Fryeburg, ME vs Southwest Harbor, ME

Fryeburg is moderately more affordable than Southwest Harbor, with a 13% lower cost of living index. Fryeburg scores 84 compared to 96 for Southwest Harbor, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Southwest Harbor can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Fryeburg is $869/month compared to $903/month in Southwest Harbor — a 4% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Fryeburg is more affordable at $268,100 median vs $407,700.

Median household income in Fryeburg is $61,944 compared to $31,518 in Southwest Harbor (+96.5%). Fryeburg offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Fryeburg spend roughly 16.8% of their income on rent, less than the 34.4% in Southwest Harbor. The Fryeburg ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (44.7°F vs 45°F). Fryeburg receives more rainfall at 46.9" per year compared to 41.7" in Southwest Harbor.