Kennebunk, ME vs Waterville, ME

The cost of living difference between Kennebunk, ME and Waterville, ME is dramatic. Waterville is 45.7% cheaper than Kennebunk, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Kennebunk has a cost index of 115 while Waterville sits at 79, 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 Kennebunk is $1,411/month compared to $957/month in Waterville — a 47% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Waterville is more affordable at $173,700 median vs $429,600.

Median household income in Kennebunk is $93,167 compared to $47,489 in Waterville (+96.2%). While Kennebunk is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Kennebunk spend roughly 18.2% of their income on rent, less than the 24.2% in Waterville.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (47.7°F vs 46.1°F). Waterville receives more rainfall at 41.8" per year compared to 41.2" in Kennebunk.