C+
2%
Overall NAT. AVG.
9%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
9%
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 Brewer Maine National
Cost of living102102100
Goods & Services109109100
Groceries102102100
Health care103103100
Housing9192100
Transportation109109100
Utilities107107100
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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Brewer is equal to the Maine average
  • The cost of living in Brewer is 2% higher than the national average
  • Brewer housing is 9% lower than the national average
  • Maine general sales tax is 8% higher than the national average
  • Maine state income tax is 157% higher than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Brewer

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Compare Brewer, 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$74,351$6,196$1,735$2,231
      Renters$30,489$2,541$711$915
      The percentage of monthly income spent on housing related expenses can help predict the affordability of housing in Brewer, ME, as well as what the overall cost of living might be. Generally, a good rule to follow is that the debt-to-income (DTI) level you want to maintain is 28 percent or less of your income on your rent or mortgage payments and not more than 36 percent of income on all expenses and debts. In Brewer, homeowners have a median income of $74,351. Using that number, a maximum of $1,735 per month should be allocated to housing expenses. For those who are renting instead of owning, the median income is $30,489, which means there is a maximum of $711 to be spent on the costs of renting a home or apartment.

      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 Brewer 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 Brewer 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 Brewer 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 Brewer National avg. Difference
      Home Price $167,600.00$184,700.009.3%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $2,456.69$2,346.694.7%
      Apartment Rent $873.00$949.008.0%

      Transportation

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

      Utilities

      Item Brewer 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.
      Bucksport, ME2,879964.3%
      Milford, ME2,356963.6%
      Old Town, ME7,453982.3%
      Bangor, ME32,0291010.5%
      Winterport, ME1,4501021.5%
      Brewer, ME9,0261022.3%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      University of California-Davis, CA9,03112221.9%
      St. Anthony, MN9,03511110.7%
      Monett, MO9,0358415.9%
      Wood-Ridge, NJ9,01614040.2%
      Bridgewater, NS9,016n/a 
      Brewer, ME9,0261022.3%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.