Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $782 in Indiana versus $1,331 in Maine. Overall, Indiana runs roughly 41% cheaper on rent than Maine, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $60,293 in Indiana and $76,174 in Maine — about 21% higher in Maine. Indiana has a top state income tax rate of 2.95% and a 7% 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
7%
5.5%
+1.5 pp in Indiana
Income Tax (top rate)
2.95%
7.15%
+4.2 pp in Maine
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$782
$1,331
+70% in Maine
Median Home Value
$169,700
$452,600
+167% in Maine
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$60,293
$76,174
+26% in Maine
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
53.2°F
46.5°F
+6.7°F in Indiana
Indiana vs Maine — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Indiana or Maine?
- Indiana is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $782 runs about 41% 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 Indiana 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 Indiana versus $53,000 in Maine.
- Which has lower taxes, Indiana or Maine?
- Indiana has a top state income tax rate of 2.95% and a 7% 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 3/1 cities we track in Indiana/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.