There are all types when it comes to being a snob in Maine. You’ve got your Wine Snobs, Book Snobs, and, of course, Clothes Snobs. Then there are the Technology Snobs, Car Snobs, and yes, even City Snobsas in, I’m better than you because I live in (insert snooty city here).
How can we tell which Maine cities are the snobbiest? By measuring snobby things, that’s how.
We used Saturday Night Science to look at things like expensive homes, high incomes, and overly educated populations by city in Maine. These are the criteria you’d argue with a friend over a foodie dinner about who’s snobbier.
After analyzing 20 of the state’s most populous areas over 2,000 people, we came up with this ranking of the ten snobbiest places in the state of Maine.
The Mainer in these places aren’t snobby, they just know they’re better than you.
Don’t freak out.
What’s the snobbiest place in Maine? The snobbiest place in Maine is Portland based on the data. If we had their wealth and lifestyle, we’d probably be a little snobby, too.
The most laid back? That would be Calais.
We’re not so full of ourselves as to make this ranking up from nowhere. So here’s a look at the top ten and more on how we did it. And if you’re curious, Maine is the 16th snobbiest in the United States.
For more Maine reading, check out:
Table Of Contents: Top Ten | Methodology | Summary | Table
The 10 Snobbiest Places In Maine For 2023
/10
% Highly Educated: 56.0%
Median Income: $66,109
Median Home Price: $341,700
More on Portland: Cost Of Living | Crime Report
/10
% Highly Educated: 46.0%
Median Income: $73,899
Median Home Price: $293,700
More on South Portland: Cost Of Living | Crime Report
/10
% Highly Educated: 41.0%
Median Income: $72,700
Median Home Price: $289,800
More on Saco: Cost Of Living | Crime Report
/10
% Highly Educated: 38.0%
Median Income: $71,335
Median Home Price: $253,900
More on Westbrook: Cost Of Living | Crime Report
/10
% Highly Educated: 49.0%
Median Income: $57,250
Median Home Price: $219,700
More on Hallowell: | Crime Report
/10
% Highly Educated: 36.0%
Median Income: $60,838
Median Home Price: $211,800
More on Bath: Cost Of Living | Crime Report
/10
% Highly Educated: 45.0%
Median Income: $55,900
Median Home Price: $199,100
More on Belfast: Cost Of Living | Crime Report
/10
% Highly Educated: 27.0%
Median Income: $58,142
Median Home Price: $278,300
More on Biddeford: Cost Of Living | Crime Report
/10
% Highly Educated: 36.0%
Median Income: $58,029
Median Home Price: $174,200
More on Ellsworth: Cost Of Living | Crime Report
/10
% Highly Educated: 38.0%
Median Income: $49,652
Median Home Price: $162,900
More on Bangor: Cost Of Living | Crime Report
Methodology: How we determined the snobbiest cities in the Pine Tree State
Do you think wed just come up with this list willy-nilly? Not a chance – we only use Saturday Night Science around here.
We gathered up all of the places in Maine with populations of 2,000 people or more. This left us with a total of 20 places. Then, we looked at each place in terms of these snoot-er-iffic criteria (And no, its not a word. English snob.):
- Median home price (Higher is snobbier)
- Median household income (Higher is snobbier)
- Percent of population with a college degree (Higher is snobbier)
Turned out this simple criteria was much better at sniffing out the snobby places then more snobby criteria like:
- Libaries per capita (Higher is snobbier)
- Museums per capita (Higher is snobbier)
- Private schools per capita (Higher is snobbier)
From there, we ranked each of our 20 places in each category with scores from one to 20. We then averaged each places ranking into one overall score, where the lowest score went to the snobbiest place in Maine. So lets all flip a table in honor of Portland (with our pinkies up, of course.)
Before you get upset and ruin your blowout or something drastic here, lets remember that this is all in good fun. Would we live in one of these 10 places if we had the chance? Of course, we would.
And it’s not like your real estate agent would ever point out how snobby the town you’re moving to is. We’re here to keep you grounded, even if you’re wearing a monocle.
There You Have It – Now That You’re On Your High Horse
When it comes to snobbery, these places in Maine are heading ever upward. Residents in these communities are well educated, well paid, and appear to have all the sophisticated culture and entertainment of an Ernst Lubitsch film right at their fingertips.
Not that there’s anything wrong with that.
If you’re also curious enough, here are the most laid back places in Maine, according to science:
- Calais
- Caribou
- Presque Isle
For more Maine reading, check out:
- Best Places To Live In Maine
- Cheapest Places To Live In Maine
- Most Dangerous Cities In Maine
- Richest Cities In Maine
- Safest Places In Maine
- Worst Places To Live In Maine
- Most Expensive Places To Live In Maine
Table: The Snobbiest Cities In Maine For 2023
Rank | City | Population |
---|---|---|
1 | Portland, ME | 68,063 |
2 | South Portland, ME | 26,428 |
3 | Saco, ME | 20,203 |
4 | Westbrook, ME | 20,074 |
5 | Hallowell, ME | 2,542 |
6 | Bath, ME | 8,718 |
7 | Belfast, ME | 6,890 |
8 | Biddeford, ME | 22,331 |
9 | Ellsworth, ME | 8,340 |
10 | Bangor, ME | 31,920 |
11 | Auburn, ME | 23,790 |
12 | Gardiner, ME | 5,944 |
13 | Rockland, ME | 6,977 |
14 | Brewer, ME | 9,606 |
15 | Waterville, ME | 15,872 |
16 | Lewiston, ME | 36,615 |
17 | Augusta, ME | 18,895 |
18 | Presque Isle, ME | 8,859 |
19 | Caribou, ME | 7,448 |
20 | Calais, ME | 3,010 |
York Harbor may have its own ZIP code but it, York Beach, Cape Neddick, and York are but parts of the Town of York.
And higher home prices do not necessarily mean snobby people.
This is the dumbest survey I have ever seen. None of the judgment criteria have anything to do with snobbery. The dictionary defines a snob as a person who imitates, cultivates, or slavishly admires social superiors and is condescending or overbearing to others. It’s a character trait not associated with any of your gauges. Another media embellishment to get ratings and notice!!!!
So what they are saying is if you are successful, educated, and cultured, you are automatically a snob.
It’s only been a year and half, but I’d say the median home price in Cape Elizabeth, Falmouth, and Yarmouth is closer to 500k.