Rows tagged local are specific to Biddeford (Census ACS); state rows are state averages; metro-area rows are inherited from Portland, ME. Home value is ACS owner-reported (not a Zillow sale price).
School score: 4/10 (district Biddeford Public Schools · NCES EDFacts)
Cost of living
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Cost-of-living index (US=100)
104.4
metro-area
#169 of 200 metros
Grocery index (US=100)
98.3
metro-area
#145 of 200 metros
Big Mac price (est.)
$5.94
metro-area
#169 of 200 metros
Median household income
$63,261
local
#2477 of 3,220 cities
Median wage (all occupations)
$35,852
local
#2532 of 3,220 cities
Who lives here
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Median age
43.7 years
metro-area
#183 of 200 metros
Bachelor's degree or higher (25+)
44.6%
metro-area
#17 of 200 metros
Foreign-born residents
5.2%
metro-area
#160 of 200 metros
Homes that are owner-occupied
73.1%
metro-area
#19 of 200 metros
Economy
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Unemployment rate
4.75%
local
#1557 of 3,220 cities
Population growth (5-yr)
+4.8%
local
#1310 of 3,220 cities
Housing — what your money buys
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Median home price
$321,900
local
#1540 of 3,220 cities
Home price ÷ income (affordability)
5.1×
local
#2414 of 3,220 cities
1-yr home appreciation
+1.0%
metro-area
#109 of 200 metros
Price per square foot
$189
local
#1689 of 3,220 cities
Typical home size (implied)
1,700 sqft
Median rent (monthly)
$1,102
local
#673 of 3,220 cities
Homes for sale (inventory)
1,707
Median days on market
8
metro-area
#29 of 200 metros
Taxes
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Total tax burden (est. % of income)
12.4%
state
#159 of 200 metros
Combined sales tax
5.50%
state
#11 of 200 metros
State income tax (top rate)
7.15%
Capital gains tax
7.15%
state
#155 of 200 metros
High earners
No special surtax
Social Security in retirement
Not taxed — does not tax Social Security benefits
Effective property tax rate
1.36%
local
#2218 of 3,220 cities
Median property tax paid
$4,377
local
#1943 of 3,220 cities
Health & childcare
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Life expectancy at birth
79.2 years
metro-area
#32 of 200 metros
Healthcare (annual, single adult)
$8,000
state
#192 of 200 metros
Uninsured (share of residents)
6.9%
metro-area
#61 of 200 metros
Primary care providers per 100k
121
metro-area
#4 of 200 metros
Childcare (annual, infant, center)
$12,000
state
#110 of 200 metros
Vehicles & commute
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Annual registration
$100
state
#83 of 200 metros
Vehicle property tax (annual)
2.40% of value (~$672/yr)
state
#191 of 200 metros
Emissions testing
Not required
Emissions detail
No vehicle emissions testing
DMV & license offices
4
Avg commute to work
23 min
local
#712 of 3,220 cities
Commute by driving alone
69.2%
metro-area
#34 of 200 metros
Solo drivers commuting 30+ min
35.3%
metro-area
#134 of 200 metros
Utilities & fuel
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Electricity
28.4¢/kWh
state
#165 of 200 metros
Avg monthly electric bill
$256
state
#165 of 200 metros
Gasoline
$3.35/gal
state
#111 of 200 metros
Natural gas (avg monthly bill)
$78
state
#139 of 200 metros
Water & sewer (avg monthly bill)
$86
state
#56 of 200 metros
Home internet (avg monthly bill)
$71
state
#12 of 200 metros
Insurance
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Home insurance (annual)
$1,000
state
#4 of 200 metros
Auto insurance (annual)
$1,000
state
#1 of 200 metros
Disaster risk & supplemental insurance
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Main natural hazards
Notable hazards: hurricanes — separate flood/quake/windstorm policies may be needed.
FEMA National Risk Index (0–100, higher = more risk)
75.1 — Relatively Low
metro-area
#13 of 200 metros
Flood insurance (annual, NFIP)
$700
state
#61 of 200 metros
Earthquake insurance (annual)
$100
state
#1 of 200 metros
Climate & air quality
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Air quality (median AQI, lower=cleaner)
39
metro-area
#31 of 200 metros
Cooling degree-days (AC load)
300
metro-area
#2 of 200 metros
Homes with air conditioning (state)
70%
state
#190 of 200 metros
Heating degree-days (heat load)
7,500
metro-area
#195 of 200 metros
Days per year ≥ 90°F
4
metro-area
#16 of 200 metros
Days per year ≥ 100°F
0
metro-area
#5 of 200 metros
Avg summer high (state)
80°F
metro-area
#8 of 200 metros
Avg winter low
10°F
metro-area
#190 of 200 metros
Annual precipitation
43.6"
metro-area
#101 of 200 metros
Annual snowfall
49.2"
metro-area
#175 of 200 metros
Sunshine (% of possible)
48%
metro-area
#186 of 200 metros
Plant hardiness zone
5a
Frost window
05-15 → 10-01
Safety
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Violent crime (per 100k, state avg)
110
state
#1 of 200 metros
Property crime (per 100k, state avg)
1,200
state
#7 of 200 metros
Local amenities & recreation
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Grocery stores
120
metro-area
#5 of 200 metros
Parks
60
Hiking areas
15
Golf courses
15
Shooting ranges
4
Lakes
4
Permits
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Building permit difficulty (1–5)
3
state
#87 of 200 metros
Permit detail
Moderate
US rank = this metro's position among all 200 metros (1 = best: cheapest / safest / highest income, etc.). Childcare is a family cost, not included in the salary-equivalence total.