What are the schools like in Bethel, ME?

Bethel is served primarily by RSU 44/MSAD 44. The district operates 2 elementary schools, 1 middle schools, and 1 high schools with a student-to-teacher ratio of 10.0:1.

What is the median household income in Bethel?

The median household income in Bethel, ME is $32,321 according to the most recent US Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates. The unemployment rate is 6.5%.

What is the weather like in Bethel, ME?

Bethel has an average high temperature of 27.6°F in January and 79.0°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 50.9 inches and annual snowfall averages 76.1 inches.

Bethel, ME Cost of Living, Crime & Is It a Good Place to Live? (2026)

Q: Is Bethel, ME affordable or expensive?

Bethel's cost of living index is 90, where 100 represents the national average. This means Bethel is 10% less expensive than the average US city. The median home value is $247,500 and the median rent is $377 per month.

Q: What is the crime rate in Bethel, ME?

Bethel has a violent crime rate of 44.8 incidents per 100,000 residents and a property crime rate of 1048.7 per 100,000. The national average violent crime rate is approximately 380 per 100,000.

Is Bethel, ME a Good Place to Live?

Bethel is a small town of 561 in Maine, with a median household income of $32,321 and a 6.5% unemployment rate. Its cost of living index is 90 (US average = 100), which is 10% below the national average.

Strengths: Bethel stands out for an affordable cost of living, solid school ratings (A), a well-educated population, short average commutes.

Trade-offs: Potential downsides include an elevated unemployment rate. Whether Bethel is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.

All Bethel city data on this page comes from official government sources — the US Census Bureau, FBI, NCES, BEA, and NOAA — updated annually.

Cost of Living

Index: 89.6

Bethel's overall cost of living index is 89.6, where 100 represents the US national average. Living in Bethel costs roughly 10% less than the average American city.

Metric	Bethel, ME	National Avg
Median Home Value	$247,500	$244,900
Median Monthly Rent	$377	$1,163
Homeownership Rate	58.8%	65.9%
Median Household Income	$32,321	$74,755

Crime & Safety

Very Safe

Bethel's violent crime rate is 44.8 per 100,000 residents — 88% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.

Violent Crime

44.8 /100k

Property Crime

1048.7 /100k

Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.

Schools & Education

Bethel is served primarily by RSU 44/MSAD 44. The student-to-teacher ratio is 10.0:1 (better than the national average of ~16:1).

Metric	Bethel, ME	National Avg
School District	RSU 44/MSAD 44	—
Elementary Schools	2	—
Middle Schools	1	—
High Schools	1	—
Student/Teacher Ratio	10.0:1	16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher	35.8%	35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher	98.1%	91.1%

Weather & Climate

Bethel sees average highs of 27.6°F in January and 79.0°F in July, with 50.9 inches of annual precipitation and 76.1 inches of snow per year.

Metric	Bethel, ME
Average High — January	27.6°F
Average High — July	79.0°F
Annual Precipitation	50.9"
Annual Snowfall	76.1"

Demographics

Metric	Bethel, ME	National Avg
Population	561	—
Median Age	37.3	38.9
Unemployment Rate	6.5%	3.7%
Avg Commute Time	24.1 min	26 min
White (non-Hispanic)	95.9%	59.3%
Black or African American	0.0%	13.6%
Hispanic or Latino	0.0%	18.9%
Asian	0.0%	6.3%
Under 18	28.3%	22.2%
65 and over	23.7%	16.8%

Nearby Cities

Rumford, ME 15 mi Norway, ME 16 mi Mexico, ME 16 mi South Paris, ME 19 mi Dixfield, ME 19 mi

ZIP Codes in Bethel

Bethel, ME is covered by 1 ZIP code:

04217

Bethel vs Other Cities

Bethel, ME vs Rumford, ME Bethel, ME vs Norway, ME Bethel, ME vs Mexico, ME Bethel, ME vs South Paris, ME Bethel, ME vs Dixfield, ME

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Bethel, ME affordable or expensive?

Bethel's cost of living index is 90, where 100 is the national average. That makes Bethel roughly 10% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage. The median home price is $247,500 and median rent is $377/month.

What is the crime rate in Bethel, ME?

Bethel's violent crime rate is 44.8 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 1048.7 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.

What are the schools like in Bethel?

Public schools in Bethel are operated by RSU 44/MSAD 44. The district has 2 elementary, 1 middle, and 1 high schools. The student-to-teacher ratio is 10.0:1. 35.8% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Is Bethel, ME a good place to live?

Bethel, ME has a population of 561, a median household income of $32,321, and an unemployment rate of 6.5%. It offers below-average costs of living, which stretches take-home pay further than in most American cities. Whether it's right for you depends on your priorities — use the compare tool above to stack it against another city you're considering.

What is the weather like in Bethel?

Bethel averages 27.6°F in January and 79.0°F in July. Annual rainfall is 50.9 inches with about 76.1 inches of snow per year. Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).

What ZIP codes are in Bethel?

Bethel, ME is covered by 1 ZIP code: 04217.

What is the population of Bethel?

The population of Bethel, Maine is 561 with a median age of 37.3. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What are the pros and cons of living in Bethel?

Key numbers for living in Bethel: cost of living index 90 (100 = US average), median home $247,500, median household income $32,321, crime index 27 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated A. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Bethel side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.