City profile
Brunswick, ME
Coastal college town (Bowdoin) with train service to Boston and many retirees.
Climate
Climate type
Four seasons
Winter avg
22°F
Summer avg
70°F
Sunny days / yr
200
Home prices & cost of living
Median home price
$450,000
Typical monthly housing
$2,809
Cost of living (100 = U.S.)
108
Taxes
- Property tax
- 1.09%
- State income tax (top)
- 7.15%
- Social Security
- Not taxed
- Pensions
- Partly exempt
- Sales tax (state + avg. local)
- 5.50%
FEMA natural hazard risk
Relatively Low · county score 77/100
Top hazards: Winter weather, Ice storm, Hurricane
Nearest major airport
25 mi to Portland International Jetport (PWM)
Political lean (2024 county vote)
Leans Democratic · 63% Democratic / 34% Republican
Demographics (Census ACS)
Population (2024)
17,652
Growth since 2019
+17.7%
Median age
37.9
Residents 65+
25.2%
Median household income
$70,722
Income growth since 2019
+30.8%
Black household income
—
Home ownership
66.3%
Poverty rate
8.6%
Poverty rate, 65+
11.6%
Race & ethnicity: Black 1.7% · White 88.6% · Hispanic 3.3% · Asian 2.2% · Other 4.2%
Crime (per 100,000 residents, 2025)
Violent crime
48 · 85% below the national average
Property crime
643 · 59% below the national average
Source: FBI Crime Data Explorer, Brunswick Police Department. State average: violent 95, property 961.
2025–2026 trends
2026 market trends
- ▸ME is gaining retirees — a sign of strong retiree services and community
- ▸Home insurance costs are among the lowest in the U.S.
- ▸Home prices are still rising in 2026 — good for long-term value, less room to negotiate
- ▸Climate/cost risks to check: winter storms
Highlights
- Amtrak to Boston
- Bowdoin arts and lectures
- Very safe
Trade-offs
- Small Black community
- Cold winters
Figures are estimates from public sources (see How we match). Verify before making decisions.