Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $1,052 in Alaska versus $1,331 in Maine. Overall, Alaska runs roughly 21% cheaper on rent than Maine, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $98,152 in Alaska and $76,174 in Maine — about 22% higher in Alaska. Alaska has no state income tax and no state sales tax; Maine has a top state income tax rate of 7.15% and a 5.5% state sales tax.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
None
5.5%
+5.5 pp in Maine
Income Tax (top rate)
None
7.15%
+7.2 pp in Maine
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$1,052
$1,331
+27% in Maine
Median Home Value
$375,900
$452,600
+20% in Maine
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$98,152
$76,174
+22% in Alaska
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
37.4°F
46.5°F
+9.1°F in Maine
Alaska vs Maine — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Alaska or Maine?
- Alaska is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $1,052 runs about 21% below Maine's $1,331, based on the cities we track in each state.
- How much more do you need to earn to live in Alaska than in Maine?
- To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, based on median rent across tracked cities, you'd want to earn roughly $42,000 a year in Alaska versus $53,000 in Maine.
- Which has lower taxes, Alaska or Maine?
- Alaska has no state income tax and no state sales tax. Maine has a top state income tax rate of 7.15% and a 5.5% state sales tax.
Housing, income, and climate are medians across the 1/1 cities we track in Alaska/Maine — not population-weighted statewide figures. Taxes are exact state-level rates. Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year; NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010; Tax Foundation 2026.