City Comparison
Brunswick vs Lewiston
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Brunswick scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Brunswick
Lewiston
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Lewiston is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
17% lower than in Brunswick.
Housing costs are a major driver: Brunswick's average rent is
32% higher than Lewiston's.
| Metric | Brunswick | Lewiston | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,650 | $1,250 | +32% |
| Groceries | $400 | $380 | +5% |
| Utilities | $180 | $180 | 0% |
| Transport | $120 | $110 | +9% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $220 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,570 | $2,140 | +20% |
| Cost Index | 105 | 94 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Brunswick offers 10% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Lewiston delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Brunswick is estimated at
$55,000 vs $50,000 in Lewiston.
| Metric | Brunswick | Lewiston |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $64,000 | $58,000 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $50,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 60,952 idx | 61,702 idx |
| Household Income | $74,952 | $53,000 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0.6°F of each other.
For sunshine, Lewiston comes out ahead with 10 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Lewiston sees 6.6 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Brunswick | Lewiston |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 46.90°F | 46.30°F |
| Summer High | 77.10°F | 78.20°F |
| Winter Low | 12.90°F | 11.80°F |
| Rainfall | 40.30 in | 38.00 in |
| Snowfall | 47.30 in | 53.90 in |
| Sunny Days | 250 | 260 |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
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 | Lewiston |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 23 min | 21 min |
| Transit Score | 52.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Walkability | 64.0/100 | 58.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | 40.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Lewiston is the larger city
— approximately 0.6x the population of Brunswick.
From a growth perspective, Brunswick is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
| Metric | Brunswick | Lewiston |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 22,336 | 38,484 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.28% | 0.50% |
| Median Age | 40.0 | 38.5 |
| Unemployment | 3.80% | 3.80% |
| 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.
Lewiston
Advantages
Median home prices and overall cost of living remain significantly below the national average and southern New England standards.
Strong healthcare infrastructure anchored by major employers like Central Maine Medical Center and St. Mary's Regional Medical Center.
Rich cultural diversity and a vibrant downtown revitalization effort bringing new restaurants, arts, and local businesses.
Proximity to outdoor recreation, including the Androscoggin River, local parks, and easy access to Maine's lakes and mountains.
Presence of prestigious higher education institutions like Bates College, contributing to community enrichment and local events.
Drawbacks
Long, harsh winter weather with significant snowfall and high seasonal home heating costs.
Property tax rates in Androscoggin County can be relatively high compared to other municipalities.
Certain urban core neighborhoods face socio-economic challenges, elevated poverty rates, and pockets of property crime.
Local wage growth has historically lagged behind coastal economic hubs in Maine and Massachusetts.
Public transit options are somewhat limited, making car ownership practically essential for daily commuting and errands.
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
Lewiston
#431Maine, USA
56.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,250
Avg Salary
$58,000
Cost Index
94
Commute
21 min
Transit Score
45.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
260/yr
Avg Temp
46.30°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
3.80%
Livability
72
Business
66
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Brunswick and Lewiston.
Open Cost Calculator