In Sanford, a typical home is worth $280,200 and typical rent is $1,152 a month. Compared with all of York County, the typical home value is 29% lower, typical household income is 18% lower, and the share of households that own their home is 6 points lower.
Typical home value from Zillow, September 2021 to September 2026: from $282,366 to $371,657.
Typical rent
$1,795a month
▲ 6% more than 12 months ago
Typical rent from Zillow, September 2025 to September 2026: from $1,692 to $1,795.
From Zillow (ZHVI/ZORI), September 2026. The Census figures above are 5-year averages (2020–2024).
Sanford is in York County. The FHA loan limit ($615,250 for a one-unit home), the fair market rents and the help on this page are those of all of York County. See the county
What this place has that others do not, from public data, most unusual first.
1
The typical home in Sanford is worth $280,200,29% less than in York County as a whole ($395,700).
2
The typical household income in Sanford is $72,524,18% less than in York County as a whole ($88,333).
3
71% of households in Sanford own their home, against 77% in York County.
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (Average 2020–2024).
The homes here
Housing in Sanford
What homes there are in Sanford, what they cost, how that changed and how people live, from Census figures (2020–2024).
What homes there are
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
Kind of home
Detached houseAttached houseBuilding of 2 to 4Apartments (5 or more)Mobile homeBoat, RV and otherUnreliable estimate
Sanford
York County
Maine
United States
Kind of home: Sanford and its comparisons
Measure
Sanford
York County
Maine
United States
Detached house
61%
70%
70%
61%
Attached house
Unreliable estimate
4%
3%
6%
Building of 2 to 4
17%
12%
10%
8%
Apartments (5 or more)
12%
9%
9%
19%
Mobile home
6%
6%
8%
6%
Boat, RV and other
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
0%
0%
The detached house is still the most common home in Sanford, but it weighs less than in York County: 61% against 70%.
Year built
Before 19601960–19791980–19992000–20092010 or later
Sanford
York County
Maine
United States
Year built: Sanford and its comparisons
Measure
Sanford
York County
Maine
United States
Before 1960
35%
31%
34%
26%
1960–1979
24%
19%
20%
24%
1980–1999
28%
26%
25%
25%
2000–2009
10%
13%
12%
14%
2010 or later
4%
10%
9%
11%
In Sanford, half of the homes were built before 1975; in York County, before 1980.
In Sanford, 59% of homes have 3 bedrooms or more, about the same as in York County.
What it costs here
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
Value of owner-occupied homes
Under the limitOver the limitUnreliable estimate
Under $100K10%
$100K–$200K14%
$200K–$300K34%
$300K–$500K34%
$500K–$750K6%
FHA limit: $615,250
$750K–$1MUnreliable
$1M or moreUnreliable
Value of owner-occupied homes: Sanford and its comparisons
Measure
Sanford
Under $100K
10%
$100K–$200K
14%
$200K–$300K
34%
$300K–$500K
34%
$500K–$750K
6%
$750K–$1M
Unreliable estimate
$1M or more
Unreliable estimate
The FHA loan limit for York County is $615,250, and about 95% of owner-occupied homes in Sanford are worth less than that.
Monthly rent with utilities
Unreliable estimate
Under $500Unreliable
$500–$99928%
$1,000–$1,49944%
$1,500–$1,99915%
$2,000–$2,499Unreliable
$2,500–$2,999Unreliable
$3,000 or moreUnreliable
Monthly rent with utilities: Sanford and its comparisons
Measure
Sanford
Under $500
Unreliable estimate
$500–$999
28%
$1,000–$1,499
44%
$1,500–$1,999
15%
$2,000–$2,499
Unreliable estimate
$2,500–$2,999
Unreliable estimate
$3,000 or more
Unreliable
With a mortgage
$1,747 a month
York County: $1,988 a month
Without a mortgage
$689 a month
York County: $738 a month
Owners with a mortgage
69%
York County: 63%
Owning costs less in Sanford: with a mortgage, the typical cost is $1,747 a month; in York County, $1,988. Without one, $689.
How it changed
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2015–2019 and 2020–2024
Change since 2015–2019
Typical home value
Sanford+52%
York County+57%
Maine+56%
United States+53%
Typical rent
Sanford+28%
York County+36%
Maine+34%
United States+33%
Typical household income
Sanford+38%
York County+30%
Maine+29%
United States+29%
Change since 2015–2019: Sanford and its comparisons
Measure
Sanford
York County
Maine
United States
Typical home value
+52%
+57%
+56%
+53%
Typical rent
+28%
+36%
+34%
+33%
Typical household income
+38%
+30%
+29%
+29%
Homes in Sanford gained value more slowly than in York County: 52% since 2015–2019, against 57%.
Since 2015–2019, the typical rent in Sanford rose 28%, less than in York County (36%).
The typical household income in Sanford rose 38% over that time; home values changed +52% and rent +28%.
How people live
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
How people live: Sanford and its comparisons
Measure
Sanford
York County
Maine
United States
Rental vacancy
Unreliable estimate
5.2%
4.2%
5.5%
Homeowner vacancy
Unreliable estimate
0.8%
0.7%
0.9%
More than one person per room
Unreliable estimate
1.1%
1.4%
3.4%
People per household
2.28
2.33
2.26
2.53
Drive alone
79%
72%
71%
69%
Carpool
8%
7%
8%
9%
Public transit
Unreliable estimate
1%
1%
3%
Walk or bike
Unreliable estimate
3%
4%
3%
Work from home
10%
17%
16%
15%
Other means
Unreliable estimate
1%
1%
2%
Typical commute
Unreliable estimate
20 to 29 minutes
20 to 29 minutes
20 to 29 minutes
Much as in York County, a household in Sanford has 2.28 people on average.
To get to work, 79% of workers in Sanford drive alone; in York County, 72%.
Do the math
What would you pay each month for a home in Sanford?
A typical home costs more than the typical income allows
We start with a typical home in Sanford, worth $280,200, an FHA loan with 3.5% down and the latest average rate (7.18%). That payment would take 40% of the typical household income in Sanford, which is $72,524 a year. For that payment to be 28% of income, a household would need to earn about $103,401 a year.
The calculator's FHA and conventional loan limits are those of all of York County.
Change the price, the down payment or the loan: the payment updates right away.
Your numbers
Local data
$
Starts at the typical home value in Sanford. Change it to the price you have in mind.
Your score changes which loans apply and FHA's minimum down payment. Your real rate also depends on your credit.
Down payment
%
That is $9,807 (3.5% of the price). The usual minimum for this loan is 3.5%.
This week's average ± a quarter or half point.
National average as of November 5, 2026 (Freddie Mac); your rate may be different.
Adjust advanced details⌄
Estimated monthly payment
Local data
$2,413
at 7.18% · 30 years
Loan amount
$275,125
Total interest
$395,840
Paid off in
November 2056
Includes $4,732 FHA upfront mortgage insurance premium.
Does it fit the income?
Comfortable
up to $1,692 a month
Tight
$1,692 to $2,176 a month
Hard
more than $2,176 a month
Your payment · 40%
Compared with the typical household income in Sanford ($72,524 a year). Reference: HUD calls paying more than 30% of income for housing a cost burden.
Monthly payment breakdown
Principal & interest
$1,864
Property tax
$308
Home insurance
$117
FHA mortgage insurance (MIP)
$124
You need at least $9,807 for the down payment, plus closing costs.
This is an estimate to give you an idea, not a loan offer. Your real payment depends on your rate, your credit, and the insurance and taxes on the home you buy.
Total monthly payment $2,413; principal and interest $1,864.
The city and its county
Sanford and York County
Sanford is in York County, Maine. The U.S. Census Bureau publishes its own numbers for the city: home values, rent, household income, how many households own their home and the property tax. They are American Community Survey estimates (average 2020–2024).
Sanford
Map of York County, Maine, with Sanford marked. Around it, the neighboring counties.
Sanford
York County
Other cities with a page
Sanford's own numbers
Typical home value
$280,200
Typical monthly rent
$1,152
Typical yearly household income
$72,524
Households that own their home
71%
Effective property tax rate
1.32%
U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (average 2020–2024).
Numbers for all of York County
FHA limit, one-unit home
$615,250
Conventional limit, one unit
$832,750
HUD fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
$1,792–$2,376
Price change over 5 years (FHFA)
+67%
HUD, FHFA and FEMA don't publish these numbers by city.
Other numbers are not published by city, only for the whole county: FHA and conventional loan limits, HUD’s fair market rents, FHFA’s price index and FEMA’s flood data. On this page, those numbers always say they are for all of York County.
A typical home in Sanford is worth $280,200: 29% below the county and 6% below Maine. With the typical household income in Sanford ($72,524 a year), a typical home costs 3.9 times what the household earns in a year.
Years of income to pay for a typical home
The typical home value divided by the typical household income for one year. The lower it is, the less buying weighs.
Sanford3.9 years
York4.5 years
Maine4.0 years
United States4.1 years
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Average 2020–2024
How prices have changed in York County
According to FHFA’s house price index, home prices in York County rose 116% in the 10 years through 2025.
FHFA does not publish this index by city: these are the numbers for all of York County.
Yearly change in FHFA’s price index in York County, 2016 to 2025
2016: +4.3% +4.3% 2016
2017: +5.9% +5.9% 2017
2018: +6.6% +6.6% 2018
2019: +4.8% +4.8% 2019
2020: +4.9% +4.9% 2020
2021: +14.4% +14.4% 2021
2022: +15.7% +15.7% 2022
2023: +13.2% +13.2% 2023
2024: +5.2% +5.2% 2024
2025: +5.7% +5.7% 2025
Change in FHFA’s price index in York County, Maine and the United States
Period
County
Maine
U.S.
Last year (2025)
+5.7%
+4.7%
+2.9%
5 years (2020–2025)
+67%
+68%
+47%
10 years (2015–2025)
+116%
+112%
+85%
The index follows the price of the same homes over time (sales and appraisals with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loans). It is not the average price of a home. FHFA considers its annual county indexes experimental. Source: FHFA, 2025 data
Sanford next to York County, Maine and the U.S.
Three numbers side by side. “Typical” means the median: half are above it and half below.
Typical home value
Sanford$280,200
York$395,700
Maine$296,600
United States$332,700
Typical monthly rent
Sanford$1,152
York$1,339
Maine$1,139
United States$1,413
Typical yearly household income
Sanford$72,524
York$88,333
Maine$74,733
United States$80,734
See the full table
Sanford next to York County and Maine
Measure
Sanford
York County
Maine
U.S.
Typical home value
$280,200 ▼29% below the county
$395,700
$296,600
$332,700
Typical monthly rent
$1,152 ▼14% below the county
$1,339
$1,139
$1,413
Typical yearly household income
$72,524 ▼18% below the county
$88,333
$74,733
$80,734
Households that own their home
71% ▼6 points below the county
77%
74%
65%
Typical yearly property tax
$3,708 ▼2% below the county
$3,787
$3,036
$3,119
Effective property tax rate
1.32% ▲0.36 points above the county
0.96%
1.02%
0.94%
Renters with high rent for their income
45% ▲1 points above the county
44%
48%
51%
“Typical” means the median: half are above and half are below. ▲ and ▼ say whether the city is above or below York County. “High rent” is the Census measure: renter households that pay 30% or more of their income in rent.
Four ways to pay for a typical home in Sanford
For a typical $280,200 home in Sanford, at Freddie Mac's average rate (7.18% as of November 5, 2026) over 30 years. The monthly payment adds principal and interest, Sanford's typical property tax, an example home insurance and mortgage insurance when it applies.
FHA, 3.5% down$2,413a month
Least cash to close
Down payment
$9,807
Cash to close
$18,213
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
FHA MIP · $124
Conventional, 5% down$2,361a month
Down payment
$14,010
Cash to close
$22,416
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
PMI · $133
Conventional, 20% down, no PMI$1,944a month
Down payment
$56,040
Cash to close
$64,446
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
None
ITIN, 15% down (example)$2,203a month
Down payment
$42,030
Cash to close
$50,436
Rate
8.18%
Mortgage insurance
None
Four ways to pay for a typical home in Sanford
Loan
Monthly payment
Down payment
Loan amount
Rate
Mortgage insurance
Cash to close
Minimum score
FHA, 3.5% down Least cash to close
$2,413
$9,807
$275,125
7.18%
FHA MIP · $124
$18,213
580
Conventional, 5% down
$2,361
$14,010
$266,190
7.18%
PMI · $133
$22,416
620*
Conventional, 20% down, no PMI
$1,944
$56,040
$224,160
7.18%
None
$64,446
620*
ITIN, 15% down (example)
$2,203
$42,030
$238,170
8.18%
None
$50,436
Set by the lender
The option that asks for the least cash to close is FHA, 3.5% down.
Cash to close = down payment plus 3% of the price in closing costs (example).
Minimum score: FHA requires 580 or higher for the minimum down payment (HUD Handbook 4000.1). * Fannie Mae requires 620 when a loan is underwritten by hand; its automated system has no fixed minimum.
The ITIN row is an example with a rate 1 percentage point higher: ITIN loans follow no federal rule and each lender sets its own down payment and rate. Nothing in this table promises an approval.
Typical rent in Sanford is $1,152 a month: 14% below the county. In Sanford, 45% of renter households pay 30% or more of their income in rent.
HUD publishes a fair market rent for each area of York County; Sanford is in York County, ME (part) HUD Metro FMR Area. To pay the 2-bedroom one ($1,792 a month) without spending more than 30% of your income, you would need to earn $34.46 an hour working full time.
Fair market rent by size in York County, ME (part) HUD Metro FMR Area
What you need to earn to pay it without spending more than 30% of income, working full time.
HUD fair market rent in York County, ME (part) HUD Metro FMR Area (Fiscal year 2027)
Size
Fair rent a month
Hourly wage
Yearly income
Studio
$1,352
$26.00
$54,080
1 bedroom
$1,500
$28.85
$60,000
2 bedrooms
$1,792
$34.46
$71,680
3 bedrooms
$2,464
$47.38
$98,560
4 bedrooms
$2,773
$53.33
$110,920
HUD splits this county into 3 areas with different fair market rents: for 2 bedrooms they run from $1,792 to $2,376. The table by area, below, shows which one each town is in.
Includes basic utilities. It isn't the lowest or highest rent: it's a reference point. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2027
Fair market rent by HUD area in York County
HUD splits this county into 3 areas, each with its own fair market rent. Find your town in its area's list; the housing agency tells you which one it uses for your voucher.
Fair market rent by HUD area in York County
HUD area
Studio
1 bd
2 bd
3 bd
4 bd
Hourly wage, 2 bd
York County, ME (part) HUD Metro FMR AreaThe area where most people liveSanford is in this area20 towns in this area
Acton town, Alfred town, Arundel town, Biddeford city, Cornish town, Dayton town, Kennebunk town, Kennebunkport town, Lebanon town, Limerick town, Lyman town, Newfield town, North Berwick town, Ogunquit town, Parsonsfield town, Saco city, Sanford city, Shapleigh town, Waterboro town, Wells town
$1,352
$1,500
$1,792
$2,464
$2,773
$34.46
York-Kittery-South Berwick, ME HUD Metro FMR Area5 towns in this area
Berwick town, Eliot town, Kittery town, South Berwick town, York town
$1,655
$1,816
$2,376
$2,831
$3,383
$45.69
Portland, ME HUD Metro FMR Area4 towns in this area
Buxton town, Hollis town, Limington town, Old Orchard Beach town
$1,639
$1,864
$2,353
$2,902
$3,092
$45.25
HUD fair market rent by area and size, per month, Fiscal year 2027. The wage is what full-time work must pay to rent 2 bedrooms without spending more than 30% of income. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2027Source: Fair Market Rents (HUD)Fiscal year 2027Fair Market Rents (HUD) (external site)
By ZIP code
Fair market rent by ZIP code in Sanford
HUD also publishes a fair market rent for each ZIP code (Small Area FMR, fiscal year 2027). Sanford has 2 ZIP codes with their own.
For 2 bedrooms it runs from $1,680 in 04073 to $1,760 in 04083.
Fair market rent by ZIP code and size in Sanford, fiscal year 2027.
You do not have to do this alone. A HUD-approved housing counseling agency helps for free or at low cost: getting ready to buy, understanding your credit, or solving a problem with your rent.
We found no HUD-approved agencies with an office in York County. The nearest ones are below; many serve by phone or online.
No down payment, repair or rent-help program on our list is for Sanford or York County. The ones below are statewide in Maine: they work in Sanford the same as in the rest of the state.
With the Maine state agency's First Home mortgage, the buyer gets $5,000 for the down payment and closing costs (up to $14,000 for 2- to 4-unit homes), with no second mortgage.Offered by MaineHousing.
Maine state agency mortgage with a rate 1% lower than its First Home mortgage and a $10,000 grant for the down payment and closing costs, with no second mortgage; for people who have never owned a home and never lived in a home their parents or guardians owned, or who were in foster care.Offered by MaineHousing.
No legal help resource on our list is for Sanford or York County in particular.
If you have a problem with your landlord, an eviction notice or a scam, the Legal Services Corporation (LSC) search shows the free legal aid offices that serve your area.
Short answers with the numbers for Sanford and all of York County. If your case is different, a HUD-approved counseling agency can guide you for free or at low cost.
How much does a typical home cost in Sanford?
The typical home value in Sanford is $280,200, according to the U.S. Census Bureau (average 2020–2024). For comparison, in York County it is $395,700.
How much does it cost to rent in Sanford?
Typical rent in Sanford is $1,152 a month, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. HUD’s fair market rent for 2 bedrooms in York County is $1,792–$2,376.
What is the FHA loan limit in Sanford?
Sanford uses the FHA limit for all of York County (2026): $615,250 for a one-unit home and $1,183,200 for a four-unit home.
How much property tax do owners pay in Sanford?
The typical homeowner in Sanford pays $3,708 a year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That is 1.32% of the home’s value; in York County, the rate is 0.96%.
Where can I find free help to buy or rent in Sanford?
We found no HUD-approved counseling agencies with an office in York County; the nearest ones are on this page. They can help you get ready to buy, with your credit, or with rent.
