Life in Maine is almost iconic as a representation of New England. Seniors seeking an active retirement spot with some of the country’s best seafood, a cost of living that’s 3.5% below the national average and four full seasons each year might consider the crashing waves and rocky Atlantic Beaches of Maine. Portland, the largest city in the state, is right on the coast and has plenty to occupy those interested in the arts and culture at the Portland Museum of Art, while the Allagash Brewing Company is just one of the dozens of small-batch, craft brewers throughout the state.
Seniors who are early in their retirement or who need little to no assistance with daily activities are ideal candidates for independent living communities. These communities often provide easy access to social opportunities and may offer extra services such as congregate meals, all while residents live in individual homes or apartments. Seniors participate as much or as little as they choose.
Independent living averages $3,862 per month in this state. This guide offers more information about the expected cost of independent living in Maine, along with resources that may be helpful to seniors as their situation changes.
When trying to decide how to pay for independent living, one of the first questions that comes up is "How much does it cost?" With the impact of inflation, it's more important than ever to have up-to-date information when making a financial plan for senior living. To help shed light on real senior living prices, Caring.com has compiled proprietary cost data from its network of over 75,000 senior living providers to offer insight into the average cost of independent living in Maine and its 7 cities.
Maine's independent living costs of $3,515 a month are near the middle range for the northeastern United States. Seniors in Portland pay less, or $2,886 a month. Bangor and Orono both average $3,771 a month for independent living costs, while the coastal resort town of Kennebunk comes closest to the state average, at $3,410 a month.
Maine
$3515
Portland
$2,886
Bangor
$3,771
Orono
$3,771
Kennebunk
$3,410
Inflation has produced rising costs of independent living care all over America. Maine is an exception, with costs projected to fall 17% from $4,703 to $3,420 between 2022 and 2024. Nationwide averages are expected to rise during that period, from $2,810 to $3,162, an estimated 12.5% increase. Other states likewise project increases. Vermont estimates an 8% rise from $4,895 to $5,272. New York projects a 39% hike from $2,793 to $3,875. Maryland estimates a 12% rise, from $3,313 to $3,710. Pennsylvania expects an increase from $3,603 to $3,675.
| Location | 2022 Cost (Historical) | 2023 Cost (Current) | 2024 Cost (Estimated) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maine | $4,703 | $3,515 | $3,420 |
| U.S. Average | $2,810 | $2,955 | $3,162 |
| Vermont | $4,895 | $4,950 | $5,272 |
| New York | $2,793 | $3,372 | $3,875 |
| Pennsylvania | $3,603 | $3,215 | $3,675 |
| Maryland | $3,313 | $3,484 | $3,710 |
At $3,515 a month, independent living is relatively affordable in Maine, but there are other options. Seniors with more urgent care needs may pay $5,609 for assisted living in Maine, or even $8,469 a month for memory care.
Assisted Living
$5,609
Memory Care
$8,469
Independent Living
$3,515
Unfortunately, you cannot use Medicaid and Medicare to help pay the monthly fee for residing in an Independent Living community. For seniors who need help with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs), there may be financial assistance programs available to help cover the cost of care in Independent Living. For more information about financial assistance for those who need a higher level of care, read our guide to Assisted Living in Maine.
Read on for more information about using alternative means to make Independent Living more affordable, such as retirement funds, the sale of a home, etc.
Independent living is typically paid entirely out of pocket. Government programs don’t offer assistance with room and board at these facilities, though some waivers or long-term care insurance may help with assistance services delivered as seniors need additional help with daily activities. For the direct cost of independent living, seniors may opt to sell their homes to purchase their new retirement homes. Another option may be a reverse mortgage for those seniors uninterested in selling their homes. There are many financing options to help with the costs of independent living in Maine.
There are many resources in Maine that assist seniors in their retirement. caring.com has compiled information on local organizations, programs and agencies and categorized them into care types for easy reference.
Retirees can find support and advice on various senior-related issues from their local Area Agency on Aging. The agency provides advice on topics such as financial assistance programs, in-home care and long-term care planning. It also connects seniors and caregivers with community-based resources.
| Program Name | Phone Number | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Maine Area Agencies on Aging | Maine's five Area Agencies on Aging provide information, assistance, referrals and advocacy to the state's elder population. These agencies connect older adults to valuable local resources, such as medical transportation, in-home care services and educational programs. Staff also offers health insurance counseling services to help seniors navigate the ins and outs of Medicare or commercial health care plans. All offices are open Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Interpreters are available for non-English-speaking callers. |
Cash assistance programs in Maine provide financial support to help low-income retirees remain in their own homes for as long as possible. Seniors and caregivers can apply for tax rebates and reductions, discounts on vital services and help covering the cost of heating and cooling their home.
| Program Name | Phone Number | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Maine Lifeline Program | 800-234-9473 | The LifeLine Program offers a discount on landline or mobile telephone service, ensuring that participants can stay in contact with loved ones. |
Local organizations help ensure elderly citizens have a balanced diet and receive essential vitamins and minerals to remain healthy. Through nutrition programs, congregate meals, home-delivered meals and food pantries, these programs help Maine seniors afford the nutritious food they need.
| Program Name | Phone Number | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Maine Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) | 207-287-7513 | The Commodity Supplemental Food Program in Maine provides low-income adults age 60877-353-3771 with a monthly food package to enrich their diets. These packages, also called Senior Brown Bags, Commodity Boxes or Senior Boxes, include an array of nutritious foods. Recipients must meet income eligibility guidelines. The CSFP is delivered by Maine's Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry in partnership with organizations across the state. For more information, seniors should contact the appropriate agency in their county. |
| Maine Good Shepherd Food Banks | 207-782-3554 | Nonprofits across Maine operate food pantries to provide fresh and nonperishable foods to seniors and other community members in need. Food pantries often play a significant role in directly distributing food to low-income residents. Some also provide personal and household items and pet foods and may have special programs to supply holiday-specific food baskets at Thanksgiving and Christmas. Food pantries operate on varying days and hours, and eligibility requirements may differ. |
| Maine Meals on Wheels | Maine Meals on Wheels provides seniors with food assistance conveniently delivered to their doorsteps. Homebound adults aged 60 and above with mobility issues can access affordable, nutritious and ready-to-eat meals on a sliding fee scale. Residents receive healthy meals and companionship, with Meals on Wheels volunteers playing a crucial role in ensuring seniors' well-being by checking on their health and safety daily. In addition, seniors who have transportation can visit community sites for group meals and socializing. | |
| Maine Nutrition Services Program | 877-353-3771 | Maine Nutrition Services Program acts for seniors challenged by the cost or efforts of accessing a balanced diet, those wanting to socialize and housebound seniors. Staff and volunteers serve meals at a variety of community dining locations. These communal meals are an opportunity to share in healthy dining, meet new friends and access professional assistance from nutritionists, disease management counselors and other health professionals. Home delivery meals are also provided. |
| Maine Senior FarmShare Program | 207-446-5550 | The Maine Senior FarmShare Program helps low-income seniors in the state access fresh fruits and vegetables that are an important part of a healthy diet. Recipients receive $50 worth of produce from a participating farm and can choose from over 100 authorized farms in the state. The program is open to Maine residents who are age 60+ (55+ for Native Americans). Participants must also meet annual income eligibility guidelines. MSFP operates on a first-come, first-served basis. |
| Maine Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) | 800-442-6003 | The Maine Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly known as food stamps, is open to eligible seniors and low-income families statewide. This monthly benefit helps seniors obtain the foods they need for good nutrition, but applicants must be residents of Maine and meet specific income and resource guidelines to qualify. Electronic benefits transfer cards are then loaded with benefits, which can be used at most supermarkets and grocery stores statewide for qualifying food and beverage purchases. |
Due to the high cost of purchasing new medical equipment, several organizations in Maine collect lightly used medical devices such as wheelchairs, ramps and walkers and distribute them to local seniors and residents in need.
| Program Name | Phone Number | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Maine CITE Program | 207-621-3195 | The Maine Department of Education's Maine CITE Program makes assistive technology available to Maine seniors. Free loaner services offer short-term use of medical devices. Seniors can try out equipment before buying it to see if it works for them. |
Maine seniors who meet certain income criteria can apply to local resources to help them pay for prescription drugs. Eligible residents can also receive assistance through health insurance and other programs to access free or discounted medical services.
| Program Name | Phone Number | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Maryland Drugs for the Elderly and Disabled program | 866-796-2463 | Seniors may qualify for discounted prescriptions through the Drugs for the Elderly and Disabled program. DEL provides up to 80% off the cost of some prescription medications. Recipients may have a $2 copayment. Call the Pharmacy Help Desk at (866) 796-2463 for assistance. |
Seniors and those with disabilities can access a variety of local resources to help them pay for home repairs and modifications. Programs in Maine have different eligibility criteria and often assist retirees by providing grants or loans.
| Program Name | Phone Number | Description |
|---|---|---|
| MaineHousing's Home Accessibility and Repair Program | 800-452-4668 | MaineHousing's Home Accessibility and Repair Program issues grants to low-income homeowners who can't afford necessary home repairs and improvements. Grants may cover modifications to help disabled persons or those experiencing physical barriers to living at home to remain in their residences. |
Many organizations offer free or low-cost legal services to Maine seniors. Older adults can access advice on issues such as estate planning, living wills and power of attorney. Some firms also act as long-term care ombudsmen, advocating for the rights of seniors in senior living communities.
| Program Name | Phone Number | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Maine Legal Services for the Elderly | 800-750-5353 | Maine Legal Services for the Elderly provides those aged 60 and over with free high-quality legal services. |
Social Security offices in Maine help seniors and disabled people access the benefits they're entitled to. Older adults can contact their local office for information about receiving retirement benefits, disability allowance and Supplemental Security Income.
| Program Name | Phone Number | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Maine Social Security | Social Security is a source of income available to retirees and people who can no longer work because of a disability. The money for Social Security comes from a payroll tax levied on employers, employees and self-employed individuals. When you retire, you'll receive monthly payments based on how much you earned when you were working. |
Seniors can apply for tax assistance from several Maine resources. Elderly residents and those with disabilities could be eligible for tax exemptions on medical expenses, reductions on property tax and other tax assistance programs.
| Program Name | Phone Number | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Maine State Property Tax Deferral Program | 207-624-5600 | The State Property Tax Deferral Program allows older homeowners to defer paying property taxes until they move, sell, or pass away. Seniors must submit a Property Tax Deferral Application with their local municipal assessor between January 1 and April 1. |
Low-income seniors who are struggling to meet the costs of maintaining their homes can find support from organizations that offer assistance with utility and energy bills. Maine retirees could also qualify for emergency funding programs if they're in danger of losing utility services due to unpaid invoices.
| Program Name | Phone Number | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Maine Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) | 877-544-3271 | HEAP helps low-income seniors pay for heating costs. HEAP applicants may also apply for the Low-Income Assistance Program, which pays for electricity costs by providing a credit on the recipient's electric bill. |
Maine retirees who have served in the U.S. military can find support from local veteran services. These offices and organizations help vets access the benefits they're eligible for and provide advice and information on a variety of issues.
| Program Name | Phone Number | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Maine VA Benefits and Health Care | Maine's VA Benefits and Health Care services are designed to help seniors aged 65 and older access critical services for their well-being. Elderly veterans have various options across the state to receive care and support for their benefits, such as the VA Medical Center in Augusta and the Togus Regional Office. Seniors can access programs like the Disability Housing Grant for Veterans to make home modifications for service-connected disabilities. |
257 Results
145 Emery Lane , Boothbay Harbor, ME 04538
4.5
(6 reviews)
"My father is at St. Andrews Village Retirement Community. They have houses with assisted living, and they have nursing and rehab. They have a little bit of everything there. He is in the skilled unit right now. They have been great to him, they have ..."
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24 Martin Lane, Belfast, ME 04915
4.2
(7 reviews)
"My mother went in as an Independent, then eventually went to assisted living before she needed full time care. The Residence took wonderful care of her and the nurses and nurses aids were the best...caring, helpful, sympathetic. The Activities Dire..."
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620 - 640 Ocean Avenue, Portland, ME 04103
4.4
(5 reviews)
"I knew someone at The Cedars and they showed me their unit and I discussed with them what they thought of the place. It's a little pricey, but it's excellent. It could be a little warmer, but the windows in the unit were well designed and well presen..."
READ MORE620 - 650 Ocean Avenue, Portland, ME 04103
5.0
(3 reviews)
"We liked The Atrium at The Cedars. It looked like it had good activities. It had a nice little fitness center. They have a different kind of meal plan where you get like 30 meals a month. They have a full kitchen. We looked at a two-bedroom. The faci..."
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25 Thornton Way, Brunswick, ME 04011
5.0
(3 reviews)
"Thornton Oaks Retirement is a lovely place that's very welcoming. It has cottages and apartments. We felt very comfortable there, everything was very clean and nicely kept up, and we like how they handled COVID. The staff who gave the tour was very w..."
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1145 Brighton Avenue , Portland, ME 04102
4.1
(7 reviews)
"The care and friendliness shown by every level of the staff is wonderful. I feel so lucky that there was a place available at the Barron facility when my mother needed it. Her room and the common rooms were always kept clean and attractive. The ..."
READ MORECaring's Family Advisors are here to help you with questions about senior living and care options.
477 High St. , South Paris, ME 04281
4.5
(4 reviews)
"We like Maine Veterans' Homes. It is clean, roomy, and fairly new. All the people that we met were very helpful and smiley. It did not seem like a sad place to go. The families are encouraged to visit. They have activities almost every day, like a li..."
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70 Fairview Drive , Fryeburg, ME 04037
4.5
(4 reviews)
"My dad moved into Fryeberg Care center yesterday. It's nice, clean, the people were very friendly, very helpful, and we felt it was safe and comfortable there. It was the best place for him, and it was only 12 miles from my home. There's activities a..."
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89 Admiral Fitch Ave, Brunswick, ME 04011
4.5
(4 reviews)
"I'm planning to move my mother to Avita of Brunswick because they were the most responsive. The other place was kind of dragged out a little bit and they weren't completely forward in the initial presentation, and that turned us off. This place just ..."
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63 Parker Ridge Lane, Blue Hill, ME 04614
4.2
(5 reviews)
"Professional and caring and very thorough management and staff. ..."
READ MORE100 Harbor Drive, Saco, ME 04072
4.6
(3 reviews)
"My mother preferred the Inn at Atlantic's independent housing, where you could have a house, but you're going to buy it. In addition, it has assisted living, and if you need rehabilitation, it was connected to the facility, so you just move in there...."
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58 Baribeau Drive, Brunswick, ME 04011
4.6
(3 reviews)
"My aunt was at Mid Coast Senior Health. It's a very well-kept facility, the staff was very nice and helpful. My aunt seemed quite content, she was receiving very good care. It's a very nice facility. The staff members are very, very good. They have a..."
READ MORE1 Cony Street, Augusta, ME 04330
4.6
(3 reviews)
"The Inn at City Hall was very nice. They're very helpful and the best thing about them was you could get lunch and dinner in the facility, they would take care of your meds, and the apartments looked better. It's got a walk-in shower and the people a..."
READ MORE51 Schooner Street, Damariscotta, ME 04543
4.6
(3 reviews)
"This is such a wonderful assisted living. The staff is lovely, low-key, and welcoming - and there are many of them, relative to the number of residents, so no one feels rushed and Mom gets plenty of attention. Everyone seems happy and they appear to ..."
READ MORE51 Main Street, Route 109, Springvale, ME 04083
3.7
(9 reviews)
"I've toured The Lodges Care Center. I like it all. I thought it was excellent. The food is excellent. They have a lot of stuff going on for the elderly. They have an exercise room and a nice backyard. It's in the country. There's nothing about it tha..."
READ MORE30 Community Drive, Camden, ME 04843
3.8
(7 reviews)
"I have been to Quarry Hill. I like it very much. I felt good that they have apartments of different sizes and different costs, although I wish they had more meals to offer. The location seems nice. It seems to be in a park-like setting, and I’m used ..."
READ MORE540 College Street, Lewiston, ME 04240
4.2
(4 reviews)
"My wife is an advanced Alzheimer patient, recently placed at Montello Manor. I visit her daily. The care that I have seen from both the staff and administration has been exemplary. They not only take excellent care of her physical needs but interact ..."
READ MORE4 Old County Rd, Freeport, ME 04032
5.0
(2 reviews)
"Not only were the facilities clean and bright,but the staff were enthusiastic, genuine and caring. It was clear that every resident is cherished. ..."
READ MORE509 Kenduskeag Ave, Bangor, ME 04401
5.0
(2 reviews)
"My mother-in-law stayed at Country Villa for a couple of years. They provided extraordinary services in a kind and caring manner. I would highly recommend them...."
READ MORE433 US-202, Greene, ME 04236
5.0
(2 reviews)
"I visited The Meadows. That's where I feel it's very home-like. They are exceptionally interested in me. I can describe my room that I'm gonna have. It's the largest room they have; a very large and vast room, they're painting the room, painting the ..."
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