Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $1,331 in Maine versus $1,126 in Minnesota. Overall, Minnesota runs roughly 15% cheaper on rent than Maine, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $76,174 in Maine and $80,269 in Minnesota — about 5% higher in Minnesota. Maine has a top state income tax rate of 7.15% and a 5.5% state sales tax; Minnesota has a top state income tax rate of 9.85% and a 6.875% state sales tax.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
5.5%
6.875%
+1.4 pp in Minnesota
Income Tax (top rate)
7.15%
9.85%
+2.7 pp in Minnesota
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$1,331
$1,126
+15% in Maine
Median Home Value
$452,600
$287,500
+36% in Maine
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$76,174
$80,269
+5% in Minnesota
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
46.5°F
47.1°F
+0.6°F in Minnesota
Maine vs Minnesota — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Maine or Minnesota?
- Minnesota is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $1,126 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 Maine than in Minnesota?
- To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, based on median rent across tracked cities, you'd want to earn roughly $53,000 a year in Maine versus $45,000 in Minnesota.
- Which has lower taxes, Maine or Minnesota?
- Maine has a top state income tax rate of 7.15% and a 5.5% state sales tax. Minnesota has a top state income tax rate of 9.85% and a 6.875% state sales tax.
Housing, income, and climate are medians across the 1/3 cities we track in Maine/Minnesota — 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.