Auburn, ME vs Waterville, ME

Waterville is moderately more affordable than Auburn, with a 9.3% lower cost of living index. Auburn scores 86 compared to 79 for Waterville, 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 $957/month in Waterville — a 3% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Waterville is more affordable at $173,700 median vs $254,600.

Median household income in Auburn is $66,552 compared to $47,489 in Waterville (+40.1%). 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 24.2% in Waterville.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (45.7°F vs 46.1°F). Auburn receives more rainfall at 50" per year compared to 41.8" in Waterville.