Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $889 in Maine versus $817 in Ohio. Overall, Ohio runs roughly 8% cheaper on rent than Maine, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $58,096 in Maine and $51,707 in Ohio — about 11% higher in Maine. Maine has a top state income tax rate of 7.15% and a 5.5% state sales tax; Ohio has a top state income tax rate of 2.75% and a 5.75% state sales tax.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
5.5%
5.75%
+0.3 pp in Ohio
Income Tax (top rate)
7.15%
2.75%
+4.4 pp in Maine
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$889
$817
+8% in Maine
Median Home Value
$214,200
$215,300
+1% in Ohio
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$58,096
$51,707
+11% in Maine
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
45.8°F
52.7°F
+6.9°F in Ohio
Maine vs Ohio — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Maine or Ohio?
- Ohio is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $817 runs about 8% below Maine's $889, based on the cities we track in each state.
- How much more do you need to earn to live in Maine than in Ohio?
- 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 $33,000 in Ohio.
- Which has lower taxes, Maine or Ohio?
- Maine has a top state income tax rate of 7.15% and a 5.5% state sales tax. Ohio has a top state income tax rate of 2.75% and a 5.75% state sales tax.
Housing, income, and climate are medians across the 3/3 cities we track in Maine/Ohio — 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.