C
12%
Overall NAT. AVG.
9%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
23%
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 Brunswick Maine National
Cost of living112102100
Goods & Services109109100
Groceries102102100
Health care103103100
Housing12392100
Transportation109109100
Utilities107107100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Brunswick, ME

Getting a feel for the cost of living in Brunswick 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 Brunswick is 112, which is 12% 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 are a very significant part of the Brunswick cost of living index and generally encompass a large percentage of take-home income. Unfortunately, in this area, the housing costs for both homes and rentals were 22.6% more than the average city. This includes things like home and rent prices, mortgage rates and insurance.

Is Brunswick Affordable?

Is Brunswick an affordable place to live? It's a good question and one that you might want to ask when considering any new city, as affordability can play a huge role in the decision making process. The cost of living index (which we covered above), as well as housing costs and income levels play a vital role in determining the affordability of an area. The median home price in Brunswick is 28.6% higher than the national average, while the average monthly rent prices are 8.6% higher than average. The affordability of any location can also be influenced by median income levels. Brunswick has a median household income of $63,458, which is 14.7% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Brunswick?

Groceries: Grocery prices have seen substantial hikes in the last 2-3 years, with some markets witnessing food cost increases of over 20% during this period. Conversely, certain markets have experienced only moderate upticks. These variations in food expenses can have a substantial impact on the overall cost of living in any locality. In Brunswick, the groceries index is 1.8% higher than the national average.

Urbanization: Urban areas with extensive amenities and job opportunities tend to have a higher cost of living due to increased demand for services and relocation, resulting in higher home prices and higher rents. Less densely populated rural areas, or areas with less demand tend to have fewer amenities and slower job growth, which results in a lower cost of living.

Housing: A sought-after location with high housing demand often leads to increased property values and rental rates, which can significantly inflate the overall cost of living. Conversely, areas with low housing demand, particularly in less desirable locales, tend to experience the opposite effect, causing prices to drop and contributing to a more affordable cost of living. In Brunswick, the housing index stands at 22.6% higher than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living data in Brunswick displayed above is sourced from the C2ER cost of living index, which serves as a practical tool for comparing living expenses across urban areas. Published on a quarterly basis, this index aggregates data from over 300 independent researchers, encompassing more than 60 goods and services, in 6 different categories. The weightings assigned to cost differences rely on government survey data that tracks the spending habits of professional and executive households. It's worth noting that the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, while AreaVibes integrates tax rates into the overall cost of living evaluation for each region.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Brunswick is 9% higher than the Maine average
  • The cost of living in Brunswick is 12% higher than the national average
  • Brunswick housing is 23% 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 Brunswick

See all the best places to live around Brunswick

Compare Brunswick, ME Cost of Living

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      Salary Calculator

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      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$81,027$6,752$1,891$2,431
      Renters$43,618$3,635$1,018$1,309
      A good indicator of the general affordability of housing in Brunswick, 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 Brunswick, the median monthly income is $81,027 for those who own their own homes. Under the standard rule, that income level would allow for $1,891 to be budgeted for housing expenses each month, at the most. Renters, on the other hand, earn about $43,618, per the median income in the area. That would allow for renters to spend up to $1,018 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 Brunswick 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 Brunswick 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 Brunswick 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 Brunswick National avg. Difference
      Home Price $237,600.00$184,700.0028.6%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $2,456.69$2,346.694.7%
      Apartment Rent $1,031.00$949.008.6%

      Transportation

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

      Utilities

      Item Brunswick 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.
      Lewiston, ME36,158990.9%
      Lisbon Falls, ME4,0791000.4%
      Richmond, ME1,7401011.1%
      Wiscasset, ME1,2931021.9%
      Auburn, ME23,2671032.5%
      Brunswick, ME15,97411211.8%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Hope Mills, NC15,972936.7%
      Crowley, TX15,9721044.4%
      Cherryland, CA15,97615858.3%
      Center Point, AL15,9718812.0%
      Floral Park, NY15,97917070.1%
      Brunswick, ME15,97411211.8%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.