City Comparison
Lewiston vs Biddeford
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Lewiston scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Lewiston
Biddeford
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Lewiston is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
48% lower than in Biddeford.
Housing costs are a major driver: Lewiston's average rent is
43% lower than Biddeford's.
| Metric | Lewiston | Biddeford | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,250 | $2,199 | -43% |
| Groceries | $380 | $426 | -11% |
| Utilities | $180 | $428 | -58% |
| Transport | $110 | $789 | -86% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $252 | -13% |
| Monthly Total | $2,140 | $4,094 | -48% |
| Cost Index | 94 | 122 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Biddeford offers 14% lower 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 Lewiston is estimated at
$50,000 vs $87,960 in Biddeford.
| Metric | Lewiston | Biddeford |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $58,000 | $67,565 |
| Salary Needed | $50,000 | $87,960 |
| Purchasing Power | 61,702 idx | 55,381 idx |
| Household Income | $53,000 | $72,333 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Lewiston runs warmer on average — a 46.3°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Lewiston comes out ahead with 260 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Lewiston sees 53.9 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Lewiston | Biddeford |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 46.30°F | °F |
| Summer High | 78.20°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 11.80°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 38.00 in | in |
| Snowfall | 53.90 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 260 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 71.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Lewiston has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Biddeford.
Lewiston scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Lewiston leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Lewiston | Biddeford |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 21 min | 24 min |
| Transit Score | 45.0/100 | 30.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 40.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Lewiston is the larger city
— approximately 1.7x the population of Biddeford.
From a growth perspective, Lewiston is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Biddeford has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Lewiston | Biddeford |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 38,484 | 22,932 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | — |
| Median Age | 38.5 | 35.0 |
| Unemployment | 3.80% | 3.00% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
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.
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.
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
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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