Cost of Living in Fort Fairfield, ME

Population 3,321 · Maine · Data vintage 2023

62
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Housing costs in Fort Fairfield stay well under national norms: a median home value of $145,000 against median household incomes of $68,112 gives the city one of the more comfortable price-to-income ratios in Maine. Unemployment has stayed elevated relative to the national figure — 7.7% as of the most recent ACS release — which shows up in household-income and poverty figures as well.

Cost Overview

Housing 48
Rent 84

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

About the Cost of Living in Fort Fairfield

The median home value in Fort Fairfield is $145,400 — 52% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,098/month, 16% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $68,112/year is 9% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 7.7%, 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 50.2°F and lows of 31.2°F, with about 118.2" of annual snowfall. Overall, Fort Fairfield has a cost of living index of 62 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 38% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$145,400
52% below avg
Median Rent
$1,098/mo
16% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
11.0x
Favors buying
Property Tax Rate
1.4%
Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$730
1 BR
$786
2 BR
$986
3 BR
$1,351
4 BR
$1,407
Owner-occupied 77.3%
Renter-occupied 22.7%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,098
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,712/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
17.7 min
34% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
8.6%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
75.0%
Carpooled
11.3%
Work from home
8.6%

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
$68,112
9% below avg
Per Capita Income
$38,635
Unemployment Rate
7.7%
59% above avg
Poverty Rate
9.0%
Labor Force Participation
49.4%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 23.4%
Graduate degree 5.6%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 51.2
Male median age 52.4
Female median age 47.3

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
50.2°F
Avg Low
31.2°F
Annual Precip
40.7"
Annual Snowfall
118.2"
20° 40° 60° 80° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 212434486372777667534028
Low °F 3416294151565446362612
Precip" 2.952.422.772.993.463.894.233.613.443.993.353.60
Snow" 25.025.321.48.30.80.00.00.00.11.710.425.2

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 37 — Good
75.9%
Good air days/yr
142
Max AQI recorded
222
PM2.5 days
128
Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

54%
4-Year Graduation Rate
11.9:1
Student-teacher ratio
2
Public schools
513
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Fort Fairfield, ME?

Fort Fairfield has a cost index of 62 (100 = national average). It is 38% below the national average.

What is average rent in Fort Fairfield, ME?

The median gross rent in Fort Fairfield is $1,098 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Fort Fairfield?

The median home value in Fort Fairfield is $145,400 according to 2023 Census ACS data.

What is the median income in Fort Fairfield?

The median household income in Fort Fairfield is $68,112 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Fort Fairfield, ME?

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

Is Fort Fairfield, ME affordable?

Yes, Fort Fairfield is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 62 — about 38% below the US national average of 100.

What is the weather like in Fort Fairfield?

Fort Fairfield has average high temperatures of 50.2°F and average lows of 31.2°F. Annual precipitation is 40.7". Average annual snowfall is 118.2". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Fort Fairfield at a Glance

Population
3,321
Median Income
$68,112
Home Value
$145,400
Median Rent
$1,098/mo
Unemployment
7.7%
Avg High Temp
50.2°F
Sales Tax
5.5%
View all cities in Maine →
🗺️ County data for Maine

Explore county-level cost of living data

Similar Cost Cities

Cities in other states with comparable housing costs