| Index | Waterville | Maine | National |
| Cost of living | 94 | 100 | 100 |
| Groceries | 103 | 103 | 100 |
| Health care | 102 | 101 | 100 |
| Housing | 72 | 91 | 100 |
| Transportation | 104 | 103 | 100 |
| Utilities | 105 | 108 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 101 | 103 | 100 |
| Household Items | 103 | 103 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 105 | 106 | 100 |
Are you thinking about relocating, but curious about the potential cost of living in Waterville? Is it more expensive or more affordable than average? Based on the most recent report, the cost of living in Waterville stands at 94, making it 6% lower than the national average. The cost of living directly affects the affordability of one's desired lifestyle. Knowing the cost of housing, transportation, groceries and other essentials in the new area allows people to gauge whether they can maintain their preferred standard of living.
The cost of living in Waterville closely mirrors the national average in comparison to other cities nationwide. Essential items such as groceries, houshold expenses, health care and utilities are priced at a level consistent with similar urban areas. This means that residents of Waterville can anticipate that their daily expenses will remain reasonably in line with those of an average city, contributing to a manageable cost of living.
Is Waterville affordable? This is a pivotal question, especially when mulling over a move, as affordability carries substantial weight in your decision-making process. Factors such as the cost of living index (discussed earlier), housing expenses and income levels all contribute to a location's affordability. For instance, in Waterville, the median home price is 31.9% lower than the national average and monthly rent prices are 19.9% lower than the typical rates. Additionally, the median income levels play a role in affordability, with Waterville boasting a median household income of $59,101, 27.3% lower than the national average.
Transportation: When public transportation options are limited or non-existent, residents frequently resort to vehicle ownership, which can significantly contribute to the overall cost of living. Monthly financial obligations encompass fuel, insurance, regular maintenance and potentially lease or financing expenses. In Waterville, the transportation index is 3.9% higher than the national average.
Utilities: Similar to the prices of any goods or services, utility expenses can fluctuate widely, contingent on variables such as climate, available energy sources, geographical location and state regulations. Costs associated with electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can differ in magnitude, depending on the specific city or state. In Waterville, the utilities index registers at 5.3% higher than the national average.
Healthcare: Healthcare costs and insurance premiums can undergo substantial fluctuations based on the city or state of residence. Elements such as the availability of healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket costs for medical consultations, dental expenses, prescription medication charges and specialized medical care fees all contribute to variations in the cost of living. In Waterville, healthcare costs are 1.7% higher than the national average.
The Waterville cost of living estimates above use a normalized U.S. average of 100 as the baseline for comparison. Housing values incorporate local home price and rental information from the U.S. Census, while all other estimates are AI-assisted and modeled using expected everyday expenses, local market trends, climate, and transportation-related cost pressures. The results are intended for practical city-to-city comparisons.
| Cost of living index | |
| Groceries index | |
| Health care index | |
| Housing index | |
| Transportation index | |
| Utilities index | |
| Lifestyle index | |
| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $91,442 | $7,620 | $2,134 | $2,744 |
| Renters | $35,703 | $2,975 | $833 | $1,071 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| Maine | 5.5% | 5.5% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| Maine | 5.8% | 7.15% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Fairfield, ME | 2,378 | 92 | 7.8% |
| Clinton, ME | 1,265 | 94 | 5.7% |
| Winslow, ME | 5,075 | 95 | 4.8% |
| Norridgewock, ME | 1,306 | 97 | 2.9% |
| Oakland, ME | 2,380 | 99 | 1.3% |
| Waterville, ME | 17,244 | 94 | 6.2% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Easton, MD | 17,240 | 118 | 17.7% |
| Tahlequah, OK | 17,253 | 89 | 10.8% |
| Southbridge Town, MA | 17,257 | 116 | 15.9% |
| Dallas, OR | 17,229 | 113 | 12.7% |
| Mount Vernon, OH | 17,264 | 88 | 11.8% |
| Waterville, ME | 17,244 | 94 | 6.2% |
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