Cost of Living in Camden, ME

Population 3,665 · Maine · Data vintage 2023

126
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 Camden a small-town character that shows up in every data point below — from the commute patterns to the rental inventory. A typical home runs $474,000. At 6.2%, the local unemployment rate runs well above the US figure, pointing to structural rather than cyclical labor-market issues.

Located 145 miles northeast of Manchester, Camden is far enough out that local conditions diverge meaningfully from the big-metro baseline. Median home values run roughly 41% higher than Manchester's $336,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 155
Rent 81

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

About the Cost of Living in Camden

The median home value in Camden is $473,800 — 55% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,064/month, 19% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $80,897/year is 8% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 6.2%, 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, Camden has a cost of living index of 126 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 26% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$473,800
55% above avg
Zillow Home Value
$176,013
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,064/mo
19% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
37.1x
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 62.9%
Renter-occupied 37.1%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,064
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,678/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
17.6%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
54.8%
Carpooled
14.2%
Walked
12.6%
Bicycle
0.8%
Work from home
17.6%

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
$80,897
8% above avg
Per Capita Income
$48,763
Unemployment Rate
6.2%
28% above avg
Poverty Rate
9.0%
Labor Force Participation
48.4%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 42.3%
Graduate degree 24.2%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 53.3
Male median age 48.3
Female median age 62.3

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 33 — Good
98.3%
Good air days/yr
87
Max AQI recorded
0
PM2.5 days
301
Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

97%
4-Year Graduation Rate
11.8:1
Student-teacher ratio
3
Public schools
1,445
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Camden, ME?

Camden has a cost index of 126 (100 = national average). It is 26% above the national average.

What is average rent in Camden, ME?

The median gross rent in Camden is $1,064 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Camden?

The median home value in Camden is $473,800 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Camden?

The median household income in Camden is $80,897 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Camden, ME?

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

Is Camden, ME affordable?

Camden is above average in cost of living, with an index of 126 — about 26% higher than the national average.

Camden at a Glance

Population
3,665
Median Income
$80,897
Home Value
$473,800
Median Rent
$1,064/mo
Unemployment
6.2%
Sales Tax
5.5%
View all cities in Maine →
🗺️ County data for Maine

Explore county-level cost of living data

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