Cost of Living in Maine
Based on 3 cities we track in Maine.
Cost of living in Maine is shaped mostly by rent across the 3 cities we track there. A one-bedroom apartment runs around $889 a month — 17% lower than the $1,076 median across the 51 states we track.
Median household income across those cities is $58,096, 12% lower than the $66,029 median across the states we track. Maine has a top state income tax rate of 7.15% and a 5.5% state sales tax.
State Medians
Median 1BR Rent
$889
Median Home Value
$214,200
Median Income
$58,096
Avg Temperature
45.8°F
Medians across the Maine cities we track — not a statewide population-weighted figure.
State Taxes
State Sales Tax
5.5%
State Income Tax (top rate)
Up to 7.15%
Cities in Maine
Compare Maine with
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Maine cost of living — FAQ
- Is Maine expensive to live in?
- Maine is around the middle of the 51 states we track. Its median one-bedroom rent of $889 ranks #34 of 51 and is 17% lower than the $1,076 median.
- What is the average rent in Maine?
- Across the 3 cities we track in Maine, average rent runs a studio around $800, a one-bedroom around $889, a two-bedroom around $1,136, a three-bedroom around $1,224 per month (US Census ACS).
- What is the median home price in Maine?
- The median home value across the cities we track in Maine is $214,200 — 21% lower than the $270,100 median across the states we track.
- Does Maine have a state income tax?
- Yes — Maine's top state income tax rate is 7.15% (most filers pay less than the top rate). Its state sales tax rate is 5.5%; local jurisdictions may add more.
- How much do you need to earn to live in Maine?
- To keep a one-bedroom rent of $889 near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $36,000 a year. Median household income across the cities we track in Maine is $58,096.
Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year; NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010; Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes).