Madawaska, ME vs Topsham, ME

The cost of living difference between Madawaska, ME and Topsham, ME is dramatic. Madawaska is 35.1% cheaper than Topsham, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Madawaska has a cost index of 66 while Topsham sits at 101, 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 Madawaska is $576/month compared to $1,211/month in Topsham — a 52% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Madawaska is more affordable at $157,400 median vs $341,800.

Median household income in Madawaska is $42,708 compared to $80,545 in Topsham (-47%). While Topsham is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Madawaska spend roughly 16.2% of their income on rent, less than the 18% in Topsham.

Climate-wise, Topsham is notably warmer with an average of 45.7°F compared to 40.1°F in Madawaska. Topsham receives more rainfall at 50" per year compared to 32.9" in Madawaska.