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Retirement community in Bar Harbor, Maine

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Bar Harbor, Maine Retirement Guide

64

Retirement Score

Bar Harbor, Maine at a Glance

Median Home Price
$469,300
State Income Tax
State income tax; Social Security partially exempt; pension deduction available.
Avg January Low
19.2°F
Cost of Living Index
100.7 (US avg = 100)
RetireCityIQ Score
64 / 100

Overview

Explore the key retirement factors for Bar Harbor, Maine, including cost of living, taxes, healthcare quality, and climate data.

Cost of Living

Affordability Metrics

Cost of Living Index
100.7 (U.S. avg = 100)Low confidence
BEA Regional Price Parities · Updated May 2026
Median Household Income
$46,917High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026

Bar Harbor's cost of living is 0.7000000000000028% above the national average. For a detailed breakdown of expenses, see our cost of living methodology.

Housing

Real Estate & Housing

Median Home Price
$469,300High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026
Median Monthly Rent
$925High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026
Owner-Occupied Housing
43.8%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026

10-Year Housing Stress Test (Estimate)

Estimate monthly homeowner carrying cost in Bar Harbor using median home price and adjustable assumptions. Stress case applies +10% property tax, +20% insurance, +10% maintenance.

Estimated monthly carrying cost

$1,017

Stress-case monthly carrying cost

$1,142

Median home price used: $469,300

Median rent reference: $925 / month

Estimate includes property tax, insurance, maintenance reserve, and HOA. It excludes mortgage, utilities, and one-time transaction costs.

Budget validation

Calculate if your savings last in this city

Use RetireFree to test whether your portfolio can support retirement in Bar Harbor, Maine after local housing costs, taxes, healthcare, inflation, and withdrawal timing.

Open the RetireFree Calculator →

Healthcare

Access & Quality

Healthcare Access Score
100 / 100High confidence
CMS Hospital General Information · Updated October 2026
Care Access (Proxy)
100 / 100Estimated
RetireCityIQ proxy model · Updated June 2026
Aging-in-Place Score
85 / 100Estimated
RetireCityIQ proxy model · Updated June 2026

Quality of care and specialist availability are critical for a successful retirement. Bar Harbor scores 100 out of 100 for healthcare access.

Care planning link

Find local assisted living in Bar Harbor

If your city research includes aging parents, future care needs, or a move closer to family, compare local care options alongside housing and healthcare access.

Assisted living in Bar Harbor →

Taxes

State Tax Climate

Retirement Tax Score
30 / 100High confidence
Tax Foundation · Updated October 2026
Tax Details
State income tax; Social Security partially exempt; pension deduction available.High confidence
Tax Foundation · Updated October 2026

Maine has a tax environment that is moderate for retirees.

Climate

Weather & Environment

Avg July High
76.9°FHigh confidence
Open-Meteo Historical Weather (ERA5) · Updated October 2026
Avg January Low
19.2°FHigh confidence
Open-Meteo Historical Weather (ERA5) · Updated October 2026
Annual Precipitation
59"High confidence
Open-Meteo Historical Weather (ERA5) · Updated October 2026
Sunny Days / Year
250 daysHigh confidence
Open-Meteo Historical Weather (ERA5) · Updated October 2026

With 250 sunny days a year and an average January low of 19.2°F, Bar Harbor offers a traditional winter climate.

Safety & Walkability

Community Safety

Safety Score
100 / 100Low confidence
FBI Crime Data Explorer · Updated June 2026

Walkability

Walk Score (proxy)
100 / 100Low confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year (B08301) · Updated June 2026
Transit Score (proxy)
0 / 100Low confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year (B08301) · Updated June 2026

Demographics

Population Profile

Population
2,154High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026
Median Age
39.2High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026
Age 65+
19.2%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026
Veterans
4.1%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026
Bachelor's Degree+
45.5%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026

Diversity Breakdown

White
85.8%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026
Black
8.4%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026
Hispanic/Latino
1.0%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026
Asian
2.1%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026

Frequently asked questions about retiring in Bar Harbor

What is the cost of living in Bar Harbor, Maine for retirees?▾

The cost-of-living index is 101, roughly 1% above the national average of 100. Median home price is around $469,300.

Does Maine tax Social Security or retirement income?▾

For Maine residents: State income tax; Social Security partially exempt; pension deduction available.

What is the climate like in Bar Harbor, Maine?▾

Bar Harbor, Maine has January average low around 19°F, July average high around 77°F. Climate normals are based on 30-year averages from NOAA's National Centers for Environmental Information.

What is healthcare access like in Bar Harbor, Maine?▾

Bar Harbor scores 100/100 on the RetireCityIQ healthcare access index — a top-tier score. The index combines CMS hospital quality ratings, Medicare Advantage plan availability, and hospitals per 100,000 residents (KFF + CMS data).

Local Professionals

Financial Advisors

COSTON, MCISAAC & SHEA FINANCIAL ADVISORS

COSTON, MCISAAC, AND PARTNERS INC.

Financial Advisor

Interested in Bar Harbor? Talk to a Local Expert.

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