which has revitalized neighborhoods with new businesses and cultural institutions. Bates College (Lewiston) and Central Maine Medical Center are anchors. Central Maine Power (Iberdrola/Avangrid) provides electricity.

Neighborhoods & Average Rents

Lewiston Downtown / Bates Area

Studio:
$750/mo
1 Bed:
$950/mo
2 Bed:
$1,400/mo

Lewiston's redeveloping downtown near Bates College; Lisbon Street commercial corridor with growing small businesses. CMP electric. LATS bus service. Walk to Bates College campus and athletic facilities. The Somali community has opened restaurants and businesses that are genuinely excellent.

Auburn Center / Minot Avenue

Studio:
$800/mo
1 Bed:
$1,000/mo
2 Bed:
$1,500/mo

Auburn's commercial center across the river; slightly more suburban character. Auburn has the Central Maine Medical Center campus. LATS bus across the Memorial Bridge. More apartment complexes and retail-adjacent housing.

Poland / Mechanic Falls Adjacent

1 Bed:
$900/mo
2 Bed:
$1,300/mo

Rural/suburban towns adjacent to the LA metro; car required. Even lower rents than downtown Lewiston. Access to I-495 (Maine Turnpike spur) for Portland commutes. Less transit.

Utility Providers

Electric
Central Maine Power (CMP / Avangrid)
Water
Lewiston Water Department / Auburn Water District
Internet
Spectrum, Consolidated Communications, Wabanaki Telephone

Commute & Transportation

Lewiston-Auburn has no rail transit. LATS (Lewiston Auburn Transit System) provides local bus service. Concord Coach Lines provides express bus to Portland (40 minutes) and Boston (2.5 hours). I-95/Maine Turnpike is accessible at Auburn (Exit 80). Portland is 35 miles south (40 minutes). Major employers: Central Maine Medical Center, Bates College, Geiger Brothers (promotional products), and a growing light manufacturing and distribution sector.

Rental Market Overview

Lewiston-Auburn offers the most affordable rents in the Northeast for a city with genuine urban amenities. CMP electric rates are among Maine's more affordable. Heating is a major cost — most LA housing uses heating oil or propane, and budget $300–500/month for heat in January-February in older buildings. The Somali community's revitalization of Lewiston (which began in 2001) is a remarkable urban story; the business district has genuine vibrancy. Remote work has increased demand since 2020. Renters insurance averages $12–16/month, among the lowest in New England.

Data last updated: 2026-04

Compare Apartments in Lewiston-Auburn

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Renting in Lewiston-Auburn: Common Questions

What is the average rent in Lewiston-Auburn?
One-bedroom apartments in Lewiston-Auburn range from $900/month in Poland / Mechanic Falls Adjacent to $1,000/month in Auburn Center / Minot Avenue. Two-bedroom units range from $1,300 to $1,500/month. These are base rents — add fees, utilities, and amenity costs to get the true all-in monthly cost.
What utilities do I need to set up in Lewiston-Auburn?
In Lewiston-Auburn, electricity is provided by Central Maine Power (CMP / Avangrid), water by Lewiston Water Department / Auburn Water District, and common internet providers include Spectrum, Consolidated Communications, Wabanaki Telephone. Ask the leasing office for the specific unit's average monthly bill rather than a city-wide figure — utility costs vary more by building age and insulation than by location within Lewiston-Auburn.
What neighborhoods are affordable in Lewiston-Auburn?
Poland / Mechanic Falls Adjacent is the most affordable of the 3 Lewiston-Auburn neighborhoods covered here, at $900/month for a one-bedroom — $100 less than Auburn Center / Minot Avenue, roughly a 10% gap. That swing is often bigger than any fee or amenity difference between two buildings in the same neighborhood, which is why comparing across neighborhoods matters as much as comparing within one.
Is Lewiston-Auburn expensive to rent in?
Across the 3 neighborhoods covered here, the average one-bedroom in Lewiston-Auburn runs about $950/month before fees, utilities, and amenities are added — and those add-ons are exactly what a bare average hides. Lewiston-Auburn offers the most affordable rents in the Northeast for a city with genuine urban amenities. Run the specific units you are considering through RentCompare to see the true all-in monthly cost rather than relying on an area average.

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