Caribou, ME vs Oakland, ME

Caribou is moderately more affordable than Oakland, with a 11.9% lower cost of living index. Caribou scores 66 compared to 75 for Oakland, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Oakland can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Caribou is $696/month compared to $932/month in Oakland — a 25% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Caribou is more affordable at $120,300 median vs $142,800.

Median household income in Caribou is $54,271 compared to $44,846 in Oakland (+21%). Caribou offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Caribou spend roughly 15.4% of their income on rent, less than the 24.9% in Oakland.

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