Caribou 73 Excellent
Caribou Livability #39 ranked city in Maine#4,880 ranked city in the USARanks better than 83% of areas

Pros and Cons of Living in Caribou

PROS
  • 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

    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

    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

    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

    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

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

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What's it like Living in Caribou?

Caribou is a smaller city located in the state of Maine. The city has a population of 7,659 inhabitants. Caribou has a population density of 97 people per square mile. This would be considered well below the national population density level. 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 prefer shorter commutes, living in Caribou will be a delight. With an average one-way commute time of just 16 minutes, traveling to and from work is notably more convenient than the national average, which stands at 26 minutes.

Without the right tools, relocating to any new city can be very stressful and challenging. Living in Caribou, Maine could be a great experience for anyone who puts in the effort to do the research required. When searching for a new neighborhood, several key items should be considered. Safety is paramount, ensuring a secure environment for you and your family. Proximity to workplaces or schools reduces commuting time and enhances convenience. Access to amenities like parks, grocery stores and healthcare facilities contributes to a comfortable lifestyle. Reliable public transportation options promote easy mobility. A strong sense of community fosters social connections and a welcoming atmosphere. Finding the best places to live in Caribou and nearby areas is a much easier task when you can rely on information and data from the livability score, which includes amenities, cost of living, health & safety, education, employment and other important metrics.

Caribou, ME receives 73 out of 100 for its livability score; this results in a ranking of #38 in Maine and #4,375 in the USA. If we check out each of the categories individually, we see that Caribou ranks well for crime (A+), cost of living (A+) and housing (B+). There is at least one category that you should be aware of in Caribou. The following was graded with a discouraging score: amenities (F).

Low violent crime rates (murder, rape, robbery, assault) provide a safer environment for residents, reducing the risk of personal harm, property theft or violence. Low crime can also lead to increased property values and desirability. With 68 crimes per 100,000 residents, Caribou has a violent crime rate that is far below the national average.

The Caribou unemployment rate of 1.24% has continued to decrease over the years and is now well below the national average. The result could lead to reduced poverty and inequality in the area, higher wages and increased economic growth. This is a positive sign in the overall health of the local economy.

A healthy real estate market serves as a key economic indicator. It could signify overall local economic strength, stability and reflects consumer confidence in the area. Based on multiple factors including: median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability, Caribou has received high marks in the housing category. Based on these calculations, the apartment rental and real estate market appears to be very healthy.

Assuming that Caribou meets all of your requirements like low crime rates, good schools and great local amenities, the next most important item to examine is the affordability of real estate in Caribou. Everything else becomes a lot less important if it turns out that home prices in Caribou are simply unattainable. The median home price for Caribou homes is $93,100, which is 47.1% 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 2.2, which is 37.1% lower than the Maine average.

Best Places to Live in and 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).