Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $1,004 in Alabama versus $1,331 in Maine. Overall, Alabama runs roughly 25% cheaper on rent than Maine, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $44,376 in Alabama and $76,174 in Maine — about 42% higher in Maine. Alabama has a top state income tax rate of 5.00% and a 4% 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
4%
5.5%
+1.5 pp in Maine
Income Tax (top rate)
5.00%
7.15%
+2.2 pp in Maine
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$1,004
$1,331
+33% in Maine
Median Home Value
$138,600
$452,600
+227% in Maine
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$44,376
$76,174
+72% in Maine
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
63.3°F
46.5°F
+16.8°F in Alabama
Alabama vs Maine — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Alabama or Maine?
- Alabama is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $1,004 runs about 25% 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 Alabama 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 $40,000 a year in Alabama versus $53,000 in Maine.
- Which has lower taxes, Alabama or Maine?
- Alabama has a top state income tax rate of 5.00% and a 4% 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 Alabama/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.