Caribou, ME vs Kennebunk, ME

The cost of living difference between Caribou, ME and Kennebunk, ME is dramatic. Caribou is 42.1% cheaper than Kennebunk, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Caribou has a cost index of 66 while Kennebunk sits at 115, 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 Caribou is $696/month compared to $1,411/month in Kennebunk — a 51% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Caribou is more affordable at $120,300 median vs $429,600.

Median household income in Caribou is $54,271 compared to $93,167 in Kennebunk (-41.7%). The higher salaries in Kennebunk partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Caribou spend roughly 15.4% of their income on rent, less than the 18.2% in Kennebunk.

Climate-wise, Kennebunk is notably warmer with an average of 47.7°F compared to 40.7°F in Caribou. Kennebunk receives more rainfall at 41.2" per year compared to 40.7" in Caribou.