Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $1,331 in Maine versus $1,275 in Vermont. Overall, Vermont runs roughly 4% cheaper on rent than Maine, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $76,174 in Maine and $68,854 in Vermont — about 10% higher in Maine. Maine has a top state income tax rate of 7.15% and a 5.5% state sales tax; Vermont has a top state income tax rate of 8.75% and a 6% state sales tax.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
5.5%
6%
+0.5 pp in Vermont
Income Tax (top rate)
7.15%
8.75%
+1.6 pp in Vermont
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$1,331
$1,275
+4% in Maine
Median Home Value
$452,600
$400,200
+12% in Maine
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$76,174
$68,854
+10% in Maine
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
46.5°F
46.0°F
+0.5°F in Maine
Maine vs Vermont — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Maine or Vermont?
- Vermont is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $1,275 runs about 4% 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 Vermont?
- 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 $51,000 in Vermont.
- Which has lower taxes, Maine or Vermont?
- Maine has a top state income tax rate of 7.15% and a 5.5% state sales tax. Vermont has a top state income tax rate of 8.75% and a 6% state sales tax.
Housing, income, and climate are medians across the 1/1 cities we track in Maine/Vermont — 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.