South Eliot, ME vs West Kennebunk, ME

West Kennebunk is moderately more affordable than South Eliot, with a 11.3% lower cost of living index. South Eliot scores 136 compared to 122 for West Kennebunk, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of South Eliot can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in South Eliot is $2,088/month compared to $1,426/month in West Kennebunk — a 46% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while West Kennebunk has cheaper rent, South Eliot actually has lower median home values ($437,800 vs $514,700).

Median household income in South Eliot is $96,705 compared to $101,761 in West Kennebunk (-5%). West Kennebunk offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of South Eliot spend roughly 25.9% of their income on rent, more than the 16.8% in West Kennebunk.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (47.1°F vs 47.7°F). South Eliot receives more rainfall at 47.8" per year compared to 41.2" in West Kennebunk.