Freeport, ME vs Southwest Harbor, ME

Southwest Harbor is moderately more affordable than Freeport, with a 12.3% lower cost of living index. Freeport scores 108 compared to 96 for Southwest Harbor, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Freeport can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Freeport is $1,426/month compared to $903/month in Southwest Harbor — a 58% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Southwest Harbor has cheaper rent, Freeport actually has lower median home values ($344,100 vs $407,700).

Median household income in Freeport is $48,352 compared to $31,518 in Southwest Harbor (+53.4%). While Freeport is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Freeport spend roughly 35.4% of their income on rent, more than the 34.4% in Southwest Harbor. The Southwest Harbor ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (45.7°F vs 45°F). Freeport receives more rainfall at 50" per year compared to 41.7" in Southwest Harbor.