Ellsworth, ME vs Waterville, ME

Ellsworth, ME and Waterville, ME have a very similar cost of living, with only a 4.2% difference in their overall index. Ellsworth scores 82 while Waterville scores 79 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 $957/month in Waterville — a 0% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Ellsworth has cheaper rent, Waterville actually has lower median home values ($173,700 vs $214,500).

Median household income in Ellsworth is $70,990 compared to $47,489 in Waterville (+49.5%). 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 24.2% in Waterville.

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