Cost of Living in Gardiner, ME
Population 6,047 · Maine · Data vintage 2023
(100 = US avg)
Gardiner is a smaller Maine community of around 6000 residents, where median household incomes of $58,152 and housing costs ($198,000 for a typical home) give the local cost-of-living profile a distinctly small-town shape. Unemployment has stayed elevated relative to the national figure — 9.6% as of the most recent ACS release — which shows up in household-income and poverty figures as well.
Gardiner lies roughly 120 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 41% lower than Manchester's $336,000.
Cost Overview
Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.
About the Cost of Living in Gardiner
The median home value in Gardiner is $198,100 — 35% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $927/month, 29% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $58,152/year is 22% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 9.6%, 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, Gardiner has a cost of living index of 67 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 33% less expensive.
Gardiner 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 Gardiner, ME?
Gardiner has a cost index of 67 (100 = national average). It is 33% below the national average.
What is average rent in Gardiner, ME?
The median gross rent in Gardiner is $927 per month based on 2023 Census data.
What is the average home price in Gardiner?
The median home value in Gardiner is $198,100 according to Zillow and Census data.
What is the median income in Gardiner?
The median household income in Gardiner is $58,152 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).
What is the sales tax in Gardiner, ME?
The combined state and local sales tax rate in Gardiner is 5.5%. The Maine state income tax top rate is 7.2%.
Is Gardiner, ME affordable?
Yes, Gardiner is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 67 — about 33% below the US national average of 100.
Gardiner at a Glance
- Population
- 6,047
- Median Income
- $58,152
- Home Value
- $198,100
- Median Rent
- $927/mo
- Unemployment
- 9.6%
- 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