Caribou, ME vs Waterville, ME

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Caribou is 15.6% cheaper than Waterville. With a cost index of 66 vs 79, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Caribou to Waterville should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Caribou is $696/month compared to $957/month in Waterville — a 27% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Caribou is more affordable at $120,300 median vs $173,700.

Median household income in Caribou is $54,271 compared to $47,489 in Waterville (+14.3%). 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 24.2% in Waterville.

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