Houlton, ME vs Mexico, ME

Houlton, ME and Mexico, ME have a very similar cost of living, with only a 2.2% difference in their overall index. Houlton scores 67 while Mexico scores 69 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 Houlton is $719/month compared to $829/month in Mexico — a 13% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Houlton has cheaper rent, Mexico actually has lower median home values ($99,600 vs $121,700).

Median household income in Houlton is $52,227 compared to $46,625 in Mexico (+12%). Houlton offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Houlton spend roughly 16.5% of their income on rent, less than the 21.3% in Mexico.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (40.7°F vs 41.4°F). Houlton receives more rainfall at 39.3" per year compared to 36.5" in Mexico.