Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $854 in Louisiana versus $1,331 in Maine. Overall, Louisiana runs roughly 36% cheaper on rent than Maine, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $49,944 in Louisiana and $76,174 in Maine — about 34% higher in Maine. Louisiana has a top state income tax rate of 3.00% and a 5% 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
5%
5.5%
+0.5 pp in Maine
Income Tax (top rate)
3.00%
7.15%
+4.2 pp in Maine
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$854
$1,331
+56% in Maine
Median Home Value
$224,500
$452,600
+102% in Maine
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$49,944
$76,174
+53% in Maine
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
68.5°F
46.5°F
+22.0°F in Louisiana
Louisiana vs Maine — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Louisiana or Maine?
- Louisiana is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $854 runs about 36% 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 Louisiana 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 $34,000 a year in Louisiana versus $53,000 in Maine.
- Which has lower taxes, Louisiana or Maine?
- Louisiana has a top state income tax rate of 3.00% and a 5% 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 Louisiana/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.