City Comparison
Orono vs Lewiston
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Orono scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Orono
Lewiston
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Lewiston is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
20% lower than in Orono.
Housing costs are a major driver: Orono's average rent is
40% higher than Lewiston's.
| Metric | Orono | Lewiston | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,750 | $1,250 | +40% |
| Groceries | $400 | $380 | +5% |
| Utilities | $180 | $180 | 0% |
| Transport | $120 | $110 | +9% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $220 | +5% |
| Monthly Total | $2,680 | $2,140 | +25% |
| Cost Index | 95 | 94 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Orono offers 6% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Orono delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Orono is estimated at
$52,000 vs $50,000 in Lewiston.
| Metric | Orono | Lewiston |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $61,528 | $58,000 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $50,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 64,766 idx | 61,702 idx |
| Household Income | $59,784 | $53,000 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0.59999999999999°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Lewiston sees 9.7 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Orono | Lewiston |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 45.70°F | 46.30°F |
| Summer High | 78.30°F | 78.20°F |
| Winter Low | 10.60°F | 11.80°F |
| Rainfall | 39.20 in | 38.00 in |
| Snowfall | 44.20 in | 53.90 in |
| Sunny Days | 251 | 260 |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Orono has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,000 minutes (50 hours) per year compared to Lewiston.
Orono scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Orono leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Orono | Lewiston |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 15 min | 21 min |
| Transit Score | 52.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Walkability | 64.0/100 | 58.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 40.00 | 40.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Lewiston is the larger city
— approximately 0.3x the population of Orono.
From a growth perspective, Orono is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Lewiston has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Orono | Lewiston |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 11,250 | 38,484 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.50% | 0.50% |
| Median Age | 21.7 | 38.5 |
| Unemployment | 4.10% | 3.80% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Orono
Advantages
Median property value in Orono is significantly lower than the national average, providing accessible homeownership options per Data USA 2024.
The town boasts an active New England village downtown with robust walkability and local dining per Census Bureau data.
Extensive recreational trail systems and river access offer exceptional outdoor activities year-round.
Proximity to the University of Maine provides rich cultural, athletic, and educational events for residents.
Crime rates remain well below national averages, ensuring a secure environment for families and students.
Drawbacks
The local poverty rate is elevated due to the large concentration of students with low reported individual incomes per Census Bureau profiles.
Severe winter weather with heavy snowfall requires high heating costs and winter maintenance overhead.
Rental inventory can experience tight seasonal demand fluctuations tied to the academic calendar.
Job diversification outside of education and public services is relatively limited locally.
Public transit options beyond regional connections to Bangor are sparse for destinations outside the immediate area.
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.
Orono
#202Maine, USA
63.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,750
Avg Salary
$61,528
Cost Index
95
Commute
15 min
Transit Score
52.0/100
Walkability
64.0/100
Sunny Days
251/yr
Avg Temp
45.70°F
Pop. Growth
1.50%
Unemployment
4.10%
Livability
76
Business
68
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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