Cost of Living in Saco, ME
Population 20,636 · Maine · Data vintage 2023
(100 = US avg)
Saco 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.
Saco is about 65 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 10% higher than Manchester's $336,000.
Cost Overview
Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.
About the Cost of Living in Saco
The median home value in Saco is $370,300 — 21% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,268/month, 4% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $84,328/year is 13% 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%. Overall, Saco has a cost of living index of 111 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 11% more expensive.
🏠 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 Saco, ME?
Saco has a cost index of 111 (100 = national average). It is 11% above the national average.
What is average rent in Saco, ME?
The median gross rent in Saco is $1,268 per month based on 2023 Census data.
What is the average home price in Saco?
The median home value in Saco is $370,300 according to Zillow and Census data.
What is the median income in Saco?
The median household income in Saco is $84,328 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).
What is the sales tax in Saco, ME?
The combined state and local sales tax rate in Saco is 5.5%. The Maine state income tax top rate is 7.2%.
Is Saco, ME affordable?
Saco is above average in cost of living, with an index of 111 — about 11% higher than the national average.
Saco at a Glance
- Population
- 20,636
- Median Income
- $84,328
- Home Value
- $370,300
- Median Rent
- $1,268/mo
- Unemployment
- 1.7%
- 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