What are the schools like in Orono, ME?

Orono is served primarily by RSU 26. The district operates 1 elementary schools, 1 middle schools, and 1 high schools with a student-to-teacher ratio of 11.0:1.

What is the median household income in Orono?

The median household income in Orono, ME is $52,718 according to the most recent US Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates. The unemployment rate is 6.7%.

What is the weather like in Orono, ME?

Orono has an average high temperature of 28.0°F in January and 81.1°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 44.4 inches and annual snowfall averages 74.6 inches.

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

Q: Is Orono, ME affordable or expensive?

Orono's cost of living index is 97, where 100 represents the national average. This means Orono is 3% less expensive than the average US city. The median home value is $212,900 and the median rent is $1,044 per month.

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

Orono has a violent crime rate of 47.5 incidents per 100,000 residents and a property crime rate of 102.8 per 100,000. The national average violent crime rate is approximately 380 per 100,000.

Is Orono, ME a Good Place to Live?

Orono is a small city of 10,116 in Maine, with a median household income of $52,718 and a 6.7% unemployment rate. Its cost of living index is 97 (US average = 100), which is 3% below the national average.

Strengths: Orono stands out for below-average home prices, lower-than-average crime, solid school ratings (A+), a well-educated population, short average commutes.

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

All Orono 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: 97.0

Orono's overall cost of living index is 97.0, where 100 represents the US national average. Living in Orono costs roughly 3% less than the average American city.

Metric	Orono, ME	National Avg
Median Home Value	$212,900	$244,900
Median Monthly Rent	$1,044	$1,163
Homeownership Rate	43.1%	65.9%
Median Household Income	$52,718	$74,755

Crime & Safety

Very Safe

Orono's violent crime rate is 47.5 per 100,000 residents — 88% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.

Violent Crime

47.5 /100k

Property Crime

102.8 /100k

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

Schools & Education

Orono is served primarily by RSU 26. The student-to-teacher ratio is 11.0:1 (better than the national average of ~16:1).

Metric	Orono, ME	National Avg
School District	RSU 26	—
Elementary Schools	1	—
Middle Schools	1	—
High Schools	1	—
Student/Teacher Ratio	11.0:1	16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher	70.8%	35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher	97.7%	91.1%

Weather & Climate

Orono sees average highs of 28.0°F in January and 81.1°F in July, with 44.4 inches of annual precipitation and 74.6 inches of snow per year.

Metric	Orono, ME
Average High — January	28.0°F
Average High — July	81.1°F
Annual Precipitation	44.4"
Annual Snowfall	74.6"

Demographics

Metric	Orono, ME	National Avg
Population	10,116	—
Median Age	21.9	38.9
Unemployment Rate	6.7%	3.7%
Avg Commute Time	17.0 min	26 min
White (non-Hispanic)	87.8%	59.3%
Black or African American	2.5%	13.6%
Hispanic or Latino	2.1%	18.9%
Asian	4.4%	6.3%
Under 18	6.7%	22.2%
65 and over	12.1%	16.8%

Nearby Cities

Veazie, ME 2 mi Bradley, ME 4 mi Old Town, ME 6 mi Bangor, ME 6 mi Milford, ME 6 mi

ZIP Codes in Orono

Orono, ME is covered by 2 ZIP codes:

04473 04469

Orono vs Other Cities

Orono, ME vs Veazie, ME Orono, ME vs Bradley, ME Orono, ME vs Old Town, ME Orono, ME vs Bangor, ME Orono, ME vs Milford, ME

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Orono, ME affordable or expensive?

Orono's cost of living index is 97, where 100 is the national average. That makes Orono roughly 3% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage. The median home price is $212,900 and median rent is $1,044/month.

What is the crime rate in Orono, ME?

Orono's violent crime rate is 47.5 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 102.8 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.

What are the schools like in Orono?

Public schools in Orono are operated by RSU 26. The district has 1 elementary, 1 middle, and 1 high schools. The student-to-teacher ratio is 11.0:1. 70.8% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Is Orono, ME a good place to live?

Orono, ME has a population of 10,116, a median household income of $52,718, and an unemployment rate of 6.7%. 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 Orono?

Orono averages 28.0°F in January and 81.1°F in July. Annual rainfall is 44.4 inches with about 74.6 inches of snow per year. Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).

What ZIP codes are in Orono?

Orono, ME is covered by 2 ZIP codes: 04473, 04469.

What is the population of Orono?

The population of Orono, Maine is 10,116 with a median age of 21.9. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What are the pros and cons of living in Orono?

Key numbers for living in Orono: cost of living index 97 (100 = US average), median home $212,900, median household income $52,718, crime index 9 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated A+. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Orono side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.