Cost of Living in Ellsworth, ME

Population 8,550 · Maine · Data vintage 2023

71
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Ellsworth offers a notably favorable income-to-housing ratio for its region. The typical home — $215,000 — costs less than 3 times median household income of $70,990, a threshold many coastal markets passed a decade ago. An unemployment rate of 1.8% points to a labor market well on the tight side of the national distribution.

Ellsworth lies roughly 185 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 36% lower than Manchester's $336,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 70
Rent 73

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

About the Cost of Living in Ellsworth

The median home value in Ellsworth is $214,500 — 30% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $955/month, 27% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $70,990/year is 5% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 1.8%, below 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, Ellsworth has a cost of living index of 71 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 29% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$214,500
30% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$349,291
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$955/mo
27% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.7x
Favors buying
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 68.6%
Renter-occupied 31.4%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$955
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,569/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
24.9 min
8% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
5.0%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
73.1%
Carpooled
12.6%
Public transit
1.1%
Walked
6.4%
Work from home
5.0%

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
$70,990
5% below avg
Per Capita Income
$34,073
Unemployment Rate
1.8%
62% below avg
Poverty Rate
8.5%
Labor Force Participation
63.8%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 30.3%
Graduate degree 10.8%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 40.9
Male median age 40.4
Female median age 42.3

💨 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

69.6%
4-Year Graduation Rate
12.2:1
Student-teacher ratio
5
Public schools
1,705
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Ellsworth, ME?

Ellsworth has a cost index of 71 (100 = national average). It is 29% below the national average.

What is average rent in Ellsworth, ME?

The median gross rent in Ellsworth is $955 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Ellsworth?

The median home value in Ellsworth is $214,500 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Ellsworth?

The median household income in Ellsworth is $70,990 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Ellsworth, ME?

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

Is Ellsworth, ME affordable?

Yes, Ellsworth is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 71 — about 29% below the US national average of 100.

Ellsworth at a Glance

Population
8,550
Median Income
$70,990
Home Value
$214,500
Median Rent
$955/mo
Unemployment
1.8%
Sales Tax
5.5%
View all cities in Maine →
🗺️ County data for Maine

Explore county-level cost of living data

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