Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $1,024 in Delaware versus $1,331 in Maine. Overall, Delaware runs roughly 23% cheaper on rent than Maine, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $55,269 in Delaware and $76,174 in Maine — about 27% higher 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
$1,024
$1,331
+30% in Maine
Median Home Value
$224,500
$452,600
+102% in Maine
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$55,269
$76,174
+38% in Maine
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
54.9°F
46.5°F
+8.4°F in Delaware
Delaware vs Maine — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Delaware or Maine?
- Delaware is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $1,024 runs about 23% 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 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 $41,000 a year in Delaware versus $53,000 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 1/1 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.