Calais, ME vs Chisholm, ME

Calais, ME and Chisholm, ME have a very similar cost of living, with only a 1.3% difference in their overall index. Calais scores 69 while Chisholm scores 68 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 Calais is $815/month compared to $734/month in Chisholm — a 11% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Chisholm has cheaper rent, Calais actually has lower median home values ($111,800 vs $131,000).

Median household income in Calais is $48,654 compared to $59,524 in Chisholm (-18.3%). Chisholm offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Calais spend roughly 20.1% of their income on rent, more than the 14.8% in Chisholm.

Climate-wise, Chisholm is notably warmer with an average of 46.1°F compared to 40.7°F in Calais. Chisholm receives more rainfall at 41.8" per year compared to 39.3" in Calais.