Houlton, ME vs Old Orchard Beach, ME

The cost of living difference between Houlton, ME and Old Orchard Beach, ME is dramatic. Houlton is 30.4% cheaper than Old Orchard Beach, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Houlton has a cost index of 67 while Old Orchard Beach sits at 97, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Houlton is $719/month compared to $1,120/month in Old Orchard Beach — a 36% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Houlton is more affordable at $121,700 median vs $317,800.

Median household income in Houlton is $52,227 compared to $65,842 in Old Orchard Beach (-20.7%). The higher salaries in Old Orchard Beach partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Houlton spend roughly 16.5% of their income on rent, less than the 20.4% in Old Orchard Beach.

Climate-wise, Old Orchard Beach is notably warmer with an average of 47.5°F compared to 40.7°F in Houlton. Old Orchard Beach receives more rainfall at 48.1" per year compared to 39.3" in Houlton.