Cost of Living in Alfred, ME

Population 3,128 · Maine · Data vintage 2023

83
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Alfred is a smaller Maine community of around 3000 residents, where median household incomes of $77,174 and housing costs ($304,000 for a typical home) give the local cost-of-living profile a distinctly small-town shape.

Located 50 miles northeast of Manchester, Alfred is far enough out that local conditions diverge meaningfully from the big-metro baseline. Median home values run roughly 10% lower than Manchester's $336,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 100
Rent 59

Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.

About the Cost of Living in Alfred

The median home value in Alfred is $304,000 — equal to the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $776/month, 41% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $77,174/year is 3% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 5.0%, above the national average of 4.8%. Maine's top state income tax rate is 7.2% and the combined sales tax is 5.5%. The climate averages highs of 57.8°F and lows of 37.6°F. Overall, Alfred has a cost of living index of 83 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 17% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$304,000
0% below avg
Median Rent
$776/mo
41% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
32.6x
Favors renting
Property Tax Rate
1.4%
Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$1,352
1 BR
$1,528
2 BR
$1,971
3 BR
$2,552
4 BR
$3,310
Owner-occupied 80.8%
Renter-occupied 19.2%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$776
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,390/mo

Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.

🛒 Food & Groceries

National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.

🥚
Eggs (dozen)
$0.548
🍞
White Bread (lb)
$1.912
🥩
Ground Beef (lb)
$5.61

🚗 Transportation

Avg Commute
26.1 min
3% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
6.0%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
86.9%
Carpooled
4.9%
Walked
2.1%
Work from home
6.0%

Utilities

Electricity
$0.176/kWh
0% below avg

📋 Taxes

State Income Tax 7.2%
Total Sales Tax 5.5%
State rate 5.5%
Avg local rate 0.0%
Property Tax 1.4%

💼 Income & Employment

Median Household Income
$77,174
3% above avg
Per Capita Income
$41,561
Unemployment Rate
5.0%
5% above avg
Poverty Rate
11.5%
Labor Force Participation
57.0%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 11.3%
Graduate degree 11.4%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 51.1
Male median age 51.1
Female median age 51.1

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
57.8°F
Avg Low
37.6°F
Annual Precip
41.2"
10° 30° 50° 70° 90° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 333544576777828173604837
Low °F 151725354554605850393122
Precip" 2.532.223.723.673.523.863.523.173.434.393.893.30

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 35 — Good
92.7%
Good air days/yr
84
Max AQI recorded
0
PM2.5 days
328
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Alfred, ME?

Alfred has a cost index of 83 (100 = national average). It is 17% below the national average.

What is average rent in Alfred, ME?

The median gross rent in Alfred is $776 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Alfred?

The median home value in Alfred is $304,000 according to 2023 Census ACS data.

What is the median income in Alfred?

The median household income in Alfred is $77,174 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Alfred, ME?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in Alfred is 5.5%. The Maine state income tax top rate is 7.2%.

Is Alfred, ME affordable?

Yes, Alfred is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 83 — about 17% below the US national average of 100.

What is the weather like in Alfred?

Alfred has average high temperatures of 57.8°F and average lows of 37.6°F. Annual precipitation is 41.2". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Alfred at a Glance

Population
3,128
Median Income
$77,174
Home Value
$304,000
Median Rent
$776/mo
Unemployment
5.0%
Avg High Temp
57.8°F
Sales Tax
5.5%
View all cities in Maine →
🗺️ County data for Maine

Explore county-level cost of living data

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