Cost of Living in Old Orchard Beach, ME

Population 9,150 · Maine · Data vintage 2023

97
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 57, Old Orchard Beach functions largely as a retirement market. Housing costs — $318,000 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. Unemployment has stayed elevated relative to the national figure — 6.2% as of the most recent ACS release — which shows up in household-income and poverty figures as well.

Located 65 miles northeast of Manchester, Old Orchard Beach 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 104
Rent 85

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

About the Cost of Living in Old Orchard Beach

The median home value in Old Orchard Beach is $317,800 — 4% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,120/month, 15% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $65,842/year is 12% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 6.2%, 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, Old Orchard Beach has a cost of living index of 97 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 3% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$317,800
4% above avg
Zillow Home Value
$347,552
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,120/mo
15% below avg
Zillow Rent
$2,065/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
23.6x
Favors renting
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 68.0%
Renter-occupied 32.0%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,120
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,734/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
25.4 min
6% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
11.2%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
75.2%
Carpooled
10.6%
Public transit
0.7%
Walked
1.9%
Bicycle
0.2%
Work from home
11.2%

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
$65,842
12% below avg
Per Capita Income
$45,456
Unemployment Rate
6.2%
30% above avg
Poverty Rate
14.1%
Labor Force Participation
63.1%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 26.1%
Graduate degree 16.2%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 56.8
Male median age 50.9
Female median age 58.3

💨 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

84%
4-Year Graduation Rate
8.3:1
Student-teacher ratio
3
Public schools
667
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Old Orchard Beach, ME?

Old Orchard Beach has a cost index of 97 (100 = national average). It is 3% below the national average.

What is average rent in Old Orchard Beach, ME?

The median gross rent in Old Orchard Beach is $1,120 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Old Orchard Beach?

The median home value in Old Orchard Beach is $317,800 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Old Orchard Beach?

The median household income in Old Orchard Beach is $65,842 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Old Orchard Beach, ME?

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

Is Old Orchard Beach, ME affordable?

Old Orchard Beach is near the national average in terms of cost of living, with an index of 97 (100 = US average).

Old Orchard Beach at a Glance

Population
9,150
Median Income
$65,842
Home Value
$317,800
Median Rent
$1,120/mo
Unemployment
6.2%
Sales Tax
5.5%
View all cities in Maine →
🗺️ County data for Maine

Explore county-level cost of living data

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