Cost of Living in Gray, ME

Population 8,331 · Maine · Data vintage 2023

107
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Gray 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. The labor market has been unusually tight, with unemployment around 1.7% — below most comparable cities in the state.

Located 85 miles northeast of Manchester, Gray is far enough out that local conditions diverge meaningfully from the big-metro baseline. Housing prices track closely with Manchester's $336,000 median.

Cost Overview

Housing 111
Rent 100

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

About the Cost of Living in Gray

The median home value in Gray is $338,300 — 11% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,316/month, equal to than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $94,554/year is 27% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 1.7%, 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%. The climate averages highs of 55.2°F and lows of 36.2°F, with about 66.8" of annual snowfall. Overall, Gray has a cost of living index of 107 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 7% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$338,300
11% above avg
Median Rent
$1,316/mo
0% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
21.4x
Favors renting
Property Tax Rate
1.4%
Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$1,379
1 BR
$1,563
2 BR
$2,011
3 BR
$2,464
4 BR
$2,763
Owner-occupied 83.7%
Renter-occupied 16.3%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,316
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,930/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
27.5 min
2% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
11.6%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
77.3%
Carpooled
11.0%
Public transit
0.1%
Work from home
11.6%

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
$94,554
27% above avg
Per Capita Income
$53,857
Unemployment Rate
1.7%
64% below avg
Poverty Rate
3.6%
Labor Force Participation
62.2%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 33.8%
Graduate degree 13.3%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 43.9
Male median age 42.6
Female median age 44.6

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
55.2°F
Avg Low
36.2°F
Annual Precip
50"
Annual Snowfall
66.8"
10° 28° 45° 63° 80° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 303341536473797870584737
Low °F 121424324453595850393020
Precip" 3.463.504.064.284.064.213.483.274.206.005.194.30
Snow" 19.313.618.73.30.00.00.00.00.00.21.99.8

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 40 — Good
72.9%
Good air days/yr
120
Max AQI recorded
175
PM2.5 days
179
Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

92%
4-Year Graduation Rate
12.4:1
Student-teacher ratio
5
Public schools
1,903
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Gray, ME?

Gray has a cost index of 107 (100 = national average). It is 7% above the national average.

What is average rent in Gray, ME?

The median gross rent in Gray is $1,316 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Gray?

The median home value in Gray is $338,300 according to 2023 Census ACS data.

What is the median income in Gray?

The median household income in Gray is $94,554 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Gray, ME?

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

Is Gray, ME affordable?

Gray is near the national average in terms of cost of living, with an index of 107 (100 = US average).

What is the weather like in Gray?

Gray has average high temperatures of 55.2°F and average lows of 36.2°F. Annual precipitation is 50". Average annual snowfall is 66.8". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Gray at a Glance

Population
8,331
Median Income
$94,554
Home Value
$338,300
Median Rent
$1,316/mo
Unemployment
1.7%
Avg High Temp
55.2°F
Sales Tax
5.5%
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Explore county-level cost of living data

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