City Comparison
Gorham vs Biddeford
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Gorham scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Gorham
Biddeford
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Gorham is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
33% lower than in Biddeford.
Housing costs are a major driver: Gorham's average rent is
18% lower than Biddeford's.
| Metric | Gorham | Biddeford | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,800 | $2,199 | -18% |
| Groceries | $400 | $426 | -6% |
| Utilities | $180 | $428 | -58% |
| Transport | $120 | $789 | -85% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $252 | -1% |
| Monthly Total | $2,750 | $4,094 | -33% |
| Cost Index | 108 | 122 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Gorham offers 7% higher 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 Gorham is estimated at
$60,000 vs $87,960 in Biddeford.
| Metric | Gorham | Biddeford |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $72,000 | $67,565 |
| Salary Needed | $60,000 | $87,960 |
| Purchasing Power | 66,667 idx | 55,381 idx |
| Household Income | $112,312 | $72,333 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Gorham runs warmer on average — a 47.4°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Gorham comes out ahead with 254 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Gorham sees 43.6 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Gorham | Biddeford |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 47.40°F | °F |
| Summer High | 79.10°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 13.00°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 39.00 in | in |
| Snowfall | 43.60 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 254 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 71.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Biddeford has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,000 minutes (67 hours) per year compared to Gorham.
Gorham scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Gorham leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Gorham | Biddeford |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 32 min | 24 min |
| Transit Score | 40.0/100 | 30.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Biddeford is the larger city
— approximately 0.9x 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 | Gorham | Biddeford |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 19,895 | 22,932 |
| Pop. Growth | 3.41% | — |
| Median Age | 39.4 | 35.0 |
| Unemployment | 2.40% | 3.00% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
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.
Biddeford
Advantages
Vibrant downtown with revitalized historic mill buildings and cultural attractions.
Lower unemployment rate (3% in May 2026) compared to the national average.
Strong presence of top industries like Education and Health Care and Social Services providing job opportunities.
Relatively young median age (35.0 years) contributing to a dynamic community.
Access to a full-service hospital, MaineHealth Maine Medical Center Biddeford, within the city.
Drawbacks
Overall cost of living is significantly higher than the national average (22% higher in 2026).
Highest violent crime rate in Maine (313.8 per 100K in 2024) and overall crime rate 26% higher than national average.
Housing costs are notably high, with average apartment rent at $2,199/month in July 2026.
High car dependency due to limited public transportation options.
Long-term care costs, such as assisted living and nursing homes, are considerably higher than national averages.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
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
Biddeford
#536Maine, USA
49.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,199
Avg Salary
$67,565
Cost Index
122
Commute
24 min
Transit Score
30.0/100
Walkability
45.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
3.00%
Livability
67
Business
68
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