Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $889 in Maine versus $1,166 in Utah. Overall, Maine runs roughly 24% cheaper on rent than Utah, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $58,096 in Maine and $74,925 in Utah — about 22% higher in Utah. Maine has a top state income tax rate of 7.15% and a 5.5% state sales tax; Utah has a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 6.1% state sales tax.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
5.5%
6.1%
+0.6 pp in Utah
Income Tax (top rate)
7.15%
4.50%
+2.7 pp in Maine
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$889
$1,166
+31% in Utah
Median Home Value
$214,200
$437,100
+104% in Utah
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$58,096
$74,925
+29% in Utah
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
45.8°F
52.8°F
+7.0°F in Utah
Maine vs Utah — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Maine or Utah?
- Maine is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $889 runs about 24% below Utah's $1,166, based on the cities we track in each state.
- How much more do you need to earn to live in Maine than in Utah?
- 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 $47,000 in Utah.
- Which has lower taxes, Maine or Utah?
- Maine has a top state income tax rate of 7.15% and a 5.5% state sales tax. Utah has a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 6.1% state sales tax.
Housing, income, and climate are medians across the 3/3 cities we track in Maine/Utah — 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.