Ellsworth, ME vs Sanford, ME

Ellsworth is moderately more affordable than Sanford, with a 11.6% lower cost of living index. Ellsworth scores 82 compared to 93 for Sanford, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Sanford can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Ellsworth is $955/month compared to $1,158/month in Sanford — a 18% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Ellsworth is more affordable at $214,500 median vs $257,200.

Median household income in Ellsworth is $70,990 compared to $70,570 in Sanford (+0.6%). 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 19.7% in Sanford.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (45°F vs 47.7°F). Ellsworth receives more rainfall at 41.7" per year compared to 41.2" in Sanford.