Waterville 76 Exceptional
Waterville Livability #34 ranked city in Maine#3,498 ranked city in the USARanks better than 88% 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 Waterville

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.

  • Cost Of Living Cost Of Living

    Everyday cost of living expenses like goods and services, housing, groceries, transportation, health care and utilities are far below the national average.

  • 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.

  • Ratings Ratings

    Through surveys and polls, AreaVibes obtained feedback from local residents in the area, and the results did not indicate a favorable outlook on factors like local amenities and the safety of the area.

What's it like Living in Waterville?

Waterville, Maine is a medium-sized city with a population of 17,244 people. If we look at the most recent Census, Waterville is known to have a predominantly White population. The next two most common races are Asian and Black. Waterville is very likely to be a great place to live for singles as only 43%, of the population (over fifteen) are classified as married. If you are not a fan of long commutes, you will enjoy living in Waterville. With an average one way commute time of only 17 minutes, getting to and from work is a breeze compared to the national average of 26 minutes.

If you’re considering moving to any new city, it could be a very daunting task. However, it could also be a good experience if you are willing to get to know the town before actually living in Waterville, Maine. When searching for a new neighborhood, several key items should be considered. Safety is of utmost importance, ensuring a secure environment with low crime. Proximity to your workplace or school helps reduce commuting time and offers convenience. Access to amenities such as parks, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities enhances your daily life. Public transportation options contribute to easy mobility. A sense of community fosters a supportive and engaging environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere should align with your desired lifestyle, ensuring a fulfilling living experience. Considering these items will guide you towards finding the perfect neighborhood that fits all your needs. Using the livability score which includes data from categories like amenities, crime, education, you can easily compare the best places to live in Waterville and also determine if there are any nearby cities that might be a better match for your lifestyle. You can also compare Waterville to Maine and the national average.

With a livability score of 73 out of 100, Waterville is ranked #4,924 in the United States and #41 in Maine. Based on the scores for each individual category, Waterville has been rewarded with high marks for cost of living (A-) and housing (A-). There are some categories that Waterville ranks poorly for, including: amenities (F), education (D) and employment (D-). It might be worth taking a closer look to determine why.

Crime rates can be the deciding factor for anyone looking to relocate to a new area, as the result is often a greater level of safety and security as well as an improved quality of life. Waterville gets top scores for their low violent crime rates of 142 crimes per 100,000 residents, which are significantly lower than the national average.

The Waterville unemployment rate of 2.1% 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.

Real estate represents the most substantial investment for homebuyers, constituting their most valuable asset. Renters, on the other hand, typically see their monthly rent as their most significant expense. The Waterville market earns a high score in the housing category, surpassing the national average in factors like home and rental affordability and appreciation rates. This robust real estate market not only benefits individual homeowners and renters but also spurs vigorous local economic activity and job growth, solidifying its significance in driving the region's prosperity and financial well-being.

Assuming that Waterville 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 Waterville. Everything else becomes a lot less important if it turns out that home prices in Waterville are simply unattainable. Median real estate prices in Waterville come in at $222,385, which is 28.5% lower than the Maine average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Waterville, the home price to income ratio is 3.8, which is 7.3% lower than the Maine average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Waterville

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Compare Waterville, ME Livability

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      Waterville transportation information

      Statistic Waterville Maine National
      Average one way commute17min24min26min
      Workers who drive to work69.0%78.2%76.4%
      Workers who carpool11.0%10.1%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit0.1%0.6%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.0%0.4%0.6%
      Workers who walk14.0%4.0%2.8%
      Working from home5.2%5.5%4.6%
      Source: The Waterville, 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.