Auburn, ME vs Ellsworth, ME

Ellsworth is moderately more affordable than Auburn, with a 5% lower cost of living index. Auburn scores 86 compared to 82 for Ellsworth, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Auburn can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Auburn is $983/month compared to $955/month in Ellsworth — a 3% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Ellsworth is more affordable at $214,500 median vs $254,600.

Median household income in Auburn is $66,552 compared to $70,990 in Ellsworth (-6.3%). Ellsworth offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Auburn spend roughly 17.7% of their income on rent, more than the 16.1% in Ellsworth.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (45.7°F vs 45°F). Auburn receives more rainfall at 50" per year compared to 41.7" in Ellsworth.