Orono, ME vs Waterville, ME

Waterville is moderately more affordable than Orono, with a 8.3% lower cost of living index. Orono scores 85 compared to 79 for Waterville, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Orono can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Orono is $1,150/month compared to $957/month in Waterville — a 20% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Waterville is more affordable at $173,700 median vs $219,200.

Median household income in Orono is $56,890 compared to $47,489 in Waterville (+19.8%). 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 24.2% in Waterville.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (43.2°F vs 46.1°F). Orono receives more rainfall at 44.4" per year compared to 41.8" in Waterville.