Cost of Living in Rumford, ME

Population 4,017 · Maine · Data vintage 2023

42
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Rumford's median household income of $32,240 is a meaningful share below the national figure, which shapes most of the downstream economic indicators — from housing affordability to the share of residents living below the poverty line (27% here). At 6.6%, the local unemployment rate runs well above the US figure, pointing to structural rather than cyclical labor-market issues.

Rumford lies roughly 115 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 66% lower than Manchester's $336,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 38
Rent 47

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

About the Cost of Living in Rumford

The median home value in Rumford is $115,300 — 62% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $622/month, 53% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $32,240/year is 57% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 6.6%, 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, Rumford has a cost of living index of 42 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 58% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$115,300
62% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$379,091
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$622/mo
53% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
15.4x
Favors buying
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 57.2%
Renter-occupied 42.8%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$622
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,236/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
27.7 min
3% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
0.9%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
84.0%
Carpooled
6.8%
Walked
8.3%
Work from home
0.9%

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
$32,240
57% below avg
Per Capita Income
$26,000
Unemployment Rate
6.6%
38% above avg
Poverty Rate
27.1%
Labor Force Participation
44.5%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 11.1%
Graduate degree 4.9%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 54.4
Male median age 51.8
Female median age 58

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 38 — Good
80.9%
Good air days/yr
83
Max AQI recorded
206
PM2.5 days
150
Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

82%
4-Year Graduation Rate
11.5:1
Student-teacher ratio
6
Public schools
1,801
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Rumford, ME?

Rumford has a cost index of 42 (100 = national average). It is 58% below the national average.

What is average rent in Rumford, ME?

The median gross rent in Rumford is $622 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Rumford?

The median home value in Rumford is $115,300 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Rumford?

The median household income in Rumford is $32,240 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Rumford, ME?

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

Is Rumford, ME affordable?

Yes, Rumford is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 42 — about 58% below the US national average of 100.

Rumford at a Glance

Population
4,017
Median Income
$32,240
Home Value
$115,300
Median Rent
$622/mo
Unemployment
6.6%
Sales Tax
5.5%
View all cities in Maine →
🗺️ County data for Maine

Explore county-level cost of living data

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