Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $1,331 in Maine versus $1,206 in Nevada. Overall, Nevada runs roughly 9% cheaper on rent than Maine, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $76,174 in Maine and $78,448 in Nevada — about 3% higher in Nevada. Maine has a top state income tax rate of 7.15% and a 5.5% state sales tax; Nevada has no state income tax and a 6.85% state sales tax.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
5.5%
6.85%
+1.3 pp in Nevada
Income Tax (top rate)
7.15%
None
+7.2 pp in Maine
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$1,331
$1,206
+9% in Maine
Median Home Value
$452,600
$465,000
+3% in Nevada
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$76,174
$78,448
+3% in Nevada
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
46.5°F
68.4°F
+21.9°F in Nevada
Maine vs Nevada — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Maine or Nevada?
- Nevada is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $1,206 runs about 9% 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 Nevada?
- 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 $48,000 in Nevada.
- Which has lower taxes, Maine or Nevada?
- Maine has a top state income tax rate of 7.15% and a 5.5% state sales tax. Nevada has no state income tax and a 6.85% state sales tax.
Housing, income, and climate are medians across the 1/3 cities we track in Maine/Nevada — 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.