
The overall cost of living in this area is much lower than average. This includes everyday goods and services, as well as housing, utilities and health care.
With a lower than average crime rate per 100,000 people, this area could be considered a very safe place to live. Crime rates are based on both violent and property crimes.
This area has received high scores in the housing category. This could be due to a positive home affordability ratio, high appreciation rates or elevated home values.
A high score in the health and safety category is a result of good air quality and the accessibility to health facilities such as hospitals, clinics, doctors, pharmacies and fire stations.
Public transportation is not readily available in this area and the average commute time to work could also be longer than the national average.
A low score in the employment category could indicate that this area struggles with high unemployment rates and low household income and income per capita levels.
Lower than average education levels, poor reading and math scores, as well as the inaccessibility of local elementary and high schools could all be factors in the low schools score.
Calais, Maine is a small-sized city with a population of 3,129 people. With a population density of 91 people per square mile, Calais is well below the nation's average density level. If we take a look at the last Census, the vast majority of the population falls within one racial group (98% White). Given that fact, Calais could be considered less diverse than other cities. Calais is considered to be a city with an aging population. The average age of all residents is 56, which is well beyond the United States median age average. If you are not a fan of long commutes, you will enjoy living in Calais. With an average one way commute time of only 17 minutes, getting to and from work is a breeze compared to the national average of 26 minutes.
Are you trying to ascertain if living in Calais is the right fit for your lifestyle? To ensure a fulfilling experience before moving to any new city in Maine, you will probably want to make sure that you check all of the most important boxes. Several key factors deserve attention. For one, safety is paramount, ensuring that your new area is low in crime is key. Proximity to workplaces or schools minimizes commute times and fosters convenience. Access to essential amenities like parks, grocery stores, food, fitness, shops and healthcare facilities enhances daily life. Efficient public transportation options provide mobility and connectivity. The sense of community creates a welcoming and supportive environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere, encompassing the vibe, aesthetics, and lifestyle offerings, contributes to a fulfilling living experience. Considering these elements helps identify the ideal neighborhood for your needs and preferences. Finding the best places to live in Calais and nearby areas is a much easier task when you can rely on information and data from the livability score, which includes amenities, crime, health & safety and other important metrics.
Calais, ME receives 72/100 for its livability score; this results in a ranking of #42 in Maine and #5,375 in the USA. If we probe a little deeper into each category within the livability score, we see that Calais has higher than average rankings for the following: crime (A+), cost of living (A+) and housing (A). On a more negative note, Calais does not have favorable scores for the following: education (D-) and employment (F). If we take a look at the data, we can find out why.
Crime rates can be the deciding factor for anyone looking to relocate to a new area, as the result is often a greater level of safety and security as well as an improved quality of life. Calais gets top scores for their low violent crime rates of 64 crimes per 100,000 residents, which are significantly lower than the national average.
A robust real estate market serves as a crucial economic indicator, reflecting the local area's strength, stability and the confidence of its residents. Calais excels in the housing sector, scoring high marks based on factors such as median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability. These calculations suggest that the apartment rental and real estate market in the region is exceptionally healthy, highlighting the area's economic vitality and attractiveness to potential homebuyers and renters.
Calais real estate prices and overall affordability will play a huge role in determining if the area is the right fit for you. Of course there are probably some other items on your “wish list”, but even before they are considered, let’s take a look at the home prices and affordability in Calais. The median home price for Calais homes is $170,233, which is 45.3% lower than the Maine average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Calais, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 3.3, which is 19.5% lower than the Maine average.

Why stop at city-to-city? With Local Insights, you can compare neighborhoods, zip codes, or even exact addresses. Access 300+ hyperlocal data points—from schools and crime to housing and amenities—to see which area is the better fit.
| Statistic | Calais | Maine | National |
| Average one way commute | 17min | 24min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 73.5% | 78.2% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 20.2% | 10.1% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 0.0% | 0.6% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.0% | 0.4% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 2.3% | 4.0% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 2.9% | 5.5% | 4.6% |