Performance
Score Breakdown
Alexandria
Biddeford
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Alexandria is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
53% lower compared to Biddeford.
Housing costs are a major driver: Alexandria's average rent is
56% lower than Biddeford's.
| Metric | Alexandria | Biddeford | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $974 | $2,199 | -56% |
| Groceries | $395 | $426 | -7% |
| Utilities | $226 | $428 | -47% |
| Transport | $120 | $789 | -85% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $252 | -13% |
| Monthly Total | $1,935 | $4,094 | -53% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 122 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Biddeford offers 26% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Biddeford delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Alexandria is estimated at
$38,952 vs $87,960 in Biddeford.
| Metric | Alexandria | Biddeford |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $50,107 | $67,565 |
| Salary Needed | $38,952 | $87,960 |
| Purchasing Power | 54,464 idx | 55,381 idx |
| Household Income | $47,113 | $72,333 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Alexandria | Biddeford |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 73.00% | 71.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Alexandria has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,500 minutes (58 hours) per year compared to Biddeford.
Biddeford scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Biddeford leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Alexandria | Biddeford |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 17 min | 24 min |
| Transit Score | 0.0/10 | 30.0/10 |
| Walkability | 0.0/10 | 45.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | ||
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Alexandria is the larger city
— approximately 1.9x the population of Biddeford.
From a growth perspective, Alexandria is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Biddeford has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Alexandria | Biddeford |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 44,060 | 22,932 |
| Pop. Growth | % | % |
| Median Age | 37.6 | 35.0 |
| Unemployment | 4.30% | 3.00% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Alexandria
Advantages
The overall cost of living in Alexandria is 8% lower than the national average, primarily due to significantly lower housing expenses.
Housing costs are 26% lower than the national average, with a median home price of $175,000 in May 2026.
The average commute time is relatively short at 17.4 minutes, contributing to a better work-life balance.
Alexandria is a regional healthcare hub with at least four major hospitals, and healthcare costs are 11% lower than the national average.
The city's economy is diverse, with a 3.32% job growth rate between 2023 and 2024.
Drawbacks
Alexandria has a very high violent crime rate, 671% above the national average, resulting in an 'F' safety grade.
The city's population is projected to decline by 1.3% annually, indicating a negative growth trend.
Summers are consistently hot, humid, and often described as oppressive.
A significant portion of the population, 27%, lives below the poverty line as of 2024.
The city exhibits high car dependency, with 77.7% of residents driving alone to work.
Biddeford
Advantages
Vibrant downtown with revitalized historic mill buildings and cultural attractions.
Lower unemployment rate (3% in May 2026) compared to the national average.
Strong presence of top industries like Education and Health Care and Social Services providing job opportunities.
Relatively young median age (35.0 years) contributing to a dynamic community.
Access to a full-service hospital, MaineHealth Maine Medical Center Biddeford, within the city.
Drawbacks
Overall cost of living is significantly higher than the national average (22% higher in 2026).
Highest violent crime rate in Maine (313.8 per 100K in 2024) and overall crime rate 26% higher than national average.
Housing costs are notably high, with average apartment rent at $2,199/month in July 2026.
High car dependency due to limited public transportation options.
Long-term care costs, such as assisted living and nursing homes, are considerably higher than national averages.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Alexandria
#134Louisiana, USA
55.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$974
Avg Salary
$50,107
Cost Index
92
Commute
17 min
Transit Score
0.0/10
Walkability
0.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.30%
Livability
50
Business
60
Biddeford
#117Maine, USA
65.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,199
Avg Salary
$67,565
Cost Index
122
Commute
24 min
Transit Score
30.0/10
Walkability
45.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
3.00%
Livability
67
Business
68
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