City Comparison
Gorham vs Lewiston
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Gorham scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Gorham
Lewiston
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Lewiston is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
22% lower than in Gorham.
Housing costs are a major driver: Gorham's average rent is
44% higher than Lewiston's.
| Metric | Gorham | Lewiston | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,800 | $1,250 | +44% |
| Groceries | $400 | $380 | +5% |
| Utilities | $180 | $180 | 0% |
| Transport | $120 | $110 | +9% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $220 | +14% |
| Monthly Total | $2,750 | $2,140 | +29% |
| Cost Index | 108 | 94 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Gorham offers 24% 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 $50,000 in Lewiston.
| Metric | Gorham | Lewiston |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $72,000 | $58,000 |
| Salary Needed | $60,000 | $50,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 66,667 idx | 61,702 idx |
| Household Income | $112,312 | $53,000 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 1.1°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Lewiston sees 10.3 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Gorham | Lewiston |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 47.40°F | 46.30°F |
| Summer High | 79.10°F | 78.20°F |
| Winter Low | 13.00°F | 11.80°F |
| Rainfall | 39.00 in | 38.00 in |
| Snowfall | 43.60 in | 53.90 in |
| Sunny Days | 254 | 260 |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Lewiston has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
5,500 minutes (92 hours) per year compared to Gorham.
Lewiston scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
| Metric | Gorham | Lewiston |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 32 min | 21 min |
| Transit Score | 40.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 58.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | 40.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Lewiston is the larger city
— approximately 0.5x 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 | Lewiston |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 19,895 | 38,484 |
| Pop. Growth | 3.41% | 0.50% |
| Median Age | 39.4 | 38.5 |
| Unemployment | 2.40% | 3.80% |
| 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.
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.
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
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
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