Orono, ME vs Rumford, ME

The cost of living difference between Orono, ME and Rumford, ME is dramatic. Rumford is 33.7% cheaper than Orono, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Orono has a cost index of 85 while Rumford sits at 64, 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 Orono is $1,150/month compared to $622/month in Rumford — a 85% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Rumford is more affordable at $115,300 median vs $219,200.

Median household income in Orono is $56,890 compared to $32,240 in Rumford (+76.5%). While Orono is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Orono spend roughly 24.3% of their income on rent, more than the 23.2% in Rumford.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (43.2°F vs 41.4°F). Orono receives more rainfall at 44.4" per year compared to 36.5" in Rumford.