New Rankings: The Top Three Most Down-To-Earth Cities in Maine

We’ve got plenty of humble, down-to-earth cities and towns in our Pine Tree State, but these stand out near the very top for 2025.

Here in Maine, we’re a hardworking, nose-to-the-grindstone bunch who take pride in earning what we have and appreciating it without looking down on others. It’s no surprise, then, that our state is filled with cities, towns, and communities that could easily be considered humble and down-to-earth.

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That said, how exactly do we know—or at least, how do we decide—which cities make the list, and what qualifies them as the three ‘most down-to-earth’ in our state?

To identify the rankings for this list, we turned to ChatGPT and asked it to rank the top three based on what it interprets as making one place more ‘down-to-earth’ than another.

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With that established, which cities in Maine ranked as the most down-to-earth in all of Vacationland, at least according to AI, in 2025?

Again, it’s worth repeating—these rankings were made by artificial intelligence, and we’re just the messenger. So if you’re upset your city or town didn’t make the list, don’t blame us—take it up with the AI.

Millinocket ranks third for its no-nonsense, hardworking character shaped by its history as a mill town.

The AI highlighted how the Millinocket community has stayed grounded even after the paper industry declined, with locals embracing outdoor life at the gateway to Baxter State Park and Katahdin.

Skowhegan ranks second for its strong sense of tradition and community pride.

ChatGPT looked at Skowhegan's annual Maine Maple Sunday weekend and its farming roots as examples of the humble, ‘roll-up-your-sleeves’ energy that makes the community feel welcoming and genuine.

Rumford ranks first as Maine’s most down-to-earth town, thanks to its deep roots in the working class and a culture that ‘values resilience over flash.’

According to the AI, life in Rumford remains simple, centered around family, neighbors, and the Androscoggin River that has always been at the heart of the community.

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And there you have it—apparently, the top three most down-to-earth cities in Maine for 2025 are Millinocket, Skowhegan, and Rumford.

What are your thoughts on these rankings? Do you think artificial intelligence got it right? We’d love to hear from you! Feel free to join the conversation by messaging us on the app.

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