7 Best Places to Live in Maine
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Median Age
27 Years
Largest Age Group
20-29 Years
Approximately 39% of Residents
Under 20
23%
Over 65
11%
Orono
Orono, ME Area Guide
Avg Rent
$1,375
Population
10,621
Renter Mix
60% Rent
Savor historic charm and college-town appeal on the river
Suburban
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Rural
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Riverside
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College Town
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Scenic
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Charming
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Historic
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Located alongside the Stillwater and Penobscot Rivers just north of Bangor, Orono is a small town brimming with historic charm and New England flair. Orono is home to the largest university in the state, the University of Maine, and offers a college-town vibe with numerous cafes, breweries, bookstores, and apartments available for rent.
The University of Maine contributes an array of cultural amenities to the community, including the Collins Center for the Arts, Hudson Museum, Alfond Arena, and much more. The Fay Hyland Botanical Garden is also located on campus, providing plenty of lush natural beauty along the Stillwater River.
Orono offers endless opportunities for outdoor recreation, from strolling the Orono Bog Boardwalk to fishing in Pushaw Lake and everything in between. The close-knit community in Orono comes together for a wide variety of events as well, including seasonal concert series, local club meetings, festivals, and farmers markets. Quick access to I-95, U.S. 2, and Bangor International Airport makes getting around from Orono simple.
Demographics
Median Household Income
$55,451
Average: $88,038
Education
4,714
Residents Have a Degree
Job Market
4,778
Workers Employed
Age Distribution
Get a sense of this area's population profile.
Housing Distribution
Orono has more renters than homeowners.
Renters
60%
Non-Renters
40%
Education Distribution
Review this city's overall education levels.
Bachelor's or Higher
38%
Other Education
62%
Rent Trends
As of April 2026, the average apartment rent in Orono, ME is $1,377 for one bedroom, $1,633 for two bedrooms, and $2,421 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in Orono has increased by 0.1% in the past year.
Property Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Apartment
$1,377/month
627 Sq Ft
Learn More About Orono
Getting Around
Explore how walkable, bikeable, drivable, and transit-friendly Orono, ME is for everyday living.
Not Walkable
Walkability
10
/ 100
Exceptionally Drivable
Drivability
100
/ 100
Fairly Bikeable
Bikeability
50
/ 100
Scores provided by
Schools
Public
Grades K-5
Public
Grades 6-8
Public
Grades 9-12
School data provided by
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Data provided by
GreatSchools.org
© 2026. All rights reserved.
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Data provided by
GreatSchools.org
© 2026. All rights reserved.
Points of Interest
Shopping Centers
Parks and Recreation
- Bangor City Forest and Orono Bog Boardwalk
- Emera Astronomy Center (Jordan Planetarium)
- Maynard F. Jordan Observatory
- Walden-Parke Preserve
- West Penjajawoc Grasslands
Airports
- Bangor International
Colleges
Top Apartments in Orono
Houses for Rent in Orono
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Methodology
† Our analysis of utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, home prices, and other goods and services is sourced from the Cost of Living Index, a respected benchmark published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) that provides a thorough overview of living expenses across different regions.
Rent data is provided by CoStar Group’s Market Trend reports. As the industry leader in commercial real estate information, analytics, and news, CoStar conducts extensive research to produce and maintain a comprehensive database of commercial real estate information. We combine this data with public record to provide the most up-to-date rental information available.
Consumer goods, services, and home prices are sourced from the Cost of Living Index published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER). The data on this page is updated quarterly. It was last published in February 2026.
Demographic information comes from Neustar and combines detailed address data with U.S. Census and American Community Survey statistics to produce reliable local estimates.