Randolph, ME vs Southwest Harbor, ME

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Randolph is 25.3% cheaper than Southwest Harbor. With a cost index of 72 vs 96, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Randolph to Southwest Harbor should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Randolph is $779/month compared to $903/month in Southwest Harbor — a 14% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Randolph is more affordable at $157,000 median vs $407,700.

Median household income in Randolph is $52,917 compared to $31,518 in Southwest Harbor (+67.9%). Randolph offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Randolph spend roughly 17.7% of their income on rent, less than the 34.4% in Southwest Harbor. The Randolph ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (46.1°F vs 45°F). Randolph receives more rainfall at 41.8" per year compared to 41.7" in Southwest Harbor.