Cost of Living in Wiscasset, ME

Population 3,812 · Maine · Data vintage 2023

95
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Wiscasset is a smaller Maine community of around 4000 residents, where median household incomes of $85,054 and housing costs ($298,000 for a typical home) give the local cost-of-living profile a distinctly small-town shape.

Wiscasset 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 11% lower than Manchester's $336,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 98
Rent 91

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

About the Cost of Living in Wiscasset

The median home value in Wiscasset is $297,800 — 2% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,193/month, 9% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $85,054/year is 14% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 3.9%, 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 55.2°F and lows of 36.2°F, with about 66.8" of annual snowfall. Overall, Wiscasset has a cost of living index of 95 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 5% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$297,800
2% below avg
Median Rent
$1,193/mo
9% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
20.8x
Favors renting
Property Tax Rate
1.4%
Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$1,082
1 BR
$1,103
2 BR
$1,244
3 BR
$1,643
4 BR
$1,649
Owner-occupied 80.6%
Renter-occupied 19.4%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,193
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,807/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
22.4 min
17% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
9.3%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
78.6%
Carpooled
12.2%
Work from home
9.3%

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
$85,054
14% above avg
Per Capita Income
$37,672
Unemployment Rate
3.9%
19% below avg
Poverty Rate
5.7%
Labor Force Participation
52.8%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 18.9%
Graduate degree 13.1%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 46.4
Male median age 43.5
Female median age 48.1

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
55.2°F
Avg Low
36.2°F
Annual Precip
50"
Annual Snowfall
66.8"
10° 28° 45° 63° 80° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 303341536473797870584737
Low °F 121424324453595850393020
Precip" 3.463.504.064.284.064.213.483.274.206.005.194.30
Snow" 19.313.618.73.30.00.00.00.00.00.21.99.8

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

74%
4-Year Graduation Rate
10.3:1
Student-teacher ratio
2
Public schools
516
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Wiscasset, ME?

Wiscasset has a cost index of 95 (100 = national average). It is 5% below the national average.

What is average rent in Wiscasset, ME?

The median gross rent in Wiscasset is $1,193 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Wiscasset?

The median home value in Wiscasset is $297,800 according to 2023 Census ACS data.

What is the median income in Wiscasset?

The median household income in Wiscasset is $85,054 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Wiscasset, ME?

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

Is Wiscasset, ME affordable?

Wiscasset is near the national average in terms of cost of living, with an index of 95 (100 = US average).

What is the weather like in Wiscasset?

Wiscasset has average high temperatures of 55.2°F and average lows of 36.2°F. Annual precipitation is 50". Average annual snowfall is 66.8". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Wiscasset at a Glance

Population
3,812
Median Income
$85,054
Home Value
$297,800
Median Rent
$1,193/mo
Unemployment
3.9%
Avg High Temp
55.2°F
Sales Tax
5.5%
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Explore county-level cost of living data

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