Best overall
Sagadahoc County
Overall score 69.7
Economy 85.7 / Affordability 40.6
State rankings
Best Counties to Live in Maine
Compare counties in Maine by affordability, schools, safety, taxes, economy, home values, and quality-of-life tradeoffs.
Use the county-size filter to compare large metro counties, mid-size counties, small counties, and rural areas separately. These modules are a starting point, then you can open the full rankings table or compare individual counties.
County size
County size helps compare places with similar scale. Large metro counties and small rural counties can rank well for very different reasons.
Showing all 16 Maine counties
Use this state ranking
Compare counties in Maine
Put Maine counties side by side.
Estimate moving costs
Compare housing, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, insurance, and tax-pressure estimates.
Open Maine rankings
Open the full Maine ranking table with filters.
Explore on the map
Scan county scores geographically across the country.
Maine county rankings at a glance
Compact winners for common county-search priorities.
Best for families
Sagadahoc County
Family score 73.3
Schools 76.9 / Safety 96.3
Best value
Aroostook County
Value score 67.6
Affordability 75.3 / Taxes 38.6
Most affordable
Aroostook County
Affordability 75.3
Typical home $158,139
Best schools
Cumberland County
Schools 93.3
Safety 71.8 / Economy 88.9
Safest
Aroostook County
Safety 98.6
Schools 56.2 / Peace 89.1
Low taxes
Piscataquis County
Taxes 58.4
Affordability 58.4 / Typical home $222,491
Peace & quiet
Aroostook County
Peace & Quiet 89.1
Density and built-environment signals
Top counties by category
Use these short lists to jump into the state rankings that match your priorities.
Best overall counties in Maine
View full- 1Sagadahoc County
Typical home $425,847
69.7
Overall
- 2Aroostook County
Typical home $158,139
66.3
Overall
- 3Cumberland County
Typical home $553,855
63.7
Overall
- 4Hancock County
Typical home $404,470
63.2
Overall
- 5Penobscot County
Typical home $272,566
62.9
Overall
Best counties for families in Maine
View full- 1Sagadahoc County
Typical home $425,847
73.3
Family
- 2Aroostook County
Typical home $158,139
72.9
Family
- 3Hancock County
Typical home $404,470
71.7
Family
- 4Knox County
Typical home $433,826
68.6
Family
- 5Penobscot County
Typical home $272,566
68.0
Family
Best value counties in Maine
View full- 1Aroostook County
Typical home $158,139
67.6
Value
- 2Piscataquis County
Typical home $222,491
63.3
Value
- 3Washington County
Typical home $192,414
62.7
Value
- 4Somerset County
Typical home $229,116
62.1
Value
- 5Sagadahoc County
Typical home $425,847
60.3
Value
Most affordable counties in Maine
View full- 1Aroostook County
Typical home $158,139
75.3
Afford.
- 2Washington County
Typical home $192,414
63.9
Afford.
- 3Piscataquis County
Typical home $222,491
58.4
Afford.
- 4Somerset County
Typical home $229,116
57.7
Afford.
- 5Penobscot County
Typical home $272,566
54.5
Afford.
Best school counties in Maine
View full- 1Cumberland County
Typical home $553,855
93.3
Schools
- 2York County
Typical home $521,708
83.5
Schools
- 3Hancock County
Typical home $404,470
80.6
Schools
- 4Penobscot County
Typical home $272,566
77.8
Schools
- 5Sagadahoc County
Typical home $425,847
76.9
Schools
Lowest tax-score counties in Maine
View full- 1Piscataquis County
Typical home $222,491
58.4
Taxes
- 2Hancock County
Typical home $404,470
55.3
Taxes
- 3Lincoln County
Typical home $432,604
53.3
Taxes
- 4Oxford County
Typical home $317,812
52.6
Taxes
- 5Franklin County
Typical home $283,608
51.7
Taxes
Quietest counties in Maine
View full- 1Aroostook County
Typical home $158,139
89.1
Quiet
- 2Penobscot County
Typical home $272,566
87.1
Quiet
- 3Somerset County
Typical home $229,116
81.1
Quiet
- 4Washington County
Typical home $192,414
80.6
Quiet
- 5Waldo County
Typical home $332,938
79.9
Quiet
Safest counties in Maine
View full- 1Aroostook County
Typical home $158,139
98.6
Safety
- 2Hancock County
Typical home $404,470
98.4
Safety
- 3Franklin County
Typical home $283,608
97
Safety
- 4Knox County
Typical home $433,826
96.4
Safety
- 5Sagadahoc County
Typical home $425,847
96.3
Safety
Popular Maine county comparisons
Put two counties side by side before you narrow the search.
How to choose a county in Maine
The best county in Maine depends on what you need most. Families may care more about schools and safety, budget-focused movers may care more about affordability and taxes, and quiet-living households may care more about density and peace & quiet. Large counties and rural counties can rank well for very different reasons, so use the county-size filter to compare places with similar scale.
Best for different needs
Best overall counties in Maine
For best overall counties in Maine, Sagadahoc County, Aroostook County, and Cumberland County stand out in this model because they combine several public-data signals instead of winning on only one category.
View this rankingBest counties for families in Maine
For families, Sagadahoc County, Aroostook County, and Hancock County score well in the family blend of schools, safety, affordability, taxes, economy, and peace & quiet.
View this rankingMost affordable counties in Maine
For affordability-focused movers, Aroostook County, Washington County, and Piscataquis County may appeal because they score well on housing and income tradeoff signals in the current model.
View this rankingBest school counties in Maine
For school-first households, Cumberland County, York County, and Hancock County lead the current school score, though families should still compare district-level details.
View this rankingBest low-tax counties in Maine
For lower tax-pressure searches, Piscataquis County, Hancock County, and Lincoln County score well on the tax model, but buyers should still check local property taxes and carrying costs.
View this rankingBest quiet counties in Maine
For quieter-living searches, Aroostook County, Penobscot County, and Somerset County stand out on peace & quiet signals such as density and built-environment indicators.
View this rankingWhat to watch before moving to Maine
Compare county scale carefully in Maine; large metro counties and rural counties can rank well for very different reasons.
Check town-level housing costs, commute patterns, school districts, and local services before making a final move decision.
Frequently asked questions about the best counties in Maine
What is the best county to live in Maine?
The best county depends on your priorities. In this ranking model, Sagadahoc County currently scores highest overall, but families, budget-focused movers, and quiet-living households may prefer different counties.
What is the best county in Maine for families?
Based on the family ranking blend of schools, safety, affordability, taxes, economy, and peace & quiet, Sagadahoc County stands out in this model.
What is the most affordable county in Maine?
Aroostook County scores highly on affordability in this model, but buyers should still compare home prices, taxes, insurance, commute costs, and local job access.
How should I compare large and small counties?
Use the county-size filter. Large metro counties and small rural counties can rank well for very different reasons, so comparing similar county sizes usually gives a more realistic shortlist.
Are these rankings based on reviews?
No. These rankings use public-data signals such as affordability, schools, safety, taxes, economy, home values, and peace & quiet. Local reviews and personal visits should still be part of a final decision.
Which Maine counties score well for schools or taxes?
Cumberland County currently leads the school-score view, while Piscataquis County stands out on the tax-score view. Use the rankings presets to compare those priorities separately.
All Maine counties
Showing all 16 Maine counties ranked by the default generated overall score.
| Rank | County | Overall | Economy | Afford. | Schools | Safety | Taxes | Peace & Quiet | Typical home | Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sagadahoc County FIPS 23023 | 69.7 | 85.7 | 40.6 | 76.9 | 96.3 | 44.2 | 77.2 | $425,847 | $87,806 |
| 2 | Aroostook County FIPS 23003 | 66.3 | 52.7 | 75.3 | 56.2 | 98.6 | 38.6 | 89.1 | $158,139 | $56,700 |
| 3 | Cumberland County FIPS 23005 | 63.7 | 88.9 | 20.9 | 93.3 | 71.8 | 36.9 | 63.5 | $553,855 | $95,677 |
| 4 | Hancock County FIPS 23009 | 63.2 | 65.7 | 26.3 | 80.6 | 98.4 | 55.3 | 75.6 | $404,470 | $72,744 |
| 5 | Penobscot County FIPS 23019 | 62.9 | 62.9 | 54.5 | 77.8 | 63.8 | 40.9 | 87.1 | $272,566 | $66,356 |
| 6 | Lincoln County FIPS 23015 | 61.3 | 72.3 | 27.6 | 69.7 | 88 | 53.3 | 76.4 | $432,604 | $76,875 |
| 7 | York County FIPS 23031 | 60.4 | 83 | 20.3 | 83.5 | 65.8 | 46.5 | 67.7 | $521,708 | $88,333 |
| 8 | Knox County FIPS 23013 | 60.1 | 67.2 | 25.3 | 75.3 | 96.4 | 34.7 | 79.7 | $433,826 | $74,096 |
| 9 | Waldo County FIPS 23027 | 60.1 | 62.4 | 47.8 | 48.2 | 95.3 | 46.2 | 79.9 | $332,938 | $72,782 |
| 10 | Kennebec County FIPS 23011 | 58.6 | 70.7 | 48.9 | 58.8 | 57.9 | 44.2 | 77.5 | $311,145 | $69,077 |
| 11 | Franklin County FIPS 23007 | 58.2 | 54.9 | 40.6 | 54 | 97 | 51.7 | 75.8 | $283,608 | $58,675 |
| 12 | Washington County FIPS 23029 | 57.7 | 42.4 | 63.9 | 41.2 | 94.6 | 46.8 | 80.6 | $192,414 | $56,024 |
| 13 | Somerset County FIPS 23025 | 56.3 | 54.3 | 57.7 | 30.7 | 86.8 | 50.5 | 81.1 | $229,116 | $58,179 |
| 14 | Piscataquis County FIPS 23021 | 55.2 | 40.8 | 58.4 | 31.8 | 95.4 | 58.4 | 78.1 | $222,491 | $61,345 |
| 15 | Oxford County FIPS 23017 | 53.6 | 60.2 | 34.9 | 35.7 | 91.2 | 52.6 | 74 | $317,812 | $60,173 |
| 16 | Androscoggin County FIPS 23001 | 52.7 | 66 | 44.4 | 46.5 | 54.8 | 37.9 | 74.9 | $325,850 | $67,873 |