Houlton 72 Excellent
Houlton Livability #57 ranked city in Maine#5,987 ranked city in the USARanks better than 79% of areas
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Pros and Cons of Living in Houlton

PROS
  • Cost Of Living Cost Of Living

    The cost of living in this region is notably lower than the national average, encompassing everyday goods, housing, utilities, transportation and health care expenses.

  • Crime Crime

    The crime rate is far lower than the national average per 100,000 residents. As such, it should be considered a very safe place to live when compared to other areas.

  • Housing Housing

    High scores in the housing category are attributed to this area, possibly pointing to a favorable home affordability ratio, robust appreciation rates or elevated home values.

  • Health & Safety Health & Safety

    Achieving a high health and safety score relies on factors including great air quality and convenient access to vital health facilities such as hospitals, doctors, clinics and police stations.

CONS
  • Amenities Amenities

    A large portion of amenities are not ideally situated within walking distance, potentially requiring residents to utilize a vehicle or public transportation.

  • Commute Commute

    Access to public transportation in this particular area may be limited, which can result in longer-than-average commute times to reach workplaces.

  • Employment Employment

    Low income levels and high unemployment rates results in a low score in the employment category. It could prove difficult to find well-paying employment in this area.

What's it like Living in Houlton?

Located in the state of Maine, Houlton is a small-sized city with a population of 5,030 residents. The majority of Houlton residents report their race to be White; this is followed by Black and American Indian and Alaskan. If you're not a fan of traffic congestion and long commute times to work, Houlton is the place to be. Commutes to work here are shorter, with an average one-way commute time taking only 15 minutes, significantly lower than the national average of 26 minutes.

Are you trying to ascertain if living in Houlton is the right fit for your lifestyle? To ensure a great experience before relocating 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. The best areas in Houlton and in surrounding cities are easier to find when you are able to make informed decisions. Using data from amenities, crime, cost of living, health & safety, you will see a detailed breakdown of the most important information as well as comparisons to the Maine and national averages.

The livability score in Houlton is 70 out of 100 and the city is ranked in the 76th percentile of all cities across America. If we consider each of the categories individually, we see that Houlton ranks well for crime (A), cost of living (A+) and housing (A+). There is at least one category that did not score well in Houlton. The following was graded with a discouraging score: amenities (F) and employment (F).

Low rates of violent crime, encompassing offenses such as murder, rape, robbery and assault, contribute significantly to a safer living environment. This reduction in crime minimizes the chances of personal harm, property theft, or violent incidents. Furthermore, low crime rates can have a positive impact on property values and the overall desirability of an area. There were 49 crimes per 100,000 residents, which signifies that Houlton boasts an impressively low violent crime rate that falls well below the national average.

Finding affordable real estate and housing in Houlton can be tricky. Having said that, this area might be the place to get the best of both worlds. Based on factors like home/rental affordability and appreciation rates, this area has received an above average score in the housing category. A healthy real estate market can lead to wealth appreciation for property owners, as rising property values can contribute to homeowners' equity, financial stability and the ability to build long-term wealth.

Assuming that Houlton 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 Houlton. Everything else becomes a lot less important if it turns out that home prices in Houlton are simply unattainable. Median real estate prices in Houlton come in at $187,323, which is 39.8% lower than the Maine average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Houlton, the home price to income ratio is 2.9, which is 29.3% lower than the Maine average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Houlton

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Compare Houlton, ME Livability

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      Houlton transportation information

      Statistic Houlton Maine National
      Average one way commute15min24min26min
      Workers who drive to work80.1%78.2%76.4%
      Workers who carpool10.2%10.1%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit0.0%0.6%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.0%0.4%0.6%
      Workers who walk6.9%4.0%2.8%
      Working from home2.8%5.5%4.6%
      Source: The Houlton, 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.