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Best suburbs to live in Maine
Cities may have the nightlife, but the convenience and affordability of the suburbs are becoming hot as the millennial generation moves into its homebuying phase. Even before the COVID-19 pandemic shook up workplace norms and superheated the housing market, folks have been flocking away from major urban centers.
In Colorado, for instance, lesser-known suburbs outside of Denver such as Boulder have become magnets for young parents, ranking among the biggest destinations for out-of-state millennials who chose to move in 2023. And companies are taking note of the trend as well: Many are establishing satellite offices and new headquarters in less urban areas.
Stacker compiled a list of the best suburbs to live in Maine using data from Niche's 2024 Best Places to Live. Niche ranks places to live based on an array of factors, including the cost of living, educational level of residents, housing costs, and quality of schools.
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#11. Kennebunk, Maine
- Overall Rank: 2,339
- Population: 11,566
- Median household income: $96,814
- Median home value: $399,000 (76% own)
- Median rent: $1,217 (24% rent)
- Top public schools: Mildred L. Day School (grade A), Sea Road School (grade A), Middle School of the Kennebunks (grade A)
- Top private schools: The New School (grade A minus), Thornton Academy (grade A minus), Briarwood Children's House (grade unavailable)
- Population: 11,566
- Median household income: $96,814
- Median home value: $399,000 (76% own)
- Median rent: $1,217 (24% rent)
- Top public schools: Mildred L. Day School (grade A), Sea Road School (grade A), Middle School of the Kennebunks (grade A)
- Top private schools: The New School (grade A minus), Thornton Academy (grade A minus), Briarwood Children's House (grade unavailable)
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#10. Gorham, Maine
- Overall Rank: 2,276
- Population: 17,999
- Median household income: $103,152
- Median home value: $395,000 (81% own)
- Median rent: $1,295 (19% rent)
- Top public schools: Saco Middle School (grade A minus), Village Elementary School (grade A minus), Great Falls Elementary School (grade A minus)
- Top private schools: Waynflete (grade A+), Cheverus High School (grade A), Greater Portland Christian School (grade B+)
- Population: 17,999
- Median household income: $103,152
- Median home value: $395,000 (81% own)
- Median rent: $1,295 (19% rent)
- Top public schools: Saco Middle School (grade A minus), Village Elementary School (grade A minus), Great Falls Elementary School (grade A minus)
- Top private schools: Waynflete (grade A+), Cheverus High School (grade A), Greater Portland Christian School (grade B+)
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#9. West Bath, Maine
- Overall Rank: 2,122
- Population: 2,181
- Median household income: $93,148
- Median home value: $366,500 (73% own)
- Median rent: $978 (27% rent)
- Top public schools: West Bath School (grade A), Bath Middle School (grade B minus), Morse High School (grade B minus)
- Top private schools: Hyde School (grade A+), Pine Tree Academy (grade A minus), St. John's Catholic School (grade unavailable)
- Population: 2,181
- Median household income: $93,148
- Median home value: $366,500 (73% own)
- Median rent: $978 (27% rent)
- Top public schools: West Bath School (grade A), Bath Middle School (grade B minus), Morse High School (grade B minus)
- Top private schools: Hyde School (grade A+), Pine Tree Academy (grade A minus), St. John's Catholic School (grade unavailable)
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#8. Scarborough, Maine
- Overall Rank: 2,119
- Population: 22,315
- Median household income: $113,289
- Median home value: $460,400 (78% own)
- Median rent: $1,666 (22% rent)
- Top public schools: Wentworth School (grade A), Saco Middle School (grade A minus), Great Falls Elementary School (grade A minus)
- Top private schools: Waynflete (grade A+), North Yarmouth Academy (grade A), Cheverus High School (grade A)
- Population: 22,315
- Median household income: $113,289
- Median home value: $460,400 (78% own)
- Median rent: $1,666 (22% rent)
- Top public schools: Wentworth School (grade A), Saco Middle School (grade A minus), Great Falls Elementary School (grade A minus)
- Top private schools: Waynflete (grade A+), North Yarmouth Academy (grade A), Cheverus High School (grade A)
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#7. Brunswick, Maine
- Overall Rank: 1,631
- Population: 21,691
- Median household income: $71,236
- Median home value: $316,200 (73% own)
- Median rent: $1,231 (27% rent)
- Top public schools: West Bath School (grade A), Acadia Academy School (grade A minus), Brunswick Junior High School (grade A minus)
- Top private schools: Hyde School (grade A+), North Yarmouth Academy (grade A), Pine Tree Academy (grade A minus)
- Population: 21,691
- Median household income: $71,236
- Median home value: $316,200 (73% own)
- Median rent: $1,231 (27% rent)
- Top public schools: West Bath School (grade A), Acadia Academy School (grade A minus), Brunswick Junior High School (grade A minus)
- Top private schools: Hyde School (grade A+), North Yarmouth Academy (grade A), Pine Tree Academy (grade A minus)
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#6. Freeport, Maine
- Overall Rank: 1,463
- Population: 8,700
- Median household income: $95,398
- Median home value: $430,500 (80% own)
- Median rent: $1,548 (20% rent)
- Top public schools: Mast Landing School (grade A), Freeport Middle School (grade A), Durham Community School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Waynflete (grade A+), Hyde School (grade A+), North Yarmouth Academy (grade A)
- Population: 8,700
- Median household income: $95,398
- Median home value: $430,500 (80% own)
- Median rent: $1,548 (20% rent)
- Top public schools: Mast Landing School (grade A), Freeport Middle School (grade A), Durham Community School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Waynflete (grade A+), Hyde School (grade A+), North Yarmouth Academy (grade A)
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#5. Yarmouth, Maine
- Overall Rank: 1,415
- Population: 8,984
- Median household income: $108,063
- Median home value: $539,100 (77% own)
- Median rent: $1,583 (23% rent)
- Top public schools: Frank H. Harrison Middle School (grade A), Yarmouth Elementary School (grade A), Yarmouth High School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Waynflete (grade A+), North Yarmouth Academy (grade A), Cheverus High School (grade A)
- Population: 8,984
- Median household income: $108,063
- Median home value: $539,100 (77% own)
- Median rent: $1,583 (23% rent)
- Top public schools: Frank H. Harrison Middle School (grade A), Yarmouth Elementary School (grade A), Yarmouth High School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Waynflete (grade A+), North Yarmouth Academy (grade A), Cheverus High School (grade A)
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#4. Cumberland, Maine
- Overall Rank: 1,373
- Population: 8,443
- Median household income: $144,167
- Median home value: $496,800 (89% own)
- Median rent: $1,554 (11% rent)
- Top public schools: Greely Middle School (grade A minus), Greely Middle School 4-5 (grade A minus), Fiddlehead School of Arts & Science (grade B+)
- Top private schools: Waynflete (grade A+), North Yarmouth Academy (grade A), Cheverus High School (grade A)
- Population: 8,443
- Median household income: $144,167
- Median home value: $496,800 (89% own)
- Median rent: $1,554 (11% rent)
- Top public schools: Greely Middle School (grade A minus), Greely Middle School 4-5 (grade A minus), Fiddlehead School of Arts & Science (grade B+)
- Top private schools: Waynflete (grade A+), North Yarmouth Academy (grade A), Cheverus High School (grade A)
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#3. Falmouth Foreside, Maine
- Overall Rank: 1,113
- Population: 2,022
- Median household income: $190,476
- Median home value: $617,100 (86% own)
- Median rent: $2,672 (14% rent)
- Top public schools: Falmouth Elementary School (grade A), Falmouth Middle School (grade A), Falmouth High School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Waynflete (grade A+), North Yarmouth Academy (grade A), Cheverus High School (grade A)
- Population: 2,022
- Median household income: $190,476
- Median home value: $617,100 (86% own)
- Median rent: $2,672 (14% rent)
- Top public schools: Falmouth Elementary School (grade A), Falmouth Middle School (grade A), Falmouth High School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Waynflete (grade A+), North Yarmouth Academy (grade A), Cheverus High School (grade A)
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#2. Falmouth, Maine
- Overall Rank: 894
- Population: 12,504
- Median household income: $144,118
- Median home value: $609,500 (86% own)
- Median rent: $1,973 (14% rent)
- Top public schools: Falmouth Elementary School (grade A), Falmouth Middle School (grade A), Falmouth High School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Waynflete (grade A+), North Yarmouth Academy (grade A), Cheverus High School (grade A)
- Population: 12,504
- Median household income: $144,118
- Median home value: $609,500 (86% own)
- Median rent: $1,973 (14% rent)
- Top public schools: Falmouth Elementary School (grade A), Falmouth Middle School (grade A), Falmouth High School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Waynflete (grade A+), North Yarmouth Academy (grade A), Cheverus High School (grade A)
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#1. Cape Elizabeth, Maine
- Overall Rank: 618
- Population: 9,519
- Median household income: $144,250
- Median home value: $600,200 (88% own)
- Median rent: $2,238 (12% rent)
- Top public schools: Cape Elizabeth Middle School (grade A), Pond Cove Elementary School (grade A), Cape Elizabeth High School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Waynflete (grade A+), Cheverus High School (grade A), Greater Portland Christian School (grade B+)
- Population: 9,519
- Median household income: $144,250
- Median home value: $600,200 (88% own)
- Median rent: $2,238 (12% rent)
- Top public schools: Cape Elizabeth Middle School (grade A), Pond Cove Elementary School (grade A), Cape Elizabeth High School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Waynflete (grade A+), Cheverus High School (grade A), Greater Portland Christian School (grade B+)
This story features data reporting and writing by Elena Cox and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 40 states.
