Caribou 74 Excellent
Caribou Livability #46 ranked city in Maine#4,849 ranked city in the USARanks better than 83% of areas
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Pros and Cons of Living in Caribou

PROS
  • Cost Of Living Cost Of Living

    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.

  • Crime Crime

    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.

  • Housing Housing

    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.

  • Health & Safety Health & Safety

    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.

CONS
  • Amenities Amenities

    A majority of amenities are not ideally situated within a reasonable walking distance, which may lead residents to rely on a vehicle or public transportation.

  • Commute Commute

    Public transportation is not readily available in this area and the average commute time to work could also be longer than the national average.

What's it like Living in Caribou?

Caribou is a smaller city located in the state of Maine. The city has a population of 7,890 residents. In Caribou, there are 100 people per square mile, which is well below the national population density average. At 96%, the majority of the Caribou population is White; this is followed by 1% American Indian and Alaskan and 0% Black. The Caribou population appears to be aging at a faster rate than normal. The median age is currently 53, which is on the high side when compared to most other cities. If you're not a fan of traffic congestion and long commute times to work, Caribou is the place to be. Commutes to work here are shorter, with an average one-way commute time taking only 16 minutes, significantly lower than the national average of 26 minutes.

Whether you’re moving to a new area to be closer to family, friends or for a new job, living in Caribou could be a positive experience compared to other cities in Maine if you know where to search. Don't forget to determine what matters most to you in a neighborhood. Consider factors such as safety, proximity to work or school, access to amenities (like parks, fitness facilities, grocery stores, restaurants), public transportation options, community atmosphere and the overall vibe you're looking for. To help you find the best places to live in and around Caribou, AreaVibes has created a livability score using key metrics like amenities, cost of living, education and more.

With a livability score of 73/100, Caribou is ranked #4,880 in the United States and #39 in Maine. There are nine total categories that form the livability score. Caribou scores well for crime (A+), cost of living (A+) and housing (A+) Caribou does not do well for the following: amenities (F) and education (D). It might be a smart idea to take a closer look at each category to find out why.

The unemployment rate in Caribou has consistently declined over the years and currently stands well below the national average at 1.3%. This downward trend holds the potential to reduce poverty and inequality within the region, promote higher wage levels and stimulate greater economic growth. Such positive indicators signal the overall robust health of the local economy, offering a promising outlook for its residents and fostering an environment of financial well-being and prosperity.

A robust real estate market serves as a crucial economic indicator, reflecting the local area's strength, stability and the confidence of its residents. Caribou 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.

Certain items on your wish list like shopping, restaurants, nightlife, parks and proximity to public transportation are all important things to look for. Having said that, perhaps the most important metric to consider when contemplating a move to Caribou is real estate affordability. The median home price for Caribou homes is $163,900, which is 47.3% lower than the Maine average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Caribou, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 2.6, which is 36.6% lower than the Maine average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Caribou

See all the best places to live around Caribou

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Compare Caribou, ME Livability

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      Caribou transportation information

      Statistic Caribou Maine National
      Average one way commute16min24min26min
      Workers who drive to work88.6%78.2%76.4%
      Workers who carpool6.9%10.1%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit0.4%0.6%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.2%0.4%0.6%
      Workers who walk0.7%4.0%2.8%
      Working from home1.9%5.5%4.6%
      Source: The Caribou, ME data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) and include 2026 modeled data developed using proprietary methodologies.