Ellsworth, ME vs Gardiner, ME

Ellsworth, ME and Gardiner, ME have a very similar cost of living, with only a 2.8% difference in their overall index. Ellsworth scores 82 while Gardiner scores 80 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 Ellsworth is $955/month compared to $927/month in Gardiner — a 3% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Gardiner is more affordable at $198,100 median vs $214,500.

Median household income in Ellsworth is $70,990 compared to $58,152 in Gardiner (+22.1%). While Ellsworth is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Ellsworth spend roughly 16.1% of their income on rent, less than the 19.1% in Gardiner.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (45°F vs 46.1°F). Gardiner receives more rainfall at 41.8" per year compared to 41.7" in Ellsworth.