Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $1,133 in Idaho versus $1,331 in Maine. Overall, Idaho runs roughly 15% cheaper on rent than Maine, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $81,308 in Idaho and $76,174 in Maine — about 6% higher in Idaho. Idaho has a top state income tax rate of 5.30% 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 Idaho
Income Tax (top rate)
5.30%
7.15%
+1.9 pp in Maine
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$1,133
$1,331
+17% in Maine
Median Home Value
$456,000
$452,600
+1% in Idaho
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$81,308
$76,174
+6% in Idaho
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
52.5°F
46.5°F
+6.0°F in Idaho
Idaho vs Maine — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Idaho or Maine?
- Idaho is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $1,133 runs about 15% 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 Idaho 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 $45,000 a year in Idaho versus $53,000 in Maine.
- Which has lower taxes, Idaho or Maine?
- Idaho has a top state income tax rate of 5.30% 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 Idaho/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.