Retirement Lists

Cost of Living in Ellsworth, Maine

Aerial view of downtown Ellsworth, Maine (pop. 8,399).
Photo by Quintin Soloviev via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0

Ellsworth costs

A Maine service-center budget needs heating, snow, insurance, and regional travel visible

The catalog's 2024 ACS gross-rent anchors are $877 for one bedroom and $1,144 for two bedrooms. Compare those starting points with taxes, utilities, heating, internet, insurance, snow removal, roof and pipe work, vehicle costs, fuel, parking, prescriptions, and the trips required for specialist care.

A home near downtown may reduce errands and winter driving, while a lake or river address may add maintenance, insurance, drainage, and road work. Request the actual lease or property records and recent utility history before deciding whether the monthly plan leaves room for family visits and ordinary activities.

Planning a monthly budget

A local monthly estimate of $2,979 gives you the starting point, with transportation taking the largest share.

Housing
$877
Utilities (in rent)
$225
Food
$603/mo
Transportation
$1,026/mo
Healthcare
$473

Utilities are included in housing so they are not added twice. The separate Utilities row is a reference estimate.

How the total can change

A traveler style stay, a couple household, and long term rent answer different planning questions.

Comfortable Living
$4,208

Good

Cost of Living for Couple
$4,574

Good

Typical 1BR Rent
$877

Excellent

Everyday expenses

Dining, transportation, taxes, and car needs can change how the monthly budget feels.

Dining Out
$237/mo

Good

Need for a Car
Required
Property Taxes
High
Overall Feel
Good
Residents 65+ Below Poverty Level
9.4%
65+ Householder — Renter Occupied
21.6%
65+ Households With High Housing Costs
38.2%
Median Household Income, Householder 65+
$51,708

Could Ellsworth fit your monthly retirement budget?

Compare your monthly budget with a city estimate. Add your expected housing amount when you have a more useful number.

Housing

Enter your expected rent and required housing charges, or leave this blank to use the current renter amount.

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Starting renter estimates

Use these broad monthly estimates as a starting point, then replace them with costs you know.

One person
$2,979 per month
Two people
$4,574 per month

One-person estimate breakdown

Housing
$877
Food
$603
Transportation
$1,026
Healthcare
$473

Taxes, debt, insurance, out-of-pocket care, travel, and one-time moving costs may not be included.

Ellsworth in everyday life

Could Ellsworth work for you?

What may work well

  • The ACS table supplies direct city gross-rent anchors.
  • The hospital, library, harbor, parks, and regional transit provide identifiable household resources.

What to think about

  • Heating, snow, insurance, flood exposure, vehicle use, and care travel can change the total substantially.
  • A lower-cost home outside the center may add driving, fuel, road work, and winter risk.

Price an Ellsworth household

  1. Compare several addresses

    Keep housing, taxes, insurance, utilities, heating, snow, roof, pipes, drainage, internet, repairs, parking, and service distance visible.

  2. Map recurring care

    Price the hospital, primary care, pharmacy, groceries, Downeast Transportation, fuel, and regional referrals.

  3. Reserve for winter and water

    Keep room for snow, heating, pipes, drainage, flood insurance, roof work, power, and a ride after a storm.

Questions retirees ask

Are $877 and $1,144 the full cost of renting in Ellsworth?

No. They are the catalog's 2024 ACS one-bedroom and two-bedroom gross-rent anchors. Add utilities, heating, insurance, snow, transport, prescriptions, care, repairs, and regional travel.

Why do Ellsworth homes have different budgets?

Distance, river or lake exposure, drainage, heating, roof, pipes, snow, insurance, parking, transport, and care vary by address.

Ellsworth affordability depends on the actual home, heating and snow plan, water review, vehicle use, medical route, transportation, and the services used every week.

Sources

The budget value gives a starting point for everyday spending. Housing, healthcare, safety, and climate can change what feels comfortable for a household.

Housing mix, exchange rates, healthcare needs, car ownership, and travel style can move a real monthly budget materially.

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How this city research is made

Retirement Lists uses documented public sources and methods to research, review, and correct city information. Read our Editorial Policy.