Cost of Living in Calais, ME
Population 3,087 · Maine · Data vintage 2023
(100 = US avg)
Calais sits on the smaller end of the Maine city distribution. That scale shapes the housing market, the labor pool, and the services available to residents in ways the data below makes visible. A poverty rate near 22% adds context to the income figures — well above the US average, and worth factoring into any comparison with cities on the coasts or in the Rockies.
Cost Overview
Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.
About the Cost of Living in Calais
The median home value in Calais is $111,800 — 63% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $815/month, 38% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $48,654/year is 35% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 7.4%, 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%. Overall, Calais has a cost of living index of 47 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 53% less expensive.
Calais has limited residential data
Detailed housing and income data is limited for this location. Here are the nearest cities with full cost of living data:
🏠 Housing
HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom
💰 Estimated Monthly Budget
Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.
🛒 Food & Groceries
National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.
🚗 Transportation
Commute Mode
⚡ Utilities
📋 Taxes
💼 Income & Employment
🎓 Education
👥 Demographics
💨 Air Quality
EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data
🏫 Schools
NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of living in Calais, ME?
Calais has a cost index of 47 (100 = national average). It is 53% below the national average.
What is average rent in Calais, ME?
The median gross rent in Calais is $815 per month based on 2023 Census data.
What is the average home price in Calais?
The median home value in Calais is $111,800 according to Zillow and Census data.
What is the median income in Calais?
The median household income in Calais is $48,654 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).
What is the sales tax in Calais, ME?
The combined state and local sales tax rate in Calais is 5.5%. The Maine state income tax top rate is 7.2%.
Is Calais, ME affordable?
Yes, Calais is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 47 — about 53% below the US national average of 100.
Calais at a Glance
- Population
- 3,087
- Median Income
- $48,654
- Home Value
- $111,800
- Median Rent
- $815/mo
- Unemployment
- 7.4%
- Sales Tax
- 5.5%
Nearby Cities
Explore county-level cost of living data
Maine Rankings
Similar Cost Cities
Cities in other states with comparable housing costs