Lewiston, ME vs Sanford, ME

Lewiston is moderately more affordable than Sanford, with a 11.8% lower cost of living index. Lewiston scores 82 compared to 93 for Sanford, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Sanford can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Lewiston is $954/month compared to $1,158/month in Sanford — a 18% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Lewiston is more affordable at $214,200 median vs $257,200.

Median household income in Lewiston is $56,558 compared to $70,570 in Sanford (-19.9%). While Sanford is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Lewiston spend roughly 20.2% of their income on rent, more than the 19.7% in Sanford.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (45.7°F vs 47.7°F). Lewiston receives more rainfall at 50" per year compared to 41.2" in Sanford.