Saco, ME vs Waterville, ME

The cost of living difference between Saco, ME and Waterville, ME is dramatic. Waterville is 34% cheaper than Saco, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Saco has a cost index of 105 while Waterville sits at 79, 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 Saco is $1,268/month compared to $957/month in Waterville — a 33% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Waterville is more affordable at $173,700 median vs $370,300.

Median household income in Saco is $84,328 compared to $47,489 in Waterville (+77.6%). While Saco is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Saco spend roughly 18% of their income on rent, less than the 24.2% in Waterville.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (47.5°F vs 46.1°F). Saco receives more rainfall at 48.1" per year compared to 41.8" in Waterville.