Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $870 in Iowa versus $1,331 in Maine. Overall, Iowa runs roughly 35% cheaper on rent than Maine, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $63,966 in Iowa and $76,174 in Maine — about 16% higher in 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.
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
$870
$1,331
+53% in Maine
Median Home Value
$183,700
$452,600
+146% in Maine
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$63,966
$76,174
+19% in Maine
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
50.9°F
46.5°F
+4.4°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 $870 runs about 35% 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 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 $35,000 a year in Iowa versus $53,000 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 1/1 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.