Lewiston (the larger Lewiston–Auburn metro area) is a mid-sized New England city on the Androscoggin River with a legacy of manufacturing, an active downtown, and an important institutional anchor in Bates College nearby. In recent years Lewiston has seen growing interest from buyers seeking more affordability than southern Maine while keeping access to healthcare, education and regional transport. Current market snapshots place Lewiston’s typical home values in the low- to mid-hundreds of thousands, with medians varying by source and ZIP code. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}
Over the last decade Lewiston’s housing market recorded steady appreciation with some faster growth in the 2020–2023 period. National and local feeds (Redfin, Zillow and CBSA series) show year-over-year gains and an increase in $/ft² metrics — for example Redfin reported a median sale price near $328K and a median sale $/ft² of about $188 in recent snapshots, while Zillow’s home-value index for Lewiston shows city-level averages in the low-hundreds of thousands. These figures point to moderate but persistent demand, with renovated and well-located homes moving faster and often receiving multiple offers. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}
For planners and buyers: expect continued moderate appreciation in 2026 rather than boom-level spikes — local demand is driven by affordability, institutional employers, and renewed downtown investment. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}
U.S. real estate platforms usually report prices per square foot. Use this conversion to display metric prices:
1 ft² = 0.092903 m² — multiply $/ft² by 10.7639 to get $/m².
| Tier / context | Example $ / ft² | Converted $ / m² | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| City median (representative) | $188 / ft² | $2,024 / m² | Redfin recent median sale $/ft² for Lewiston area. :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3} |
| Higher-end pockets / suburbs | $211 / ft² | $2,273 / m² | Representative of affluent ZIPs / listings (Realtor ZIP data). :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4} |
| Entry & fixer inventory | $85 / ft² | $915 / m² | Older downtown units and fixer-uppers — lower $/ft². |
Use the listing-specific $/ft² for exact conversions; local medians vary by micro-market and year. FRED CBSA series also show median listing $/ft² levels (Lewiston-Auburn CBSA) useful for time-series analysis. :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}
Lewiston contains a mix of downtown and riverside cores, hillside residential streets, and adjacent small neighborhoods often named locally (Downtown, Webster Street, Pond Road are commonly referenced). City and neighborhood guides list multiple wards and named blocks used by residents and brokers. Prices and character change quickly from block to block — proximity to Bates College, the riverfront, and recent downtown investment tends to raise buyer interest and pricing. :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}
In simple terms:
Safety in Lewiston shows variation by source and neighborhood. Third-party safety aggregators and local trackers produce mixed signals: some analyses indicate that parts of the east side are relatively safer while southwest or industrial-adjacent blocks historically report higher incident rates. Other monitors show Lewiston’s overall crime rate near or below some national averages depending on metric and timeframe. Block-level checks, local police reports and community feedback remain essential for site decisions. :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}
Infrastructure highlights that influence demand:
The four neighborhoods below are selected for deeper, dedicated pages (each page will include active listings, school context, micro-safety maps, and renovation guidance).
Downtown is the commercial and cultural heart: historic brick buildings, restaurants, arts venues and a growing number of converted lofts and apartments. Downtown offers a range of price points from affordable fixer-uppers to modernized condos. Recent revitalization efforts have increased investor activity and rental demand. :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}
Webster Street and the areas near Bates College attract buyers and renters tied to the college and to nearby employers. Homes here include charming early-20th-century houses and carefully updated properties; proximity to campus makes some blocks desirable and competitive. :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}
Pond Road and adjacent hillside neighborhoods offer mid-size lots, family-oriented streets, and a mixture of mid-century and older homes. These areas are often seen as good value for families seeking yard space near city services. Local buyers appreciate the quiet streets and access to parks. :contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10}
The suburban fringes and nearby Auburn opportunities provide larger lots and newer construction; townships and outer ZIPs often command higher medians than the city core and are preferred by buyers seeking lower taxes, newer schools, and more space. Realtor and ZIP-level data show these suburban pockets often at the top end of local medians. :contentReference[oaicite:11]{index=11}
The table below gives an indicative comparison of the four featured areas. Figures are rounded for planning purposes — always request current MLS reports for transaction decisions.
| Neighborhood | Indicative median | Indicative $/m² | Safety / notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Downtown Lewiston | $210k–$320k | $1,150–$1,750 / m² | Affordable entry points plus renovated condos; improving urban amenities. :contentReference[oaicite:12]{index=12} |
| Webster St. / Bates corridor | $260k–$380k | $1,420–$2,075 / m² | College-adjacent; competitive demand for well-maintained homes. :contentReference[oaicite:13]{index=13} |
| Pond Road & Hills | $200k–$290k | $1,095–$1,585 / m² | Family-oriented streets; good yard space and parks. :contentReference[oaicite:14]{index=14} |
| Suburban/Outer ZIPs (Auburn & fringes) | $320k–$450k | $1,740–$2,450 / m² | Higher medians in suburban ZIPs — top of the local market. :contentReference[oaicite:15]{index=15} |
Practical next steps:
This page synthesizes public listing platforms (Redfin, Zillow, Realtor), county and CBSA time-series (FRED) and neighborhood directories to construct a 10-year demand view and representative $/m² conversions. Key load-bearing references used for medians, $/ft² and safety notes are cited inline. Analytical summaries and price conversions were produced with the assistance of artificial intelligence and then reviewed and edited by the author for clarity and consistency. :contentReference[oaicite:17]{index=17}
Disclaimer: numbers are indicative and rounded for planning and comparison. For transaction decisions obtain a current MLS report, a licensed appraisal and a site inspection.