Cost of Living in Waterboro, ME

Population 8,022 · Maine · Data vintage 2023

92
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Waterboro 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. An unemployment rate of 2.7% points to a labor market well on the tight side of the national distribution.

Located 55 miles northeast of Manchester, Waterboro is far enough out that local conditions diverge meaningfully from the big-metro baseline. Median home values run roughly 24% lower than Manchester's $336,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 84
Rent 104

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

About the Cost of Living in Waterboro

The median home value in Waterboro is $256,900 — 16% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,365/month, 4% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $83,868/year is 12% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 2.7%, 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 57.8°F and lows of 37.6°F. Overall, Waterboro has a cost of living index of 92 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 8% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$256,900
16% below avg
Median Rent
$1,365/mo
4% above avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
15.7x
Favors buying
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 89.9%
Renter-occupied 10.1%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,365
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,979/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
34.3 min
27% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
10.0%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
80.1%
Carpooled
8.3%
Walked
0.4%
Work from home
10.0%

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
$83,868
12% above avg
Per Capita Income
$35,085
Unemployment Rate
2.7%
44% below avg
Poverty Rate
10.1%
Labor Force Participation
54.2%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 17.9%
Graduate degree 5.9%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 37.8
Male median age 37.3
Female median age 38.7

🌤 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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Waterboro, ME?

Waterboro has a cost index of 92 (100 = national average). It is 8% below the national average.

What is average rent in Waterboro, ME?

The median gross rent in Waterboro is $1,365 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Waterboro?

The median home value in Waterboro is $256,900 according to 2023 Census ACS data.

What is the median income in Waterboro?

The median household income in Waterboro is $83,868 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Waterboro, ME?

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

Is Waterboro, ME affordable?

Waterboro is near the national average in terms of cost of living, with an index of 92 (100 = US average).

What is the weather like in Waterboro?

Waterboro 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.

Waterboro at a Glance

Population
8,022
Median Income
$83,868
Home Value
$256,900
Median Rent
$1,365/mo
Unemployment
2.7%
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

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