Caribou, ME vs Old Orchard Beach, ME

The cost of living difference between Caribou, ME and Old Orchard Beach, ME is dramatic. Caribou is 31.3% cheaper than Old Orchard Beach, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Caribou has a cost index of 66 while Old Orchard Beach sits at 97, 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 $1,120/month in Old Orchard Beach — a 38% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Caribou is more affordable at $120,300 median vs $317,800.

Median household income in Caribou is $54,271 compared to $65,842 in Old Orchard Beach (-17.6%). The higher salaries in Old Orchard Beach 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 20.4% in Old Orchard Beach.

Climate-wise, Old Orchard Beach is notably warmer with an average of 47.5°F compared to 40.7°F in Caribou. Old Orchard Beach receives more rainfall at 48.1" per year compared to 40.7" in Caribou.