Saco 84 Exceptional
Saco Livability #5 ranked city in Maine#732 ranked city in the USARanks better than 97% of areas
Is This the Right Place for You? Local Insights Report
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Local Insights Report

Pros and Cons of Living in Saco

PROS
  • Commute Commute

    The high commute score in this area could imply easy access to public transportation, as well as shorter-than-average commute times to your workplace.

  • Crime Crime

    This area boasts a crime rate that is far below the national average, making it a very safe place to live. These crime statistics encompass both property and violent offenses.

  • Employment Employment

    With higher than average median household income, income per capita and lower unemployment rates, this area scores extremely well in the employment category.

  • Housing Housing

    Impressive scores in the housing category characterize this area, potentially attributed to the availability of affordable housing, strong appreciation rates and high home values.

  • Health & Safety Health & Safety

    Accessible health facilities like hospitals, doctors offices, clinics and nursing homes as well as good air quality are all factors that have led to a high score in this category.

CONS
  • Amenities Amenities

    The majority of amenities will be difficult to reach within a short walk, often requiring residents to use a vehicle or public transportation for access.

What's it like Living in Saco?

Saco is a medium-sized city located in the state of Maine. The city has a population of 20,356 people. If we take a look at the last Census, the vast majority of the population falls within one racial group (93% White). Given that fact, Saco could be considered less diverse than other cities. Long travel times to work can be one of the most frustrating things in the world - right behind housework! If you decide that living in Saco is the right fit for you, your one way commute time will average 25 minutes, which is about average when compared to the national commute time of 26 minutes.

Without the right tools, moving to any new area can be very stressful and challenging. Living in Saco, 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. Using the livability score which includes data from categories like commute, education, employment, housing, you can easily compare the best places to live in Saco and also determine if there are any nearby cities that might be a better match for your lifestyle. You can also compare Saco to Maine and the national average.

The livability score in Saco is 82/100 and the city is ranked in the 96th percentile of all cities across America. Pack your bags! This is a very high score in comparison to other US cities. Living in Saco could be a great choice! Saco has also earned the rare honor of ranking in the top 10 percentile among all cities. If we dig a little deeper into each category within the livability score, we see that Saco has higher than average grades for the following: crime (A-), education (B), employment (A) and housing (A+). Unfortunately for Saco, there are some categories for which it does not rank well, this includes: amenities (F) and cost of living (D-).

Ensuring a sense of security is paramount for the majority of residents in any area. Low crime rates exert a positive influence on various aspects, including home prices, rates of home appreciation and the cultivation of positive community dynamics and social cohesion. In the case of Saco, it boasts a notably low violent crime rate of 80 crimes per 100,000 residents, which significantly outperforms the national average.

The unemployment rate in Saco has consistently declined over the years and currently stands well below the national average at 1.9%. 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. Saco 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.

Being close to public transit, grocery stores, parks and other conveniences are all important when weighing your options for a new home in Saco. Before you determine if any of these amenities are available in the area, you will also want to know if the real estate prices in Saco are affordable. Median real estate prices in Saco come in at $495,897, which is 59.3% higher than the Maine average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Saco, the home price to income ratio is 4.7, which is 14.6% higher than the Maine average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Saco

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How Do You Rate The Livability In Saco?

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Compare Saco, ME Livability

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      Saco transportation information

      Statistic Saco Maine National
      Average one way commute25min24min26min
      Workers who drive to work81.7%78.2%76.4%
      Workers who carpool9.0%10.1%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit0.3%0.6%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.1%0.4%0.6%
      Workers who walk0.9%4.0%2.8%
      Working from home7.4%5.5%4.6%
      Source: The Saco, 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.