In Waterville, a typical home is worth $184,600 and typical rent is $978 a month. Compared with all of Kennebec County, the typical home value is 23% lower, typical household income is 22% lower, and the share of households that own their home is 25 points lower.
Typical home value from Zillow, September 2021 to September 2026: from $172,475 to $250,401.
Typical rent
$1,342a month
▲ 5.9% more than 12 months ago
Typical rent from Zillow, March 2025 to September 2026: from $1,248 to $1,342.
From Zillow (ZHVI/ZORI), September 2026. The Census figures above are 5-year averages (2020–2024).
Waterville is in Kennebec County. The FHA loan limit ($541,287 for a one-unit home), the fair market rents and the help on this page are those of all of Kennebec County. See the county
What this place has that others do not, from public data, most unusual first.
1
49% of households in Waterville own their home, against 74% in Kennebec County.
2
The typical home in Waterville is worth $184,600,23% less than in Kennebec County as a whole ($238,200).
3
The typical household income in Waterville is $53,580,22% less than in Kennebec County as a whole ($69,077).
4
Nearby, in Skowhegan, the typical home value is $156,400: 15% less than in Waterville ($184,600).
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (Average 2020–2024).
The homes here
Housing in Waterville
What homes there are in Waterville, 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
Waterville
Kennebec County
Maine
United States
Kind of home: Waterville and its comparisons
Measure
Waterville
Kennebec County
Maine
United States
Detached house
41%
68%
70%
61%
Attached house
3%
1%
3%
6%
Building of 2 to 4
30%
12%
10%
8%
Apartments (5 or more)
Unreliable estimate
10%
9%
19%
Mobile home
4%
10%
8%
6%
Boat, RV and other
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
0%
0%
Homes in Waterville are varied: detached houses are the largest group, at 41%, against 68% in Kennebec County.
Year built
Before 19601960–19791980–19992000–20092010 or laterUnreliable estimate
Waterville
Kennebec County
Maine
United States
Year built: Waterville and its comparisons
Measure
Waterville
Kennebec County
Maine
United States
Before 1960
52%
34%
34%
26%
1960–1979
29%
23%
20%
24%
1980–1999
14%
24%
25%
25%
2000–2009
Unreliable estimate
12%
12%
14%
2010 or later
2%
7%
9%
11%
In Waterville, half of the homes were built before 1959; in Kennebec County, before 1975.
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 $100K18%
$100K–$200K36%
$200K–$300K24%
$300K–$500K19%
$500K–$750KUnreliable
FHA limit: $541,287
$750K–$1MUnreliable
$1M or moreUnreliable
Value of owner-occupied homes: Waterville and its comparisons
Measure
Waterville
Under $100K
18%
$100K–$200K
36%
$200K–$300K
24%
$300K–$500K
19%
$500K–$750K
Unreliable estimate
$750K–$1M
Unreliable estimate
$1M or more
Unreliable estimate
With an FHA limit of $541,287, at least 97% of owner-occupied homes in Waterville sit below it: they are worth less than $500,000.
Monthly rent with utilities
Unreliable estimate
Under $500Unreliable
$500–$99941%
$1,000–$1,49939%
$1,500–$1,999Unreliable
$2,000–$2,499Unreliable
$2,500–$2,999Unreliable
$3,000 or moreUnreliable
Monthly rent with utilities: Waterville and its comparisons
Measure
Waterville
Under $500
Unreliable estimate
$500–$999
41%
$1,000–$1,499
39%
$1,500–$1,999
Unreliable estimate
$2,000–$2,499
Unreliable estimate
$2,500–$2,999
Unreliable estimate
$3,000 or more
Unreliable estimate
With a mortgage
$1,371 a month
Kennebec County: $1,499 a month
Without a mortgage
$623 a month
Kennebec County: $593 a month
Owners with a mortgage
58%
Kennebec County: 59%
In Waterville, 58% of owners have a mortgage, and their typical cost is $1,371 a month, against $1,499 in Kennebec County. Without one it drops to $623.
How it changed
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2015–2019 and 2020–2024
Change since 2015–2019
Typical home value
Waterville+48%
Kennebec County+49%
Maine+56%
United States+53%
Typical rent
Waterville+35%
Kennebec County+30%
Maine+34%
United States+33%
Typical household income
Waterville+38%
Kennebec County+25%
Maine+29%
United States+29%
Change since 2015–2019: Waterville and its comparisons
Measure
Waterville
Kennebec County
Maine
United States
Typical home value
+48%
+49%
+56%
+53%
Typical rent
+35%
+30%
+34%
+33%
Typical household income
+38%
+25%
+29%
+29%
From 2015–2019 to 2020–2024, home values in Waterville rose at about the same pace as in Kennebec County: 48% against 49%.
Rents in Waterville rose faster than in Kennebec County: 35% since 2015–2019, against 30%.
The typical household income in Waterville rose 38% over that time; home values changed +48% and rent +35%.
How people live
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
How people live: Waterville and its comparisons
Measure
Waterville
Kennebec County
Maine
United States
Rental vacancy
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
4.2%
5.5%
Homeowner vacancy
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
0.7%
0.9%
More than one person per room
Unreliable estimate
1.3%
1.4%
3.4%
People per household
2.08
2.25
2.26
2.53
Drive alone
69%
74%
71%
69%
Carpool
4%
7%
8%
9%
Public transit
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
1%
3%
Walk or bike
Unreliable estimate
3%
4%
3%
Work from home
17%
15%
16%
15%
Other means
Unreliable estimate
2%
1%
2%
Typical commute
10 to 19 minutes
20 to 29 minutes
20 to 29 minutes
20 to 29 minutes
On average, a household in Waterville has 2.08 people, fewer than in Kennebec County (2.25).
In Waterville, 69% of workers drive alone to work; in Kennebec County, 74%.
Do the math
What would you pay each month for a home in Waterville?
A typical home costs more than the typical income allows
We start with a typical home in Waterville, worth $184,600, an FHA loan with 3.5% down and the latest average rate (7.18%). That payment would take 36% of the typical household income in Waterville, which is $53,580 a year. For that payment to be 28% of income, a household would need to earn about $69,243 a year.
The calculator's FHA and conventional loan limits are those of all of Kennebec 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 Waterville. 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 $6,461 (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
$1,616
at 7.18% · 30 years
Loan amount
$181,256
Total interest
$260,785
Paid off in
November 2056
Includes $3,117 FHA upfront mortgage insurance premium.
Does it fit the income?
Comfortable
up to $1,250 a month
Tight
$1,250 to $1,607 a month
Hard
more than $1,607 a month
Your payment · 36%
Compared with the typical household income in Waterville ($53,580 a year). Reference: HUD calls paying more than 30% of income for housing a cost burden.
Monthly payment breakdown
Principal & interest
$1,228
Property tax
$229
Home insurance
$77
FHA mortgage insurance (MIP)
$82
You need at least $6,461 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 $1,616; principal and interest $1,228.
The city and its county
Waterville and Kennebec County
Waterville is in Kennebec 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).
Waterville
Map of Kennebec County, Maine, with Waterville marked. Around it, the neighboring counties.
Waterville
Kennebec County
Other cities with a page
Waterville's own numbers
Typical home value
$184,600
Typical monthly rent
$978
Typical yearly household income
$53,580
Households that own their home
49%
Effective property tax rate
1.49%
U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (average 2020–2024).
Numbers for all of Kennebec County
FHA limit, one-unit home
$541,287
Conventional limit, one unit
$832,750
HUD fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
$1,374
Price change over 5 years (FHFA)
+71%
Homes in a high flood-risk zone
2.8%
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 Kennebec County.
A typical home in Waterville is worth $184,600: 23% below the county and 38% below Maine. With the typical household income in Waterville ($53,580 a year), a typical home costs 3.4 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.
Waterville3.4 years
Kennebec3.4 years
Maine4.0 years
United States4.1 years
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Average 2020–2024
How prices have changed in Kennebec County
According to FHFA’s house price index, home prices in Kennebec County rose 108% in the 10 years through 2025.
FHFA does not publish this index by city: these are the numbers for all of Kennebec County.
Yearly change in FHFA’s price index in Kennebec County, 2016 to 2025
2016: +2.9% +2.9% 2016
2017: +0.6% +0.6% 2017
2018: +7.1% +7.1% 2018
2019: +4.4% +4.4% 2019
2020: +5.3% +5.3% 2020
2021: +17.5% +17.5% 2021
2022: +17.4% +17.4% 2022
2023: +9.9% +9.9% 2023
2024: +7.2% +7.2% 2024
2025: +5.1% +5.1% 2025
Change in FHFA’s price index in Kennebec County, Maine and the United States
Period
County
Maine
U.S.
Last year (2025)
+5.1%
+4.7%
+2.9%
5 years (2020–2025)
+71%
+68%
+47%
10 years (2015–2025)
+108%
+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
Waterville next to Kennebec 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
Waterville$184,600
Kennebec$238,200
Maine$296,600
United States$332,700
Typical monthly rent
Waterville$978
Kennebec$992
Maine$1,139
United States$1,413
Typical yearly household income
Waterville$53,580
Kennebec$69,077
Maine$74,733
United States$80,734
See the full table
Waterville next to Kennebec County and Maine
Measure
Waterville
Kennebec County
Maine
U.S.
Typical home value
$184,600 ▼23% below the county
$238,200
$296,600
$332,700
Typical monthly rent
$978
$992
$1,139
$1,413
Typical yearly household income
$53,580 ▼22% below the county
$69,077
$74,733
$80,734
Households that own their home
49% ▼25 points below the county
74%
74%
65%
Typical yearly property tax
$2,755 ▲6% above the county
$2,605
$3,036
$3,119
Effective property tax rate
1.49% ▲0.4 points above the county
1.09%
1.02%
0.94%
Renters with high rent for their income
51% ▲2 points above the county
49%
48%
51%
“Typical” means the median: half are above and half are below. ▲ and ▼ say whether the city is above or below Kennebec 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 Waterville
For a typical $184,600 home in Waterville, at Freddie Mac's average rate (7.18% as of November 5, 2026) over 30 years. The monthly payment adds principal and interest, Waterville's typical property tax, an example home insurance and mortgage insurance when it applies.
FHA, 3.5% down$1,616a month
Least cash to close
Down payment
$6,461
Cash to close
$11,999
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
FHA MIP · $82
Conventional, 5% down$1,582a month
Down payment
$9,230
Cash to close
$14,768
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
PMI · $88
Conventional, 20% down, no PMI$1,307a month
Down payment
$36,920
Cash to close
$42,458
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
None
ITIN, 15% down (example)$1,477a month
Down payment
$27,690
Cash to close
$33,228
Rate
8.18%
Mortgage insurance
None
Four ways to pay for a typical home in Waterville
Loan
Monthly payment
Down payment
Loan amount
Rate
Mortgage insurance
Cash to close
Minimum score
FHA, 3.5% down Least cash to close
$1,616
$6,461
$181,256
7.18%
FHA MIP · $82
$11,999
580
Conventional, 5% down
$1,582
$9,230
$175,370
7.18%
PMI · $88
$14,768
620*
Conventional, 20% down, no PMI
$1,307
$36,920
$147,680
7.18%
None
$42,458
620*
ITIN, 15% down (example)
$1,477
$27,690
$156,910
8.18%
None
$33,228
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 Waterville is $978 a month: about the same as the county. In Waterville, 51% of renter households pay 30% or more of their income in rent.
HUD publishes a fair market rent for all of Kennebec County, by unit size. To pay the 2-bedroom one ($1,374 a month) without spending more than 30% of your income, you would need to earn $26.42 an hour working full time.
What you need to earn to pay it without spending more than 30% of income, working full time.
HUD fair market rent in Kennebec County (Fiscal year 2027)
Size
Fair rent a month
Hourly wage
Yearly income
Studio
$1,043
$20.06
$41,720
1 bedroom
$1,050
$20.19
$42,000
2 bedrooms
$1,374
$26.42
$54,960
3 bedrooms
$1,767
$33.98
$70,680
4 bedrooms
$2,167
$41.67
$86,680
Includes basic utilities. It isn't the lowest or highest rent: it's a reference point. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2027
By ZIP code
Fair market rent by ZIP code in Waterville
HUD also publishes a fair market rent for each ZIP code (Small Area FMR, fiscal year 2027). Waterville is in ZIP code 04901.
For 2 bedrooms it is $1,360: $14 less than the fair market rent for Kennebec County ($1,374).
Fair market rent by ZIP code and size in Waterville, fiscal year 2027.
ZIP code
Studio
1 bd
2 bd
3 bd
4 bd
04901
$1,030
$1,040
$1,360
$1,750
$2,140
ZIP code2 bd3 bd
04901 $1,360$1,750
1 of these ZIP codes crosses the city line: HUD sets the rent by ZIP code, not by city. A ZIP code counts for Waterville when at least 50% of its land is inside the city or it covers at least 15% of the city (Census 2020 boundaries). Source: Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD)Fiscal year 2027Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) (external site)Source: Census Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship fileData from 2020 dataCensus Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship file (external site)
HUD lists 9 buildings with rents for lower incomes in Waterville. These are the largest.
Elm Towers60 Elm St, Waterville 04901194 low-income homes · Run by Waterville Housing Authority · Average payment: $514 a month · Average wait: 27 months(207) 873-2155
Seton Village1 Carver St, Waterville 04901140 low-income homes · For older adults
ST. Francis Apartments52 Elm St, Waterville 0490140 low-income homes · For older adults
Gilman School21 Gilman St, Waterville35 low-income homes · 1 bd: 15 · 2 bd: 13 · 3 bd: 7 · In service since 2011 · For families
Durbin Apartments6 Kimball St, Waterville 0490128 low-income homes · For older adults
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.
There is 1 HUD-approved agency with an office in Kennebec County; none says it serves in Spanish.
No down payment, repair or rent-help program on our list is for Waterville or Kennebec County. The ones below are statewide in Maine: they work in Waterville 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 Waterville or Kennebec 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 Waterville and all of Kennebec 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 Waterville?
The typical home value in Waterville is $184,600, according to the U.S. Census Bureau (average 2020–2024). For comparison, in Kennebec County it is $238,200.
How much does it cost to rent in Waterville?
Typical rent in Waterville is $978 a month, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. HUD’s fair market rent for 2 bedrooms in Kennebec County is $1,374.
What is the FHA loan limit in Waterville?
Waterville uses the FHA limit for all of Kennebec County (2026): $541,287 for a one-unit home and $1,041,125 for a four-unit home.
How much property tax do owners pay in Waterville?
The typical homeowner in Waterville pays $2,755 a year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That is 1.49% of the home’s value; in Kennebec County, the rate is 1.09%.
Where can I find free help to buy or rent in Waterville?
There is 1 HUD-approved counseling agency with an office in Kennebec County. They can help you get ready to buy, with your credit, or with rent.
