| Index | Biddeford | Maine | National |
| Cost of living | 113 | 100 | 100 |
| Groceries | 103 | 103 | 100 |
| Health care | 101 | 101 | 100 |
| Housing | 134 | 91 | 100 |
| Transportation | 101 | 103 | 100 |
| Utilities | 109 | 108 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 105 | 103 | 100 |
| Household Items | 103 | 103 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 109 | 106 | 100 |
Understanding the cost of living in Biddeford can help future residents assess whether their current financial situation aligns with the expenses they will encounter. It enables them to plan for potential changes in their budget and lifestyle. The Biddeford cost of living index is 113, which is 13% higher than the national average. The cost of living index is calculated by taking into account multiple categories, which encompass both the cost of everyday expenditures and larger expenses as well.
Housing costs significantly influence the Biddeford cost of living index, typically accounting for a substantial portion of one's post-tax income. Regrettably, within this particular region, expenses related to both residential ownership and renting exceeded those observed in an average city by 33.7%. This entails elements such as housing and rental prices, mortgage interest rates and insurance costs.
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 47.4% higher than the national average, and monthly rent rates are 1.7% higher than usual. Additionally, median income levels contribute to the equation, with Biddeford flaunting a median household income of $82,967, 2% higher than the national norm.
Urbanization: Urban areas with a wealth of amenities and employment opportunities tend to come with a higher price tag for living. Why? Well, more people want to be there, which drives up home prices and rents. On the flip side, less densely populated rural areas or places where there's not as much demand usually mean fewer attractions, things to do and slower job growth. That often results in a lower cost of living.
Healthcare: The costs associated with healthcare and insurance premiums can exhibit notable disparities based on the city or state of residence. Access to healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for medical appointments, dental care charges, prescription medication costs and specialized medical care expenses all contribute to variations in the cost of living. In Biddeford, healthcare costs are 0.5% higher than the national average.
Subsidies: Some cities and states may extend government subsidies or aid programs aimed at reducing the cost of living for their residents. These initiatives encompass diverse forms of support, including 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 farm subsidies. Regions with limited subsidy provisions may witness an increase in their overall cost of living.
The Biddeford cost of living estimates above use a normalized U.S. average of 100 as the baseline for comparison. Housing values incorporate local home price and rental information from the U.S. Census, while all other estimates are AI-assisted and modeled using expected everyday expenses, local market trends, climate, and transportation-related cost pressures. The results are intended for practical city-to-city comparisons.
| Cost of living index | |
| Groceries index | |
| Health care index | |
| Housing index | |
| Transportation index | |
| Utilities index | |
| Lifestyle index | |
| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $123,591 | $10,299 | $2,884 | $3,708 |
| Renters | $54,827 | $4,569 | $1,279 | $1,645 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| Maine | 5.5% | 5.5% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| Maine | 5.8% | 7.15% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Alfred, ME | 1,030 | 101 | 0.8% |
| Lake Arrowhead, ME | 2,809 | 105 | 4.9% |
| Old Orchard Beach, ME | 9,273 | 108 | 7.8% |
| North Berwick, ME | 1,778 | 108 | 8.3% |
| Westbrook, ME | 19,325 | 110 | 10.4% |
| Biddeford, ME | 22,077 | 113 | 12.9% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Bonney Lake, WA | 22,079 | 135 | 34.9% |
| Huntsville, ON | 22,073 | n/a | |
| Bear, DE | 22,065 | 109 | 9.1% |
| Portsmouth, NH | 22,060 | 138 | 37.9% |
| Pickerington, OH | 22,095 | 106 | 6.3% |
| Biddeford, ME | 22,077 | 113 | 12.9% |
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