Estimate your Maine property tax based on the state's 1.08% average effective rate. Enter your home value for an instant, free calculation.
Enter any tax exemption amount you qualify for in Maine
Maine's property taxes are run by municipalities, which tax the 'just value' (market value) of property owned as of April 1. A statewide homestead exemption knocks $25,000 off a permanent resident's taxable value.
Maine property taxes are administered by municipalities, which tax the just (market) value of property owned as of April 1 each year. Two statewide equity rules apply: assessed values may not fall below 70% of fair market value, and two similar properties may not differ in assessed value by more than 20%, or the town must revalue. Rates are stated in mills — dollars of tax per $1,000 of assessed value.
| Home Value | Estimated Annual Tax | Monthly (Escrow) |
|---|---|---|
| $250,000 | $2,700 | $225/mo |
| $314,000 (median) | $3,391 | $283/mo |
| $600,000 | $6,480 | $540/mo |
Effective rates vary within Maine. These figures are median-tax-to-median-value estimates from U.S. Census ACS data (2019–2023 ACS 5-year (SmartAsset)) for some of the most populous counties:
| County | Effective Rate |
|---|---|
| Cumberland County | 0.97% |
| York County | 0.86% |
| Penobscot County | 0.99% |
| Kennebec County | 1.00% |
| Androscoggin County | 0.96% |
| Aroostook County | 1.04% |
Among these counties, effective rates range from about 0.86% in York County to 1.04% in Aroostook County. Your actual rate depends on the local mill/millage set by your county, city, and school district.
Maine's Homestead Exemption reduces the taxable value of a permanent resident's home by $25,000 (adjusted by the town's certified assessment ratio). To qualify, the owner must have owned a Maine homestead for at least 12 months and occupy the property as a permanent residence as of April 1; applications are due to the assessor by April 1.
A veteran who served during a recognized war period and is 62 or older, or is 100% disabled, is eligible for a $6,000 exemption from just value; a veteran with a specially adapted housing grant may receive $50,000. Legally blind residents get a $4,000 exemption. Maine also offers the income-based Property Tax Fairness Credit and a state deferral program for seniors and disabled homeowners.
Due dates are set locally. Many municipalities bill in two installments (commonly September and the following March), and the owner of record on April 1 is liable for the full year's tax. Unpaid taxes accrue interest at a municipally set rate and can lead to a tax lien and foreclosure.
File an abatement application with the municipal assessor within 185 days of the tax commitment date. If denied, the owner generally has 60 days to appeal to the local board of assessment review (or county commissioners), then to the State Board of Property Tax Review or Superior Court.
Maine's statewide effective property tax rate is about 0.90% of home value, right around the national average, with a statewide median annual bill of roughly $3,100. Rates are set locally in mills and vary by municipality.
Permanent residents who have owned a Maine home for at least 12 months can exempt $25,000 of taxable value (adjusted by the town's certified ratio) by applying to the assessor by April 1.
Cumberland County (Portland) has the highest median property tax bill at nearly $4,900, though its effective rate (~0.97%) is close to the state average. Aroostook County has a higher effective rate (~1.04%) but much lower dollar bills due to lower home values.