Living in Bristol, Maine
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Bristol · Census data 2020–2024
Bristol has 2,917 residents with a median age of 61. The median household income is $100,750 (35% higher than the Maine median), the median home value is $406,400, the median rent is $1,051/month.
Bristol at a glance
- Population
- 2,917
- Median age
- 61State: 44.8
- Median household income
- $100,750State: $74,733
- Median home value
- $406,400State: $296,600
- Median rent
- $1,051/moState: $1,139
- Homeowners
- 88.6%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 52.7%
- Average commute
- 18 min
Is Bristol a good place to live?
Pros: Median household income 35% higher than the Maine median; an average commute of 18 minutes; a poverty rate of 6.4%.
Cons: Home values 37% higher than the state median; unemployment of 7.7%.
The weather is best in June to September.
Cost of living in Bristol
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Bristol the median home value is $406,400, 22% higher than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,051 per month, which is 24.3% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,670 a month in housing costs.
Bristol median household income
The median household income in Bristol is $100,750 and the income per person is $66,154. 6.4% of residents live below the poverty line (Maine: 10.7%).
Housing in Bristol: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 2,466
- Owner-occupied
- 88.6%
- Renter-occupied
- 11.4%
- Vacant
- 43.7%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1968
- Average household size
- 2.09
43.7% of homes are vacant most of the year, a sign that Bristol has many vacation and second homes.
Bristol demographics
- Population
- 2,917
- Median age
- 61
- Under 18
- 13.9%
- 65 and older
- 42.8%
- Households
- 1,388
- Foreign-born
- 2.2%
- Veterans
- 9.2%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Bristol ›
Education in Bristol
52.7% of adults 25 and older in Bristol have a bachelor's degree or higher (Maine: 36.2%), and 20.4% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Bristol
- Unemployment rate
- 7.7%State: 3.8%
- Average commute
- 18 minState: 25 min
- Work from home
- 25%
- Drive alone
- 50.7%
- Public transit
- 0%
- Walk to work
- 2.2%
- Homes with broadband
- 93.7%
Bristol vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bristol | 2,917 | $100,750 | $406,400 | $1,051 |
| South Bristol | 1,069 | $69,211 | $469,200 | $1,347 |
| Bremen | 917 | $100,000 | $425,300 | — |
| Friendship | 1,213 | $75,625 | $275,000 | $1,370 |
| Edgecomb | 1,251 | $108,750 | $348,400 | — |
| Boothbay Harbor | 2,096 | $62,800 | $400,600 | $1,058 |
| Damariscotta | 2,192 | $59,423 | $363,500 | $1,027 |
| Southport | 550 | $89,000 | $495,800 | $1,094 |
| Boothbay | 3,102 | $60,320 | $342,100 | $1,147 |
More for people moving to Bristol
Bristol ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Bristol: FAQ
What is the median household income in Bristol, ME?
The median household income in Bristol is $100,750, 35% higher 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 Bristol?
The median home value in Bristol is $406,400, compared with $296,600 in Maine.
How much is rent in Bristol?
The median gross rent in Bristol is $1,051 per month, about 24.3% of household income.
Is Bristol, ME a good place to live?
Pluses: median household income 35% higher than the Maine median; an average commute of 18 minutes; a poverty rate of 6.4%. Minuses: home values 37% higher than the state median; unemployment of 7.7%.
What is the median age in Bristol?
The median age in Bristol is 61 years (Maine: 44.8).
How long is the commute in Bristol?
The average commute to work in Bristol is 18 minutes; 25% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Bristol?
The unemployment rate in Bristol is 7.7% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Bristol?
52.7% of adults in Bristol 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.
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