Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $889 in Maine versus $953 in Montana. Overall, Maine runs roughly 7% cheaper on rent than Montana, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $58,096 in Maine and $71,855 in Montana — about 19% higher in Montana. Maine has a top state income tax rate of 7.15% and a 5.5% state sales tax; Montana has a top state income tax rate of 5.65% and no state sales tax.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
5.5%
None
+5.5 pp in Maine
Income Tax (top rate)
7.15%
5.65%
+1.5 pp in Maine
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$889
$953
+7% in Montana
Median Home Value
$214,200
$427,400
+100% in Montana
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$58,096
$71,855
+24% in Montana
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
45.8°F
45.9°F
+0.1°F in Montana
Maine vs Montana — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Maine or Montana?
- Maine is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $889 runs about 7% below Montana's $953, based on the cities we track in each state.
- How much more do you need to earn to live in Maine than in Montana?
- To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, based on median rent across tracked cities, you'd want to earn roughly $36,000 a year in Maine versus $38,000 in Montana.
- Which has lower taxes, Maine or Montana?
- Maine has a top state income tax rate of 7.15% and a 5.5% state sales tax. Montana has a top state income tax rate of 5.65% and no state sales tax.
Housing, income, and climate are medians across the 3/3 cities we track in Maine/Montana — 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.