Cost of Living in Bucksport, ME

Population 4,982 · Maine · Data vintage 2023

72
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Bucksport is a smaller Maine community of around 5000 residents, where median household incomes of $63,548 and housing costs ($238,000 for a typical home) give the local cost-of-living profile a distinctly small-town shape.

Bucksport lies roughly 175 miles northeast of the nearest major metro, Manchester — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 29% lower than Manchester's $336,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 78
Rent 62

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

About the Cost of Living in Bucksport

The median home value in Bucksport is $237,900 — 22% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $821/month, 38% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $63,548/year is 15% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 4.8%, 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 34.8°F, with about 74.6" of annual snowfall. Overall, Bucksport has a cost of living index of 72 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 28% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$237,900
22% below avg
Median Rent
$821/mo
38% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
24.1x
Favors renting
Property Tax Rate
1.4%
Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$1,011
1 BR
$1,017
2 BR
$1,202
3 BR
$1,588
4 BR
$1,594
Owner-occupied 71.7%
Renter-occupied 28.3%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$821
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,435/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
27.3 min
1% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
5.9%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
61.9%
Carpooled
31.4%
Walked
0.8%
Work from home
5.9%

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
$63,548
15% below avg
Per Capita Income
$32,763
Unemployment Rate
4.8%
1% above avg
Poverty Rate
9.9%
Labor Force Participation
47.5%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 16.8%
Graduate degree 4.9%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 40.4
Male median age 37.7
Female median age 40.8

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
55.2°F
Avg Low
34.8°F
Annual Precip
41.7"
Annual Snowfall
74.6"
23° 45° 68° 90° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 283140536675807971584635
Low °F 91121324353595749382917
Precip" 3.172.383.223.613.343.873.163.063.764.583.843.72
Snow" 18.617.515.23.70.00.00.00.00.00.64.314.7

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 38 — Good
86%
Good air days/yr
93
Max AQI recorded
44
PM2.5 days
321
Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

92%
4-Year Graduation Rate
12.5:1
Student-teacher ratio
4
Public schools
1,112
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Bucksport, ME?

Bucksport has a cost index of 72 (100 = national average). It is 28% below the national average.

What is average rent in Bucksport, ME?

The median gross rent in Bucksport is $821 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Bucksport?

The median home value in Bucksport is $237,900 according to 2023 Census ACS data.

What is the median income in Bucksport?

The median household income in Bucksport is $63,548 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Bucksport, ME?

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

Is Bucksport, ME affordable?

Yes, Bucksport is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 72 — about 28% below the US national average of 100.

What is the weather like in Bucksport?

Bucksport has average high temperatures of 55.2°F and average lows of 34.8°F. Annual precipitation is 41.7". Average annual snowfall is 74.6". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Bucksport at a Glance

Population
4,982
Median Income
$63,548
Home Value
$237,900
Median Rent
$821/mo
Unemployment
4.8%
Avg High Temp
55.2°F
Sales Tax
5.5%
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