City Comparison
Brunswick vs Gorham
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Gorham scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Brunswick
Gorham
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Brunswick is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
7% lower than in Gorham.
| Metric | Brunswick | Gorham | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,650 | $1,800 | -8% |
| Groceries | $400 | $400 | 0% |
| Utilities | $180 | $180 | 0% |
| Transport | $120 | $120 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $250 | -12% |
| Monthly Total | $2,570 | $2,750 | -7% |
| Cost Index | 105 | 108 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Gorham offers 11% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Gorham delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Brunswick is estimated at
$55,000 vs $60,000 in Gorham.
| Metric | Brunswick | Gorham |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $64,000 | $72,000 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $60,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 60,952 idx | 66,667 idx |
| Household Income | $74,952 | $112,312 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0.5°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Brunswick sees 3.7 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Brunswick | Gorham |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 46.90°F | 47.40°F |
| Summer High | 77.10°F | 79.10°F |
| Winter Low | 12.90°F | 13.00°F |
| Rainfall | 40.30 in | 39.00 in |
| Snowfall | 47.30 in | 43.60 in |
| Sunny Days | 250 | 254 |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Brunswick has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,500 minutes (75 hours) per year compared to Gorham.
Brunswick scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Brunswick leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Brunswick | Gorham |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 23 min | 32 min |
| Transit Score | 52.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Walkability | 64.0/100 | 58.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | 42.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Brunswick is the larger city
— approximately 1.1x the population of Gorham.
From a growth perspective, Gorham is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Gorham has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Brunswick | Gorham |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 22,336 | 19,895 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.28% | 3.41% |
| Median Age | 40.0 | 39.4 |
| Unemployment | 3.80% | 2.40% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Brunswick
Advantages
Median household income stands at $74,952, outperforming many non-metropolitan areas in Maine.
Direct Amtrak Downeaster rail service connects downtown Brunswick directly to Boston.
Thriving innovation economy and job growth centered around the redeveloped Brunswick Landing campus.
Exceptional public safety with crime rates significantly below the national average.
Rich cultural and educational amenities driven by the presence of Bowdoin College.
Drawbacks
Housing inventory is tight, putting upward pressure on local rental and home purchase prices.
High heating and electricity utility costs during severe New England winters.
Modest public transit infrastructure outside of the downtown core and rail connection.
Property taxes can be burdensome for fixed-income residents and retirees.
Winter weather brings heavy snowfall averaging over 47 inches annually.
Gorham
Advantages
Median household income in Gorham is robust at $112,312, comfortably outperforming the national average per Census data.
The town boasts a high homeownership rate of roughly 78.8%, reflecting neighborhood stability and community investment.
Gorham maintains low crime rates and a family-friendly profile significantly safer than national norms.
Proximity to the University of Southern Maine infuses the town with cultural events, college athletics, and educational resources.
Abundant outdoor recreational access, including the Presumpscot River and local trail networks.
Drawbacks
Median property values have climbed past $500,000, presenting affordability hurdles for first-time home buyers.
Average rent prices remain elevated, driven by high regional demand across Cumberland County.
Car dependency is high, with limited public mass transit options connecting outlying hamlets.
Average commute times can stretch past 30 minutes during peak hours for workers heading into Portland.
Inventory constraints in the local housing market limit choices for prospective movers.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Brunswick
#162Maine, USA
64.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,650
Avg Salary
$64,000
Cost Index
105
Commute
23 min
Transit Score
52.0/100
Walkability
64.0/100
Sunny Days
250/yr
Avg Temp
46.90°F
Pop. Growth
1.28%
Unemployment
3.80%
Livability
79
Business
70
Gorham
#33Maine, USA
71.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,800
Avg Salary
$72,000
Cost Index
108
Commute
32 min
Transit Score
40.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
254/yr
Avg Temp
47.40°F
Pop. Growth
3.41%
Unemployment
2.40%
Livability
80
Business
72
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