Cost of Living in Maine
Based on 1 city we track in Maine.
Cost of living in Maine is shaped mostly by rent across the 1 city we track there. A one-bedroom apartment runs around $1,331 a month — 27% higher than the $1,052 median across the 51 states we track.
Median household income across those cities is $76,174, 14% higher than the $67,043 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
$1,331
Median Home Value
$452,600
Median Income
$76,174
Avg Temperature
46.5°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 among the most expensive of the 51 states we track. Its median one-bedroom rent of $1,331 ranks #8 of 51 and is 27% higher than the $1,052 median.
- What is the average rent in Maine?
- Across the 1 city we track in Maine, average rent runs a studio around $1,038, a one-bedroom around $1,331, a two-bedroom around $1,664, a three-bedroom around $1,919 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 $452,600 — 57% higher than the $287,500 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 $1,331 near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $53,000 a year. Median household income across the cities we track in Maine is $76,174.
Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year; NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010; Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes).