Bar Harbor, ME vs Houlton, ME

The cost of living difference between Bar Harbor, ME and Houlton, ME is dramatic. Houlton is 60.2% cheaper than Bar Harbor, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Bar Harbor has a cost index of 108 while Houlton sits at 67, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Bar Harbor is $1,084/month compared to $719/month in Houlton — a 51% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Houlton is more affordable at $121,700 median vs $479,600.

Median household income in Bar Harbor is $72,750 compared to $52,227 in Houlton (+39.3%). The higher salaries in Bar Harbor partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Bar Harbor spend roughly 17.9% of their income on rent, more than the 16.5% in Houlton.

Climate-wise, Bar Harbor is notably warmer with an average of 45°F compared to 40.7°F in Houlton. Bar Harbor receives more rainfall at 41.7" per year compared to 39.3" in Houlton.