Fort Fairfield, ME vs Mapleton, ME

Fort Fairfield, ME and Mapleton, ME have a very similar cost of living, with only a 4.6% difference in their overall index. Fort Fairfield scores 61 while Mapleton scores 59 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 Fort Fairfield is $460/month compared to $353/month in Mapleton — a 30% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Mapleton has cheaper rent, Fort Fairfield actually has lower median home values ($145,800 vs $152,500).

Median household income in Fort Fairfield is $46,654 compared to $67,900 in Mapleton (-31.3%). Mapleton offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Fort Fairfield spend roughly 11.8% of their income on rent, more than the 6.2% in Mapleton.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (40.7°F vs 40.7°F). Mapleton receives more rainfall at 40.7" per year compared to 40.7" in Fort Fairfield.