Maine’s most affordable towns aren’t by the coast, but they’re full of potential. Based on the Zillow Home Value Index, we’ve identified the 18 least expensive towns in the Pine Tree State as of March 2025. What’s fascinating is that all of these affordable communities are located in the northern and eastern regions of Maine, with many clustered in Aroostook County, known as “The County” to locals.
Our analysis reveals dramatic price appreciation across these communities since 2020, with some towns seeing increases of over 80% in just five years. Despite this growth, these towns remain remarkably affordable compared to southern Maine and coastal communities, where median home values often exceed $400,000.
Interestingly, many of these communities share a rich history connected to Maine’s paper mill industry, farming heritage, or border trade with Canada. While some towns have struggled with economic challenges following mill closures, the recent surge in remote work has brought new attention to these affordable areas, potentially signaling the beginning of a revival for Maine’s more remote communities.
18. East Millinocket
Historic home prices and percentage change over time:
- 2025 Home Value: $156,090
- 2020 Home Value: Data not available
- 2015 Home Value: Data not available
- 2010 Home Value: Data not available
- % Change from 2020 to 2025: Data not available
- % Change from 2015 to 2025: Data not available
- % Change from 2010 to 2025: Data not available
About East Millinocket
Nestled in the heart of Maine’s wilderness, East Millinocket offers you an authentic small-town experience with incredible access to outdoor adventures. Once a thriving paper mill town nicknamed the “Town That Paper Made,” the community has been reinventing itself since the mill’s closure. Your dollar stretches further here than almost anywhere else in Maine, with stunning natural attractions like Baxter State Park and the northern terminus of the Appalachian Trail just a short drive away.
17. Guilford
Historic home prices and percentage change over time:
- 2025 Home Value: $149,490
- 2020 Home Value: $97,584
- 2015 Home Value: Data not available
- 2010 Home Value: Data not available
- % Change from 2020 to 2025: 53.19%
- % Change from 2015 to 2025: Data not available
- % Change from 2010 to 2025: Data not available
About Guilford
In Guilford, you’ll discover a charming riverside community where small-town values meet natural beauty. Located along the banks of the Piscataquis River, this quaint town offers you affordable living with a rich manufacturing heritage. Despite seeing over 50% growth in home values since 2020, housing remains remarkably affordable here. Your weekends can be spent exploring nearby Piscataquis River or venturing to Moosehead Lake, Maine’s largest lake, which is just a scenic drive away.
16. Caribou
Historic home prices and percentage change over time:
- 2025 Home Value: $148,389
- 2020 Home Value: $94,545
- 2015 Home Value: $86,942
- 2010 Home Value: $109,891
- % Change from 2020 to 2025: 56.95%
- % Change from 2015 to 2025: 70.68%
- % Change from 2010 to 2025: 35.03%
About Caribou
Welcome to Caribou, the northernmost city in Maine and one of the few towns on our list with complete historical data. You’ll enjoy four distinct seasons here, including winters perfect for snowmobiling and cross-country skiing. What makes Caribou particularly interesting is that it’s one of the few towns where 2010 home values were actually higher than 2015 values, showing a market correction before the recent surge. Your housing dollar goes remarkably far in this agricultural hub known for its potato farming and friendly community.
15. Pembroke
Historic home prices and percentage change over time:
- 2025 Home Value: $147,958
- 2020 Home Value: $93,093
- 2015 Home Value: Data not available
- 2010 Home Value: Data not available
- % Change from 2020 to 2025: 58.94%
- % Change from 2015 to 2025: Data not available
- % Change from 2010 to 2025: Data not available
About Pembroke
Hugging the coastline of Washington County, Pembroke offers you a rare combination of coastal access and extreme affordability. Your mornings could begin with breathtaking views of Cobscook Bay, known for having some of the highest tides in the continental United States. Despite nearly 59% appreciation since 2020, homes here remain priced well below the state average, giving you the opportunity to live near the water without the typical coastal premium.
14. Madawaska
Historic home prices and percentage change over time:
- 2025 Home Value: $147,612
- 2020 Home Value: $91,827
- 2015 Home Value: $97,338
- 2010 Home Value: Data not available
- % Change from 2020 to 2025: 60.75%
- % Change from 2015 to 2025: 51.65%
- % Change from 2010 to 2025: Data not available
About Madawaska
Perched along the Saint John River directly across from Edmundston, New Brunswick, Madawaska offers you a truly international living experience. The strong Franco-American heritage is evident everywhere from local cuisine to the yearly Acadian Festival. You’ll find it fascinating that like Caribou, Madawaska’s home values were higher in 2015 than in 2020, showing market fluctuations before the recent appreciation. Your real estate dollar stretches remarkably far in this northernmost town in New England.
13. Calais
Historic home prices and percentage change over time:
- 2025 Home Value: $146,448
- 2020 Home Value: $80,724
- 2015 Home Value: $64,797
- 2010 Home Value: Data not available
- % Change from 2020 to 2025: 81.42%
- % Change from 2015 to 2025: 126.01%
- % Change from 2010 to 2025: Data not available
About Calais
As Maine’s easternmost city, Calais gives you the distinction of living where America’s day begins. This border community alongside St. Stephen, New Brunswick offers a unique blend of American and Canadian culture. What’s remarkable is Calais has experienced one of the most dramatic price increases on our list, with homes more than doubling in value since 2015. Your investment potential here combines with affordable entry prices, making this river city particularly attractive for first-time homebuyers.
12. Millinocket
Historic home prices and percentage change over time:
- 2025 Home Value: $144,756
- 2020 Home Value: $80,559
- 2015 Home Value: $64,093
- 2010 Home Value: Data not available
- % Change from 2020 to 2025: 79.69%
- % Change from 2015 to 2025: 125.85%
- % Change from 2010 to 2025: Data not available
About Millinocket
Known as the “Gateway to Katahdin,” Millinocket positions you at the doorstep of Maine’s most iconic wilderness areas. You’ll have unparalleled access to outdoor recreation with Mount Katahdin and Baxter State Park practically in your backyard. The town has seen remarkable growth with home values increasing nearly 126% since 2015, yet remains highly affordable. Your outdoor passions can flourish here, where hiking, fishing, snowmobiling, and wildlife viewing opportunities abound year-round.
11. Brownville
Historic home prices and percentage change over time:
- 2025 Home Value: $142,749
- 2020 Home Value: $79,584
- 2015 Home Value: Data not available
- 2010 Home Value: Data not available
- % Change from 2020 to 2025: 79.37%
- % Change from 2015 to 2025: Data not available
- % Change from 2010 to 2025: Data not available
About Brownville
Brownville welcomes you with its peaceful rural setting and rich railroad heritage. The town’s junction served as an important rail hub in Maine’s history, and you can still explore this legacy at the local historical society. Your investment in housing has appreciated nearly 80% since 2020, showing strong growth while maintaining affordability. The surrounding wilderness offers you abundant opportunities for hunting, fishing, and enjoying Maine’s natural splendor without the hefty price tag found in more touristic areas.
10. Oakfield
Historic home prices and percentage change over time:
- 2025 Home Value: $142,064
- 2020 Home Value: Data not available
- 2015 Home Value: Data not available
- 2010 Home Value: Data not available
- % Change from 2020 to 2025: Data not available
- % Change from 2015 to 2025: Data not available
- % Change from 2010 to 2025: Data not available
About Oakfield
Tucked away in southern Aroostook County, Oakfield offers you a genuine rural Maine experience at a fraction of the cost you’d find elsewhere. Your homestead here could include expansive yards and even acreage at prices that seem impossibly low by coastal Maine standards. The town’s agricultural roots remain strong, and you’ll enjoy a strong sense of community where neighbors know each other by name. Despite limited historical data, Oakfield represents one of Maine’s best-kept secrets for affordable country living.
9. Sherman
Historic home prices and percentage change over time:
- 2025 Home Value: $140,465
- 2020 Home Value: $87,188
- 2015 Home Value: Data not available
- 2010 Home Value: Data not available
- % Change from 2020 to 2025: 61.10%
- % Change from 2015 to 2025: Data not available
- % Change from 2010 to 2025: Data not available
About Sherman
Sherman greets you with rolling hills and pastoral landscapes that epitomize rural New England charm. Your housing dollar extends remarkably far in this small community situated along Interstate 95, offering accessibility despite its rural setting. The 61% increase in home values since 2020 shows strengthening demand while maintaining affordability. You’ll appreciate the natural beauty surrounding Sherman, with Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument just a short drive away, providing world-class outdoor adventures from your affordable home base.
8. Houlton
Historic home prices and percentage change over time:
- 2025 Home Value: $138,986
- 2020 Home Value: $82,322
- 2015 Home Value: Data not available
- 2010 Home Value: Data not available
- % Change from 2020 to 2025: 68.83%
- % Change from 2015 to 2025: Data not available
- % Change from 2010 to 2025: Data not available
About Houlton
As the county seat of Aroostook County, Houlton offers you small-city amenities with deep-country affordability. The historic downtown features beautiful Victorian architecture and a vibrant Market Square. Your home purchase here represents tremendous value, with prices that have increased nearly 69% since 2020 but remain exceptionally affordable. The international border crossing to Woodstock, New Brunswick provides unique shopping and cultural opportunities just minutes from your affordable Maine home.
7. Island Falls
Historic home prices and percentage change over time:
- 2025 Home Value: $136,500
- 2020 Home Value: $85,150
- 2015 Home Value: Data not available
- 2010 Home Value: Data not available
- % Change from 2020 to 2025: 60.30%
- % Change from 2015 to 2025: Data not available
- % Change from 2010 to 2025: Data not available
About Island Falls
Looking for lakeside living without the premium price tag? Island Falls surrounds you with pristine lakes and waterways at a fraction of what you’d pay elsewhere in Maine. The town sits beside Pleasant Lake and Upper Mattawamkeag Lake, offering endless water recreation possibilities. Your investment here has grown by over 60% since 2020, yet homes remain remarkably affordable. The town’s claim to fame includes being the site of future president Theodore Roosevelt’s hunting camps, highlighting the exceptional wilderness access you’ll enjoy from this affordable community.
6. Washburn
Historic home prices and percentage change over time:
- 2025 Home Value: $131,725
- 2020 Home Value: $70,180
- 2015 Home Value: $63,735
- 2010 Home Value: Data not available
- % Change from 2020 to 2025: 87.69%
- % Change from 2015 to 2025: 106.68%
- % Change from 2010 to 2025: Data not available
About Washburn
Washburn welcomes you to fertile farmland and panoramic rural views at surprisingly affordable prices. This agricultural community has seen one of the strongest growth rates on our list, with home values more than doubling since 2015. Your real estate dollar stretches incredibly far here, where potato fields stretch to the horizon and the Aroostook River winds through town. Despite the remarkable price appreciation, Washburn remains one of Maine’s best values, offering authentic country living within a short drive of Presque Isle’s amenities.
5. Fort Fairfield
Historic home prices and percentage change over time:
- 2025 Home Value: $128,968
- 2020 Home Value: $87,638
- 2015 Home Value: $77,110
- 2010 Home Value: $81,199
- % Change from 2020 to 2025: 47.16%
- % Change from 2015 to 2025: 67.25%
- % Change from 2010 to 2025: 58.83%
About Fort Fairfield
Situated along the Canadian border, Fort Fairfield gives you international living at some of Maine’s most accessible prices. As one of the few towns with complete historical data back to 2010, you can see how the market has evolved over 15 years. The town experienced a dip between 2010 and 2015 before beginning its upward trajectory, highlighting the cyclical nature of even the most affordable markets. Your summers here can include the famous Maine Potato Blossom Festival, celebrating the agricultural heritage that surrounds this charming border community.
4. Milo
Historic home prices and percentage change over time:
- 2025 Home Value: $126,732
- 2020 Home Value: $67,608
- 2015 Home Value: $63,304
- 2010 Home Value: Data not available
- % Change from 2020 to 2025: 87.45%
- % Change from 2015 to 2025: 100.20%
- % Change from 2010 to 2025: Data not available
About Milo
Milo invites you to experience quintessential small-town New England at prices that seem frozen in time despite recent growth. Situated at the junction of three rivers, this picturesque town offers abundant water recreation opportunities. Your investment would have precisely doubled since 2015, yet homes remain among Maine’s most affordable. The town’s motto, “A Friendly Town in the Heart of Maine,” reflects the warm community spirit you’ll encounter in this hidden gem where housing costs a fraction of what you’d pay in southern or coastal Maine.
3. Woodland
Historic home prices and percentage change over time:
- 2025 Home Value: $124,516
- 2020 Home Value: Data not available
- 2015 Home Value: Data not available
- 2010 Home Value: Data not available
- % Change from 2020 to 2025: Data not available
- % Change from 2015 to 2025: Data not available
- % Change from 2010 to 2025: Data not available
About Woodland
True to its name, Woodland surrounds you with Maine’s iconic forests while offering exceptional affordability. This small community in Aroostook County provides a peaceful retreat from hectic city life at prices that seem almost unbelievable in today’s housing market. Your homeownership dreams are within easy reach here, where spacious properties often include substantial acreage. Despite limited historical data, Woodland represents one of the best values in Maine real estate, allowing you to embrace rural living without breaking the bank.
2. Limestone
Historic home prices and percentage change over time:
- 2025 Home Value: $115,995
- 2020 Home Value: $61,743
- 2015 Home Value: Data not available
- 2010 Home Value: Data not available
- % Change from 2020 to 2025: 87.87%
- % Change from 2015 to 2025: Data not available
- % Change from 2010 to 2025: Data not available
About Limestone
Limestone offers you an intriguing blend of aerospace history and rural charm at the second-most affordable price point in Maine. Once home to Loring Air Force Base, this town has reimagined itself following the base closure. Your real estate dollar stretches remarkably far here, with homes appreciating nearly 88% since 2020 yet remaining highly accessible to first-time buyers. The Aroostook National Wildlife Refuge provides spectacular outdoor opportunities literally at your doorstep, while the Maine School of Science and Mathematics – consistently ranked among America’s best public high schools – offers exceptional educational opportunities.
1. Van Buren
Historic home prices and percentage change over time:
- 2025 Home Value: $103,390
- 2020 Home Value: $66,869
- 2015 Home Value: Data not available
- 2010 Home Value: Data not available
- % Change from 2020 to 2025: 54.62%
- % Change from 2015 to 2025: Data not available
- % Change from 2010 to 2025: Data not available
About Van Buren
Welcome to Van Buren, officially the most affordable town in Maine for 2025. Situated directly across the St. John River from St. Leonard, New Brunswick, this border community offers you an international lifestyle at an unbeatable price. Your home buying dollar goes further here than anywhere else in the state, despite over 54% appreciation since 2020. The strong Acadian heritage creates a unique cultural experience, with French influences evident in local customs, cuisine, and even language. For remote workers seeking extraordinary affordability with high-speed internet access, Van Buren represents perhaps the ultimate value proposition in Maine real estate.
