Cost of Living in Kennebunk, ME

Population 11,692 · Maine · Data vintage 2023

133
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

With a median age of 55, Kennebunk functions largely as a retirement market. Housing costs — $461,000 for a typical home — anchor most household budgets, and the state's treatment of pension income tends to matter more than wage-driven tax comparisons.

Kennebunk is about 55 miles northeast of Manchester, the nearest large metro — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 37% higher than Manchester's $336,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 151
Rent 107

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

About the Cost of Living in Kennebunk

The median home value in Kennebunk is $460,600 — 51% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,405/month, 7% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $101,204/year is 36% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 5.8%, 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 57.8°F and lows of 37.6°F. Overall, Kennebunk has a cost of living index of 133 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 33% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$460,600
51% above avg
Median Rent
$1,405/mo
7% above avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
27.3x
Favors renting
Property Tax Rate
1.4%
Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$1,352
1 BR
$1,528
2 BR
$1,971
3 BR
$2,552
4 BR
$3,310
Owner-occupied 77.3%
Renter-occupied 22.7%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,405
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $2,019/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
30.4%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
62.3%
Carpooled
3.2%
Public transit
0.5%
Walked
1.8%
Bicycle
0.2%
Work from home
30.4%

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
$101,204
36% above avg
Per Capita Income
$52,570
Unemployment Rate
5.8%
20% above avg
Poverty Rate
7.6%
Labor Force Participation
49.2%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 26.3%
Graduate degree 23.2%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 55.1
Male median age 49.3
Female median age 58.6

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
57.8°F
Avg Low
37.6°F
Annual Precip
41.2"
10° 30° 50° 70° 90° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 333544576777828173604837
Low °F 151725354554605850393122
Precip" 2.532.223.723.673.523.863.523.173.434.393.893.30

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 35 — Good
92.7%
Good air days/yr
84
Max AQI recorded
0
PM2.5 days
328
Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

97%
4-Year Graduation Rate
13.4:1
Student-teacher ratio
6
Public schools
2,623
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Kennebunk, ME?

Kennebunk has a cost index of 133 (100 = national average). It is 33% above the national average.

What is average rent in Kennebunk, ME?

The median gross rent in Kennebunk is $1,405 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Kennebunk?

The median home value in Kennebunk is $460,600 according to 2023 Census ACS data.

What is the median income in Kennebunk?

The median household income in Kennebunk is $101,204 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Kennebunk, ME?

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

Is Kennebunk, ME affordable?

Kennebunk is above average in cost of living, with an index of 133 — about 33% higher than the national average.

What is the weather like in Kennebunk?

Kennebunk has average high temperatures of 57.8°F and average lows of 37.6°F. Annual precipitation is 41.2". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Kennebunk at a Glance

Population
11,692
Median Income
$101,204
Home Value
$460,600
Median Rent
$1,405/mo
Unemployment
5.8%
Avg High Temp
57.8°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