Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $1,047 in Delaware versus $889 in Maine. Overall, Maine runs roughly 15% cheaper on rent than Delaware, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $58,336 in Delaware and $58,096 in Maine. Delaware has a top state income tax rate of 6.60% 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)
6.60%
7.15%
+0.6 pp in Maine
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$1,047
$889
+15% in Delaware
Median Home Value
$248,500
$214,200
+14% in Delaware
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$58,336
$58,096
+0% in Delaware
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
54.9°F
45.8°F
+9.1°F in Delaware
Delaware vs Maine — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Delaware or Maine?
- Maine is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $889 runs about 15% below Delaware's $1,047, based on the cities we track in each state.
- How much more do you need to earn to live in Delaware 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 Delaware versus $36,000 in Maine.
- Which has lower taxes, Delaware or Maine?
- Delaware has a top state income tax rate of 6.60% 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 3/3 cities we track in Delaware/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.