Cost of Living in Bath, ME

Population 8,801 · Maine · Data vintage 2023

86
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Under 25,000 residents gives Bath a small-town character that shows up in every data point below — from the commute patterns to the rental inventory. A typical home runs $285,000.

Geographically, Bath lies roughly 105 miles northeast of the nearest major metro, Manchester. Median home values run roughly 15% lower than Manchester's $336,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 94
Rent 74

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

About the Cost of Living in Bath

The median home value in Bath is $285,400 — 6% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $967/month, 26% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $65,565/year is 12% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 5.9%, 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 55.2°F and lows of 36.2°F, with about 66.8" of annual snowfall. Overall, Bath has a cost of living index of 86 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 14% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$285,400
6% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$222,267
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$967/mo
26% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
24.6x
Favors renting
Property Tax Rate
1.4%
Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$839
1 BR
$901
2 BR
$1,155
3 BR
$1,455
4 BR
$1,649
Owner-occupied 64.6%
Renter-occupied 35.4%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$967
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,581/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
22.6 min
16% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
13.4%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
67.0%
Carpooled
9.1%
Walked
9.9%
Bicycle
0.3%
Work from home
13.4%

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
$65,565
12% below avg
Per Capita Income
$44,310
Unemployment Rate
5.9%
23% above avg
Poverty Rate
14.6%
Labor Force Participation
63.5%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 23.9%
Graduate degree 15.7%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 46.4
Male median age 43.7
Female median age 48.1

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
55.2°F
Avg Low
36.2°F
Annual Precip
50"
Annual Snowfall
66.8"
10° 28° 45° 63° 80° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 303341536473797870584737
Low °F 121424324453595850393020
Precip" 3.463.504.064.284.064.213.483.274.206.005.194.30
Snow" 19.313.618.73.30.00.00.00.00.00.21.99.8

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 39 — Good
92.8%
Good air days/yr
100
Max AQI recorded
0
PM2.5 days
208
Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

82%
4-Year Graduation Rate
11.3:1
Student-teacher ratio
7
Public schools
1,849
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Bath, ME?

Bath has a cost index of 86 (100 = national average). It is 14% below the national average.

What is average rent in Bath, ME?

The median gross rent in Bath is $967 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Bath?

The median home value in Bath is $285,400 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Bath?

The median household income in Bath is $65,565 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Bath, ME?

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

Is Bath, ME affordable?

Yes, Bath is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 86 — about 14% below the US national average of 100.

What is the weather like in Bath?

Bath has average high temperatures of 55.2°F and average lows of 36.2°F. Annual precipitation is 50". Average annual snowfall is 66.8". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Bath at a Glance

Population
8,801
Median Income
$65,565
Home Value
$285,400
Median Rent
$967/mo
Unemployment
5.9%
Avg High Temp
55.2°F
Sales Tax
5.5%
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Explore county-level cost of living data

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