Caribou, ME vs Saco, ME

The cost of living difference between Caribou, ME and Saco, ME is dramatic. Caribou is 37% cheaper than Saco, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Caribou has a cost index of 66 while Saco sits at 105, 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 $1,268/month in Saco — a 45% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Caribou is more affordable at $120,300 median vs $370,300.

Median household income in Caribou is $54,271 compared to $84,328 in Saco (-35.6%). The higher salaries in Saco 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% in Saco.

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