Hampden, ME vs Orono, ME

Hampden, ME and Orono, ME have a very similar cost of living, with only a 1% difference in their overall index. Hampden scores 84 while Orono scores 85 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 Hampden is $985/month compared to $1,150/month in Orono — a 14% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Hampden has cheaper rent, Orono actually has lower median home values ($219,200 vs $270,100).

Median household income in Hampden is $101,417 compared to $56,890 in Orono (+78.3%). Hampden offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Hampden spend roughly 11.7% of their income on rent, less than the 24.3% in Orono.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (45°F vs 43.2°F). Orono receives more rainfall at 44.4" per year compared to 41.7" in Hampden.