MECEP believes that Maine families should have adequate food and shelter and be able to achieve long-term economic security through educational opportunities and livable wage employment.

New 2006 Basic Needs Budgets and Livable Wage Estimates

The following are the 2006 basic needs budgets and livable wage estimates for Maine statewide, counties, and metropolitan statistical areas (MSA). They are in table format and are organized by family structure. A methodology that explains the calculations and data sources is also included.

State and County Livable Wage Estimates:

• Maine State Average
• Androscoggin County
• Aroostook County
• Cumberland County
• Franklin County
• Hancock County
• Kennebec County
• Knox County
• Lincoln County
• Oxford County
• Penobscot County
• Piscataquis County
• Sagadahoc County
• Somerset County
• Waldo County
• Washington County
• York County

Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSA):

• Bangor MSA
• Lewiston-Auburn MSA
• Portland MSA
• York-Kittery-South Berwick MSA

Basic Needs Budget Methodology:

• MECEP 2006 Methodology

	Report: The Housing Choice Voucher Program: Providing Local Relief to Maine with Federal Low-Income Housing Reform May 08, 2008 by Nicole Witherbee, Ph.D.
	Choices: Low-Income Housing Reforms Apr 15, 2008 by Nicole Witherbee, Ph.D, Federal Budget Analyst
	Choices: State of Working Maine 2007 Sep 04, 2007 by Edmund Cervone