Madawaska is a small town of 2,726 in Maine, with a median household income of $35,644
and a 11.2% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 90 (US average = 100), which is
10% below the national average.
Strengths:
Madawaska stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices, solid school ratings (B+), short average commutes.
Trade-offs:
Potential downsides include an elevated unemployment rate. Whether Madawaska is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All Madawaska 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: 90.0
Madawaska's overall cost of living index is 90.0,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in Madawaska costs roughly 10% less than the average American city.
Metric
Madawaska, ME
National Avg
Median Home Value
$152,700
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$532
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
55.4%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$35,644
$74,755
Crime & Safety
Very Safe
Madawaska's violent crime rate is 65.6 per 100,000 residents
— 83% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.
Violent Crime
65.6 /100k
Property Crime
642.8 /100k
Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.
Schools & Education
Madawaska is served primarily by Madawaska Public Schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 10.5:1
(better than the national average of ~16:1).
Metric
Madawaska, ME
National Avg
School District
Madawaska Public Schools
—
Elementary Schools
1
—
Middle Schools
N/A
—
High Schools
1
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
10.5:1
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
19.5%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
92.6%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
Madawaska sees average highs of 19.4°F in January
and 75.5°F in July,
with 32.9 inches of annual precipitation
and 99.3 inches of snow per year.
Madawaska's cost of living index is 90, where 100 is the national average.
That makes Madawaska roughly 10% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage.
The median home price is $152,700 and median rent is $532/month.
Madawaska's violent crime rate is 65.6 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 642.8 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Public schools in Madawaska are operated by Madawaska Public Schools.
The district has 1 elementary, several middle, and 1 high schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 10.5:1. 19.5% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Madawaska, ME has a population of 2,726, a median household income of $35,644, and an unemployment rate of 11.2%.
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.
Madawaska averages 19.4°F in January and 75.5°F in July. Annual rainfall is 32.9 inches
with about 99.3 inches of snow per year.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
Madawaska, ME is covered by 1 ZIP code: 04756.
The population of Madawaska, Maine is 2,726 with a median age of 56.5. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in Madawaska: cost of living index 90 (100 = US average), median home $152,700, median household income $35,644, crime index 23 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated B+. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Madawaska side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.
