Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $777 in Iowa versus $889 in Maine. Overall, Iowa runs roughly 13% cheaper on rent than Maine, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $64,497 in Iowa and $58,096 in Maine — about 10% higher in Iowa. Iowa has a top state income tax rate of 3.80% and a 6% 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
6%
5.5%
+0.5 pp in Iowa
Income Tax (top rate)
3.80%
7.15%
+3.4 pp in Maine
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$777
$889
+14% in Maine
Median Home Value
$177,100
$214,200
+21% in Maine
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$64,497
$58,096
+10% in Iowa
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
49.3°F
45.8°F
+3.5°F in Iowa
Iowa vs Maine — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Iowa or Maine?
- Iowa is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $777 runs about 13% below Maine's $889, based on the cities we track in each state.
- How much more do you need to earn to live in Iowa 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 $31,000 a year in Iowa versus $36,000 in Maine.
- Which has lower taxes, Iowa or Maine?
- Iowa has a top state income tax rate of 3.80% and a 6% 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 Iowa/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.