Southwest Harbor is a small town of 526 in Maine, with a median household income of $30,625
and a 20.6% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 97 (US average = 100), which is
3% below the national average.
Strengths:
Southwest Harbor stands out for solid school ratings (A), short average commutes.
Trade-offs:
Potential downsides include high home prices, an elevated unemployment rate. Whether Southwest Harbor is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All Southwest Harbor 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: 97.3
Southwest Harbor's overall cost of living index is 97.3,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in Southwest Harbor costs roughly 3% less than the average American city.
Metric
Southwest Harbor, ME
National Avg
Median Home Value
$436,200
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$694
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
19.9%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$30,625
$74,755
Crime & Safety
Very Safe
Southwest Harbor's violent crime rate is 67.3 per 100,000 residents
— 82% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.
Violent Crime
67.3 /100k
Property Crime
720.2 /100k
Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.
Schools & Education
Southwest Harbor is served primarily by Southwest Harbor Public Schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 5.5:1
(better than the national average of ~16:1).
Metric
Southwest Harbor, ME
National Avg
School District
Southwest Harbor Public Schools
—
Elementary Schools
1
—
Middle Schools
N/A
—
High Schools
N/A
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
5.5:1
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
29.9%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
99.0%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
Southwest Harbor sees average highs of 32.5°F in January
and 79.3°F in July,
with 55.5 inches of annual precipitation
and 71.5 inches of snow per year.
Southwest Harbor's cost of living index is 97, where 100 is the national average.
That makes Southwest Harbor roughly 3% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage.
The median home price is $436,200 and median rent is $694/month.
Southwest Harbor's violent crime rate is 67.3 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 720.2 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Public schools in Southwest Harbor are operated by Southwest Harbor Public Schools.
The district has 1 elementary, several middle, and several high schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 5.5:1. 29.9% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Southwest Harbor, ME has a population of 526, a median household income of $30,625, and an unemployment rate of 20.6%.
Whether it's right for you depends on your priorities — use the compare tool above to stack it against another city you're considering.
Southwest Harbor averages 32.5°F in January and 79.3°F in July. Annual rainfall is 55.5 inches
with about 71.5 inches of snow per year.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
Southwest Harbor, ME is covered by 1 ZIP code: 04679.
The population of Southwest Harbor, Maine is 526 with a median age of 48.7. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in Southwest Harbor: cost of living index 97 (100 = US average), median home $436,200, median household income $30,625, crime index 24 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated A. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Southwest Harbor side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.
