Caribou, ME vs South Paris, ME

Caribou, ME and South Paris, ME have a very similar cost of living, with only a 3% difference in their overall index. Caribou scores 66 while South Paris 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 Caribou is $696/month compared to $585/month in South Paris — a 19% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while South Paris has cheaper rent, Caribou actually has lower median home values ($120,300 vs $186,300).

Median household income in Caribou is $54,271 compared to $56,823 in South Paris (-4.5%). While South Paris is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Caribou spend roughly 15.4% of their income on rent, more than the 12.4% in South Paris.

Climate-wise, South Paris is notably warmer with an average of 44.7°F compared to 40.7°F in Caribou. South Paris receives more rainfall at 46.9" per year compared to 40.7" in Caribou.