Gorham is 20% more expensive
than the national average with a median income of $125,058
and a population of 7,365.
North Windham is 1% more expensive
than the national average with a median income of $86,972
and a population of 5,633.
Sanford is 7% cheaper
than the national average with a median income of $70,570
and a population of 22,095.
Ellsworth is 18% cheaper
than the national average with a median income of $70,990
and a population of 8,550.
Westbrook is 6% more expensive
than the national average with a median income of $85,868
and a population of 20,484.
Auburn is 14% cheaper
than the national average with a median income of $66,552
and a population of 24,294.
Bangor is 20% cheaper
than the national average with a median income of $58,096
and a population of 31,663.
Saco is 5% more expensive
than the national average with a median income of $84,328
and a population of 20,636.
Lewiston is 18% cheaper
than the national average with a median income of $56,558
and a population of 37,886.
Topsham is 1% more expensive
than the national average with a median income of $80,545
and a population of 6,962.
Biddeford is 1% more expensive
than the national average with a median income of $69,794
and a population of 22,463.
Gardiner is 20% cheaper
than the national average with a median income of $58,152
and a population of 6,047.
Bath is 11% cheaper
than the national average with a median income of $65,565
and a population of 8,801.
Waterville is 21% cheaper
than the national average with a median income of $47,489
and a population of 16,704.
Augusta is 22% cheaper
than the national average with a median income of $48,756
and a population of 18,999.
How We Rank the Best Places to Live
Our livability score combines four data-driven factors: affordability (35% — cost of living index relative to national average),
income (25% — median household income from the Census Bureau),
housing value (15% — home price to income ratio), and
climate (15% — NOAA temperature normals favoring moderate climates).
Population serves as a proxy for amenities (10%).
Only cities with at least 5,000–10,000 residents are included. Data sourced from the
US Census Bureau, Zillow, HUD, and NOAA.