Ellsworth, ME vs Orono, ME

Ellsworth, ME and Orono, ME have a very similar cost of living, with only a 3.8% difference in their overall index. Ellsworth scores 82 while Orono scores 85 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 $1,150/month in Orono — a 17% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Ellsworth is more affordable at $214,500 median vs $219,200.

Median household income in Ellsworth is $70,990 compared to $56,890 in Orono (+24.8%). Ellsworth offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Ellsworth spend roughly 16.1% of their income on rent, less than the 24.3% in Orono.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (45°F vs 43.2°F). Orono receives more rainfall at 44.4" per year compared to 41.7" in Ellsworth.