True Cost of Renting in Augusta, ME

Augusta is Maine's state capital and one of the smallest state capitals in the United States by population. State government is the dominant employer, providing stable, consistent rental demand at very affordable prices. Central Maine Power provides electricity. The Kennebec River runs through Downtown.

Neighborhoods & Average Rents

Downtown / Western Ave

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

Augusta's city center near the Maine State House and government buildings; older apartment buildings and converted commercial structures. CMP electric. KVCAP bus service. Walk to state government employment. Kennebec River waterfront park.

Cony / Townsend Road

Studio:
$700/mo
1 Bed:
$900/mo
2 Bed:
$1,300/mo

Eastern residential neighborhoods; apartment buildings and single-family rentals. Car required. Access to I-95 and Route 3 east toward Bangor.

Gardiner / Hallowell Adjacent

Studio:
$700/mo
1 Bed:
$900/mo
2 Bed:
$1,300/mo

Charming adjacent communities; Hallowell is arguably more charming than Augusta proper with a walkable Water Street dining and arts scene. Car required. Short commute to Augusta state government. Even lower rents than Augusta proper.

Utility Providers

Electric
Central Maine Power (CMP / Avangrid)
Water
Maine Water Company
Internet
Spectrum, Consolidated Communications, Waterline Networks

Commute & Transportation

Augusta has no rail transit. KVCAP and MaineCare provide limited bus services. I-95 (Maine Turnpike) connects to Portland (60 miles, 1 hour) and Bangor (60 miles, 1 hour). Route 3 connects east toward Belfast and Bar Harbor. Major employers: Maine state government agencies (the Capitol Complex), MaineGeneral Medical Center, and the Department of Health and Human Services.

Rental Market Overview

Augusta is one of the most affordable state capitals in the United States, period. CMP electric rates are among Maine's most competitive. Heating oil dominates as the heating fuel — January bills of $350–600/month in older buildings are typical. State government employment creates a stable, recession-resistant rental market. Hallowell's walkable Water Street is one of Maine's hidden gems. Renters insurance averages $12–15/month. Maine has no state-level rent control, so annual increases follow the open Kennebec Valley market. Augusta is small enough that the entire rental market, from downtown to the Gardiner and Hallowell suburbs, is realistically a single 10-minute commute shed, unlike larger Maine cities where neighborhood choice meaningfully changes commute time. The state capitol complex is also one of the few Maine employers whose headcount barely moves with the broader economy, which is worth knowing if steady, low-risk employment matters more to a renter here than upside income.

Data last updated: 2026-04

Compare Apartments in Augusta

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Renting in Augusta: Common Questions

What is the average rent in Augusta?
One-bedroom apartments in Augusta range from $900/month in Cony / Townsend Road to $950/month in Downtown / Western Ave. Two-bedroom units range from $1,300 to $1,400/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 Augusta?
In Augusta, electricity is provided by Central Maine Power (CMP / Avangrid), water by Maine Water Company, and common internet providers include Spectrum, Consolidated Communications, Waterline Networks. 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 Augusta.
What neighborhoods are affordable in Augusta?
Cony / Townsend Road is the most affordable of the 3 Augusta neighborhoods covered here, at $900/month for a one-bedroom — $50 less than Downtown / Western Ave, roughly a 5% 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 Augusta expensive to rent in?
Across the 3 neighborhoods covered here, the average one-bedroom in Augusta runs about $917/month before fees, utilities, and amenities are added — and those add-ons are exactly what a bare average hides. Augusta is one of the most affordable state capitals in the United States, period. 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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