City Comparison
Gorham vs York
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Gorham scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Gorham
York
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Gorham is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
26% lower than in York.
Housing costs are a major driver: Gorham's average rent is
33% lower than York's.
| Metric | Gorham | York | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,800 | $2,700 | -33% |
| Groceries | $400 | $450 | -11% |
| Utilities | $180 | $180 | 0% |
| Transport | $120 | $120 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $250 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,750 | $3,700 | -26% |
| Cost Index | 108 | 95 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Gorham offers 11% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, York delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Gorham is estimated at
$60,000 vs $55,000 in York.
| Metric | Gorham | York |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $72,000 | $65,000 |
| Salary Needed | $60,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 66,667 idx | 68,421 idx |
| Household Income | $112,312 | $121,250 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
York runs warmer on average — a 19.5°F difference year-round.
Winter severity differs too — Gorham sees 41 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Gorham | York |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 47.40°F | 66.90°F |
| Summer High | 79.10°F | 90.50°F |
| Winter Low | 13.00°F | 39.10°F |
| Rainfall | 39.00 in | 38.20 in |
| Snowfall | 43.60 in | 2.60 in |
| Sunny Days | 254 | 251 |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
York has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Gorham.
York scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, York leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Gorham | York |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 32 min | 28 min |
| Transit Score | 40.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 60.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Gorham is the larger city
— approximately 1.4x the population of York.
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 | York |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 19,895 | 13,986 |
| Pop. Growth | 3.41% | 1.20% |
| Median Age | 39.4 | 49.5 |
| Unemployment | 2.40% | 2.60% |
| 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.
York
Advantages
York offers a high quality of life with beautiful beaches and a strong sense of community.
The town is considered safe, with crime rates significantly lower than the national average.
York's housing market, while appreciating, offers opportunities for both buyers and sellers, with a strong preference for homeownership.
The median household income in York is substantially higher than the national average, indicating economic stability.
York enjoys a considerable amount of sunshine throughout the year, with over 2,400 hours annually.
Drawbacks
The cost of living, particularly housing, is higher than the national average.
York's economy is heavily influenced by seasonal tourism, which can lead to fluctuations in employment and business activity.
Transportation is primarily car-dependent, with limited public transit options.
The median age is higher than the national average, suggesting a potentially slower-paced lifestyle that may not appeal to all demographics.
While generally safe, property crime rates are still a consideration for residents.
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
York
#79Maine, USA
68.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,700
Avg Salary
$65,000
Cost Index
95
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
55.0/100
Walkability
60.0/100
Sunny Days
251/yr
Avg Temp
66.90°F
Pop. Growth
1.20%
Unemployment
2.60%
Livability
74
Business
68
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