Cost of living in Maine
Updated Updated for 2026 tax law
Prices in Maine are 3.0% below the national average — a Regional Price Parity of 97.0 (U.S. = 100), making it the #26 cheapest of 51 states and DC. Compare Maine with any other state below, including the effect of taxes.
- Texas vs Maine prices
- Same
- Take-home in Maine at $75,000
- $57,833$4,819 / month
- Take-home you'd need in Texas
- $57,837$4,820 / month
- Take-home in Texas at the same $75,000
- $61,593$5,133 / month
- Same salary: change in real take-home
- +6.5%+$3,756 a year in Maine buying power
Equivalent after tax = the gross pay in Texas whose take-home, adjusted for Texas prices, buys what your Maine take-home buys today. Statewide averages — big metros (and rent) vary a lot within a state.
How to compare Maine with another state
- Enter your salary — the calculator starts with Maine as your current state.
- Pick the state you're comparing with (moving to Maine? press ⇄ to swap).
- Read the salary with equal buying power after taxes, and the "same salary" change in your real take-home.
Maine prices by category
| Category | Maine | vs U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| All items | 97.0 | −3.0% |
| Goods | 97.2 | −2.8% |
| Housing (rent) | 78.9 | −21.1% |
| Utilities | 135.2 | +35.2% |
| Other services | 103.2 | +3.2% |
Low housing costs keep Maine affordable: rents run 21% below average. The overall price level fell 0.9% relative to the nation versus 2023 (98.0). Housing covers rent and the rental value of owner-occupied homes; "other services" includes health care, dining out, transportation and education.
Take-home pay in Maine, adjusted for prices
| Salary | Taxes | Take-home | Real take-home | U.S.-average equivalent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $9,592 | $40,408 | $41,636 | $51,520 |
| $75,000 | $17,167 | $57,833 | $59,591 | $77,280 |
| $100,000 | $26,449 | $73,551 | $75,787 | $103,040 |
At $75,000, Maine ranks #32 of 51 for real take-home pay, after both taxes and prices. Full paycheck details: Maine paycheck calculator.
What $75,000 in Maine equals in other states
Prices = price level relative to Maine. "Salary (after tax)" is what you'd need to earn there, single filer, to live like you do on $75,000 in Maine once both prices and state taxes are counted.
| State | Prices | Salary (prices only) | Salary (after tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Hampshire | +7.3% | $80,498 | $75,683 |
| Massachusetts | +9.0% | $81,729 | $83,174 |
| Vermont | +0.9% | $75,702 | $73,884 |
| State | Prices | Salary (prices only) | Salary (after tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arkansas | −10.4% | $67,185 | $64,108 |
| Mississippi | −10.4% | $67,197 | $64,052 |
| Iowa | −9.6% | $67,822 | $64,619 |
| Oklahoma | −9.5% | $67,885 | $65,420 |
| California | +14.1% | $85,564 | $88,542 |
| Hawaii | +13.3% | $84,970 | $88,091 |
| Washington, DC | +13.2% | $84,931 | $86,962 |
| New Jersey | +12.1% | $84,084 | $84,972 |
| Texas | +0.0% | $75,005 | $69,662 |
| Florida | +6.6% | $79,918 | $75,046 |
| New York | +11.2% | $83,401 | $85,116 |
Moving from Maine to a pricier state? The "after taxes too" column folds in state income tax, so a no-tax state can beat a cheaper state with a high income tax. Statewide averages hide large metro differences — check local rents before you move.
Sources: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by State, 2024 (table SARPP, released February 19, 2026, bea.gov). Take-home pay: our 2026 federal, FICA and state income-tax engine, single filer, no pre-tax deductions; local income taxes are not included.
Related tools
Frequently asked questions
Is Maine expensive to live in?
Maine has a price level of 97.0 (U.S. = 100), so living costs are 3.0% below the national average. It ranks #26 of 51 from cheapest to most expensive (BEA 2024).
How much do you need to make to live in Maine?
To match the buying power of a $75,000 salary at national-average prices, you need about $72,788 in Maine before taxes. After Maine taxes, $75,000 takes home $57,833 — worth $59,591 at U.S.-average prices, #32 of 51 states.
How much more expensive is rent in Maine?
Maine's housing price level is 78.9, meaning rents are 21.1% below the national average. Goods are 97.2 and utilities 135.2.
Which neighboring state is cheapest?
Vermont (price level 98.0, +0.9% vs Maine). A $75,000 Maine salary is equivalent to $73,884 there after taxes.
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Estimates for information only — not tax, legal or financial advice.