Living in Bethel, Maine
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Bethel · Census data 2020–2024
Bethel has 2,617 residents with a median age of 50.2. The median household income is $58,929 (21% lower than the Maine median), the median home value is $344,900, the median rent is $864/month.
Bethel at a glance
- Population
- 2,617
- Median age
- 50.2State: 44.8
- Median household income
- $58,929State: $74,733
- Median home value
- $344,900State: $296,600
- Median rent
- $864/moState: $1,139
- Homeowners
- 82.9%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 41.3%
- Average commute
- 26 min
Is Bethel a good place to live?
Cons: Median household income 21% lower than the Maine median; home values 16% higher than the state median; an average commute of 26 minutes; unemployment of 5.2%; a poverty rate of 13.9%.
The weather is best in June to September.
Cost of living in Bethel
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Bethel the median home value is $344,900, 4% higher than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $864 per month, which is 13.5% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,610 a month in housing costs.
Bethel median household income
The median household income in Bethel is $58,929 and the income per person is $55,434. 13.9% of residents live below the poverty line (Maine: 10.7%).
Housing in Bethel: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 2,065
- Owner-occupied
- 82.9%
- Renter-occupied
- 17.1%
- Vacant
- 40.7%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1986
- Average household size
- 2.14
40.7% of homes are vacant most of the year, a sign that Bethel has many vacation and second homes.
Bethel demographics
- Population
- 2,617
- Median age
- 50.2
- Under 18
- 15.9%
- 65 and older
- 29.3%
- Households
- 1,224
- Foreign-born
- 0.2%
- Veterans
- 10.5%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Bethel ›
Education in Bethel
41.3% of adults 25 and older in Bethel have a bachelor's degree or higher (Maine: 36.2%), and 19.1% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Bethel
- Unemployment rate
- 5.2%State: 3.8%
- Average commute
- 26 minState: 25 min
- Work from home
- 27.7%
- Drive alone
- 69.1%
- Public transit
- 0%
- Walk to work
- 0.2%
- Homes with broadband
- 94.2%
Bethel vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bethel | 2,617 | $58,929 | $344,900 | $864 |
| Hanover | 276 | $55,417 | $334,500 | — |
| Newry | 177 | $67,000 | $307,700 | $1,125 |
| Greenwood | 781 | $76,146 | $228,700 | $1,263 |
| Woodstock | 1,233 | $63,015 | $219,600 | $963 |
| Gilead | 187 | $42,344 | $235,000 | $993 |
| Rumford | 5,942 | $38,403 | $127,700 | $803 |
| Andover | 679 | $49,922 | $168,300 | — |
| Stoneham | 271 | $63,750 | $226,200 | $1,125 |
More for people moving to Bethel
Bethel ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Bethel: FAQ
What is the median household income in Bethel, ME?
The median household income in Bethel is $58,929, 21% lower than the Maine median of $74,733 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Bethel?
The median home value in Bethel is $344,900, compared with $296,600 in Maine.
How much is rent in Bethel?
The median gross rent in Bethel is $864 per month, about 13.5% of household income.
Is Bethel, ME a good place to live?
Minuses: median household income 21% lower than the Maine median; home values 16% higher than the state median; an average commute of 26 minutes; unemployment of 5.2%; a poverty rate of 13.9%.
What is the median age in Bethel?
The median age in Bethel is 50.2 years (Maine: 44.8).
How long is the commute in Bethel?
The average commute to work in Bethel is 26 minutes; 27.7% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Bethel?
The unemployment rate in Bethel is 5.2% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Bethel?
41.3% of adults in Bethel have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
Last updated: