What that salary actually buys in Lewiston
Why a couple, no kids in Lewiston costs $106,400
Lewiston's cost-of-living index of 112 means everyday costs run roughly 12% above the national average. To maintain a couple, no kids, the standard national-average baseline of $95,000 adjusts to $106,400 here.
The biggest line item: rent
A 1-bedroom in Lewiston averages $1,600/month — that's $19,200/year, or about 18% of the salary required for this lifestyle. Most financial planning rules suggest keeping housing under 30% of take-home pay; on this salary, your housing cap would be $1,915/month, which comfortably covers a 1-bedroom in Lewiston.
Take-home reality
Your gross is $106,400, but federal taxes, FICA, and Maine state taxes typically eat 25-30%. After-tax income lands around $6,384/month — that's the number that has to cover housing, transportation, food, and savings. If that feels tight for the lifestyle you have in mind, scale up your salary target.
Comparison: Lewiston's median income
Lewiston's median household income is $52,234, which is below the required salary for this tier. That means most households in Lewiston earn below this threshold and may be making tradeoffs to maintain a couple, no kids.