Auburn, ME vs Orono, ME

Auburn, ME and Orono, ME have a very similar cost of living, with only a 1% difference in their overall index. Auburn scores 86 while Orono scores 85 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Auburn is $983/month compared to $1,150/month in Orono — a 15% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Auburn has cheaper rent, Orono actually has lower median home values ($219,200 vs $254,600).

Median household income in Auburn is $66,552 compared to $56,890 in Orono (+17%). While Auburn is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Auburn spend roughly 17.7% of their income on rent, less than the 24.3% in Orono.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (45.7°F vs 43.2°F). Auburn receives more rainfall at 50" per year compared to 44.4" in Orono.