View of Market Square, South Paris, ME · Unknown photographer / Public domainDeering Memorial Church, South Paris, ME · Unknown authorUnknown author / Public domainPleasant Street, South Paris, ME · Unknown photographer / Public domainRailroad Station, South Paris, ME · Unknown photographer / Public domain
South Paris is a small town of 2,208 in Maine, with a median household income of $42,321
and a 2.8% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 91 (US average = 100), which is
9% below the national average.
Strengths:
South Paris stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices, solid school ratings (B-), short average commutes.
Trade-offs:
No major red flags stand out in the available data. Whether South Paris is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All South Paris 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: 90.7
South Paris's overall cost of living index is 90.7,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in South Paris costs roughly 9% less than the average American city.
Metric
South Paris, ME
National Avg
Median Home Value
$167,200
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$549
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
57.4%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$42,321
$74,755
Crime & Safety
Very Safe
South Paris'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
South Paris is served primarily by RSU 17/MSAD 17.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 12.7:1
(better than the national average of ~16:1).
Metric
South Paris, ME
National Avg
School District
RSU 17/MSAD 17
—
Elementary Schools
7
—
Middle Schools
1
—
High Schools
1
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
12.7:1
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
14.2%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
98.2%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
South Paris sees average highs of 28.2°F in January
and 78.7°F in July,
with 44.2 inches of annual precipitation
and 76.1 inches of snow per year.
South Paris's cost of living index is 91, where 100 is the national average.
That makes South Paris roughly 9% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage.
The median home price is $167,200 and median rent is $549/month.
South Paris'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.
Public schools in South Paris are operated by RSU 17/MSAD 17.
The district has 7 elementary, 1 middle, and 1 high schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 12.7:1. 14.2% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
South Paris, ME has a population of 2,208, a median household income of $42,321, and an unemployment rate of 2.8%.
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.
South Paris averages 28.2°F in January and 78.7°F in July. Annual rainfall is 44.2 inches
with about 76.1 inches of snow per year.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
South Paris, ME is covered by 1 ZIP code: 04281.
The population of South Paris, Maine is 2,208 with a median age of 39.5. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in South Paris: cost of living index 91 (100 = US average), median home $167,200, median household income $42,321, crime index 27 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated B-. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare South Paris side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.
