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Quality of Life in Ellsworth, ME
A high quality of life with strong walkability, manageable living costs, healthy neighborhood signals, and solid amenity access.
What does Quality of Life tell us?
Quality of Life blends cost of living, nearby amenities, socioeconomic signals, and neighborhood character. City-level scores represent the whole municipality; individual neighborhoods can differ.
What does this tell us?
Quality of Life blends cost of living, nearby amenities, socioeconomic signals, and neighborhood character. City-level scores represent the whole municipality; individual neighborhoods can differ.
Cost of Living
20% below national average
The Real Cost of Living in Ellsworth, ME for 2026
| Tier | Individual | Family (4) |
|---|---|---|
| Survival | $15k | $29k |
| Comfortable | $42k | $61k |
| Luxury | $97k+ | $150k+ |
| Elite (Top 5%) | $114k+ | $177k+ |
116%
The Area Signal
A metric tracking the socioeconomic signals of the area.
Hobbies
Explore the areaGroceries
3 within 10 miles
Gas
9 within 10 miles
Hospital
4 within 20 miles
Airport
PDX — Portland International Jetport
Post Office
USPS — Ellsworth, ME
Critical Amenities
Quality-of-Life Analysis
Ellsworth, Maine, offers a quality of life defined by its position as a modestly affluent, family-oriented hub in Hancock County, where the cost of living sits well below the national average. With a cost-of-living index of 80 (20% below the U.S. average), the city attracts a mix of young professionals, retirees, and outdoor enthusiasts seeking a slower pace without sacrificing access to essential services. The median household income hovers around $55,000, supporting a stable, middle-class demographic that values proximity to Acadia National Park and the working waterfront of Bar Harbor, just 20 minutes southeast.
How housing costs and affordability compare to Bangor and Bar Harbor
Ellsworth’s housing market is a standout for affordability in coastal Maine. The median home value is $214,500, roughly half the median in Bar Harbor ($420,000) and significantly lower than the $280,000 median in Bangor, the region’s largest city. Median rent sits at $955, making it one of the most budget-friendly rental markets in Hancock County. For context, a two-bedroom apartment in Bar Harbor often exceeds $1,400. The average commute of 22.6 minutes is manageable, with most residents driving to jobs in Ellsworth itself, Bangor (35 minutes west), or seasonal hospitality roles on Mount Desert Island. Property taxes in Ellsworth are moderate—around 1.2% of assessed value—and utility costs are slightly below state averages, further easing the financial burden for homeowners.
What daily life is like for families: schools, amenities, and local rhythm
Daily life in Ellsworth revolves around a compact downtown with a walkable Main Street, anchored by the Ellsworth Public Library and the Grand Auditorium, a historic performing arts venue. The city is served by the Ellsworth School Department, which includes Ellsworth Elementary-Middle School and Ellsworth High School (enrollment ~500), both rated above average by the Maine Department of Education for student-teacher ratios and college readiness. For groceries and errands, residents rely on Hannaford and Walmart Supercenter, while specialty shops like the Maine Grilling Company and local farm stands provide seasonal variety. Healthcare is accessible via Northern Light Maine Coast Hospital, a 25-bed critical access facility with a 24-hour emergency department. The area’s outdoor rhythm is defined by the Union River, which runs through town and offers kayaking and fishing, while the Downeast Heritage Trail provides a paved multi-use path for biking and walking. Ellsworth lacks a major university or nightlife scene, but its proximity to Acadia National Park (30 minutes) and the Schoodic Peninsula (45 minutes) means residents can hike, bike, or paddle on weekends without the crowds of Bar Harbor.
Ellsworth is best suited for families, remote workers, and retirees who prioritize affordability, outdoor access, and a quiet, community-oriented lifestyle over urban amenities. The city’s low crime rate (violent crime is roughly half the national average) and strong public schools make it a practical choice for raising children, while the cost-of-living advantage appeals to those on fixed incomes or seeking a second home. However, those who thrive here are comfortable with limited dining and entertainment options—the nearest major shopping mall is in Bangor—and are willing to drive 30–45 minutes for specialized healthcare or cultural events. For anyone seeking a balanced, low-stress life within reach of Maine’s most iconic natural landscapes, Ellsworth delivers a compelling, affordable base.
Crime in Ellsworth, ME
Lower crime rates than 87% of comparable U.S. locations.
Violent CrimeViolent Crime Analysis
Property CrimeProperty Crime Analysis
Crime Analysis
Ellsworth, Maine, presents a mixed safety profile: its violent crime rate of 67.2 incidents per 100,000 residents is dramatically lower than both state and national averages, yet its property crime rate of 2,397.2 per 100,000 is notably higher than the Maine state average. This contrast means the city is generally safe from violent offenses but requires residents to be vigilant about theft, burglary, and vandalism. The overall picture is one of a small, rural city where property crime is the primary public safety concern, while serious violent incidents remain rare.
Crime in context
To understand Ellsworth's safety, it helps to compare its numbers. The city's violent crime rate of 67.2 per 100,000 is roughly one-fifth the national average and well below the Maine state average of around 110 per 100,000. This places Ellsworth among the safer communities in the state for violent offenses like assault, robbery, and homicide. However, the property crime rate of 2,397.2 per 100,000 is significantly above the Maine state average (approximately 1,500 per 100,000) and approaches the national average. This elevated property crime rate is the key factor that keeps Ellsworth from being considered a uniformly low-crime area. The data suggests that while a resident is unlikely to be a victim of a violent crime, they face a higher-than-average risk of property loss.
What residents experience
In daily life, Ellsworth residents are most likely to encounter property-related offenses. The high property crime rate is often driven by thefts from vehicles, shoplifting (the city is a regional retail hub with the Hancock County Superior Court and the Ellsworth Shopping Center), and burglaries of unoccupied homes or seasonal properties. The city's role as a gateway to Acadia National Park and Bar Harbor means a significant seasonal influx of visitors, which can correlate with increased opportunities for property crime. Violent crime is infrequent and typically isolated to incidents between known individuals rather than random attacks on strangers. The Ellsworth Police Department maintains a visible presence, and community policing efforts are active, but the sheer volume of transient traffic and retail activity creates persistent challenges for property crime prevention.
Neighborhood-level variation
Safety in Ellsworth is not uniform across the city. The downtown core and areas along High Street and the Route 1 corridor, which contain most of the city's retail, restaurants, and hotels, see the highest concentration of property crime, particularly shoplifting and vehicle break-ins. Residential neighborhoods further from the commercial strips, such as those near the Ellsworth Public Library or the wooded areas off Bangor Road, tend to experience far fewer incidents. The outlying, more rural parts of the city and the surrounding town of Trenton report lower crime rates overall. For prospective residents, choosing a home away from the main commercial arteries and ensuring good lighting and security measures are practical steps to mitigate the elevated property crime risk.
* Values derived from national, state, county, city and local statistics and may differ in a specific area. Last updated: 2026-05-01T04:57:29.000Z
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