D+
14%
Overall NAT. AVG.
9%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
30%
Housing NAT. AVG.
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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living is 90, then it is 10% lower than average. If the cost of living is 110, then it is 10% higher than average. The breakdown for each index is as follows: goods & services (33%), groceries (13%), health care (5%), housing (30%), transportation (9%) and utilities (10%). If the cost of living data was unavailable for this city, estimates based upon nearby cities were used.
Index Biddeford Maine National
Cost of living114102100
Goods & Services109109100
Groceries102102100
Health care103103100
Housing13092100
Transportation109109100
Utilities107107100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Biddeford, ME

Getting a feel for the cost of living in Biddeford is essential for anyone planning to relocate, as it empowers them to make informed financial decisions, secure a comfortable lifestyle and maintain financial stability in their new environment. The cost of living in Biddeford is 114, which is 14% higher than the national average. Relocating individuals may need to adjust their savings and investment strategies based on the cost of living in the new location. It influences decisions about retirement planning, investments and financial goals.

Housing costs make up a big chunk of the cost of living in Biddeford, and they usually eat into a large part of your take-home pay. Unfortunately, in this area, both buying a home and renting one costs 29.7% more than the average city. This includes stuff like home prices, rent, mortgage rates, and insurance.

Is Biddeford Affordable?

Is Biddeford affordable? It's a key consideration when pondering a move, as affordability often shapes your choices. The cost of living index (we discussed it earlier), coupled with housing costs and income levels, serves as the cornerstone for determining a location's affordability. Take Biddeford, for instance, where the median home price falls 41% higher than the national average, and monthly rent rates are 3.3% higher than usual. Additionally, median income levels contribute to the equation, with Biddeford flaunting a median household income of $54,915, 0.7% lower than the national norm.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Biddeford?

Subsidies: Certain regions may provide government subsidies or assistance initiatives designed to alleviate the cost of living burden on their residents. These programs encompass a wide range of support mechanisms, such as Medicare, Medicaid, housing subsidies, low-income home energy assistance programs, school lunch programs, supplemental nutrition assistance programs, student loans, electric vehicle tax credits, affordable care act subsidies and farming subsidies. Areas with fewer subsidy offerings might experience an elevation in their cost of living.

Groceries: The costs associated with groceries have witnessed substantial increases over the past 2-3 years. In select markets, food prices have escalated by more than 20% during this timeframe, whereas others have seen more restrained upticks. The variances in food expenses can exert a considerable influence on the overall cost of living in a given locale. In Biddeford, the groceries index is 1.8% higher than the national average.

Taxes: Regions that impose higher taxes, including sales and income taxes, can contribute to an increased cost of living. Higher taxes for everyday necessities such as clothing, utilities and food inevitably leads to higher expenditures. Additionally, a higher income tax rate can also play a role in elevating the overall cost of living. In Biddeford, the prevailing sales tax rate starts at 5.5%, and income tax rates kick off at 5.8%.

Where is the Data From?

The Biddeford cost of living data you see above is sourced from the C2ER cost of living index, providing a practical and accurate means of comparing living expenses in urban areas. Updated quarterly, this index gathers data from over 300 independent researchers, covering more than 60 goods and services, in 6 different categories. These selections are made meticulously to represent a wide range of consumer expenditure categories. The weightings applied to cost differences are based on government survey data that tracks spending patterns among professional and executive households. It's important to note that while the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, AreaVibes factors tax rates into the overall cost of living score for each region.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Biddeford is 11% higher than the Maine average
  • The cost of living in Biddeford is 14% higher than the national average
  • Biddeford housing is 30% higher than the national average
  • Maine general sales tax is 8% higher than the national average
  • Maine state income tax is 123% higher than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Biddeford

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Compare Biddeford, ME Cost of Living

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      Salary Calculator

      This is how much you would need to earn in
      Price difference in compared to
      Cost of living index
      Goods & Services index
      Groceries index
      Health care index
      Housing index
      Transportation index
      Utilities index

      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$82,708$6,892$1,930$2,481
      Renters$37,454$3,121$874$1,124
      A good indicator of the general affordability of housing in Biddeford, ME, is the percentage of monthly income that should be spent on housing expenses, otherwise known as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). Generally speaking, no more than 28 percent of your total gross income should be spent on your housing expenses and not more than 36 percent of your gross income on total expenses, including debts. In Biddeford, the median monthly income is $82,708 for those who own their own homes. Under the standard rule, that income level would allow for $1,930 to be budgeted for housing expenses each month, at the most. Renters, on the other hand, earn about $37,454, per the median income in the area. That would allow for renters to spend up to $874 on monthly rental expenses.

      Maine Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      Maine 5.5% 5.5%

      Maine Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      Maine 5.8% 7.15%

      Goods & Services

      Item Biddeford National avg. Difference
      Haircut $28.67$24.2618.2%
      Beauty Salon $53.03$45.5616.4%
      Toothpaste $3.69$3.700.3%
      Shampoo $1.17$1.288.9%
      Movie $13.07$12.137.7%
      Bowling $17.76$18.001.4%

      Groceries

      Item Biddeford National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $5.41$5.847.3%
      Fried Chicken $1.43$1.578.9%
      Milk $4.75$4.671.7%
      Potatoes $5.00$4.931.3%
      Pizza $11.93$12.091.3%
      Beer $10.22$10.411.9%

      Health Care

      Item Biddeford National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $170.67$125.6835.8%
      Doctor $146.50$135.787.9%
      Dentist $119.58$113.295.6%
      Ibuprofen $10.72$10.650.7%
      Lipitor $372.90$468.6020.4%

      Housing

      Item Biddeford National avg. Difference
      Home Price $260,500.00$184,700.0041.0%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $2,456.69$2,346.694.7%
      Apartment Rent $980.00$949.003.3%

      Transportation

      Item Biddeford National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.52$3.461.7%
      Tire Balancing $76.01$59.9226.8%

      Utilities

      Item Biddeford National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $218.65$193.9912.7%
      Phone $185.73$192.253.4%
      Although the cost of living data is updated regularly, this cost of living information is to be used as estimates only as prices can change on an ongoing basis.

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Alfred, ME9971043.8%
      Lake Arrowhead, ME2,7271076.8%
      Old Orchard Beach, ME8,9521099.2%
      North Berwick, ME1,7161099.3%
      Westbrook, ME18,93511312.6%
      Biddeford, ME21,50211413.9%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Klamath Falls, OR21,5091000.2%
      Ramona, CA21,49315554.9%
      Varennes, QC21,490n/a 
      Anniston, AL21,5188712.7%
      Darien, CT21,519247147.2%
      Biddeford, ME21,50211413.9%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.