Cost of Living for Maine (2026)
Maine (ME) Key Facts
Cost of Living Index
107
National Average Index
100
Median Household Income
$62,000
Approximate Median Rent (1 B R)
$1,100/month
State Income Tax Rate
7.15%
How This Calculator Works in Maine
This cost of living calculator helps you compare salaries between Maine and other states or cities by adjusting for purchasing power differences. Enter a salary and a target location to see what equivalent income you would need. It uses Maine's cost of living index of 107 relative to the national average of 100 to provide an accurate comparison.
Maine Overview
Maine has a cost of living index of 107, where 100 represents the national average. Portland and coastal Maine drive the state's above-average cost of living, especially in summer. Inland and northern Maine are significantly more affordable. The median household income is $62,000, which has a purchasing power equivalent of approximately $57,944 in an average-cost location.
How Maine Compares
Maine's cost of living index of 107 compares to New Hampshire's 113 and Vermont's 114. Residents in Maine generally need higher incomes to maintain the same standard of living as those in more affordable states. The most affordable states like Mississippi (84) cost roughly 27% less than Maine, while the most expensive like Hawaii (192) cost 79% more.
| State | Top Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| New Hampshire | COL Index: 113 | New Hampshire has a cost of living index of 113 and a median household income of $83,000. It is more expensive than Maine. |
| Vermont | COL Index: 114 | Vermont has a cost of living index of 114 and a median household income of $65,000. It is more expensive than Maine. |
| Massachusetts | COL Index: 135 | Massachusetts has a cost of living index of 135 and a median household income of $89,000. It is more expensive than Maine. |
The national average cost of living index is 100. Maine's index of 107 is above the national average. States like Mississippi (84) and West Virginia (84) have the lowest cost of living, while Hawaii (192) and DC (148) have the highest. Maine's median household income of $62,000 should be evaluated alongside its cost of living to understand real purchasing power.
Tips for Maine Residents
- 1Portland and coastal Maine drive the state's above-average cost of living, especially in summer. Inland and northern Maine are significantly more affordable.
- 2Maine's median household income of $62,000 has a real purchasing power of about $57,944 when adjusted to the national average. Compare this figure, not the raw salary, when evaluating cross-state moves or job offers.
- 3Maine's top state income tax rate of 7.15% further reduces purchasing power beyond what the cost of living index alone shows. Factor in taxes when making state-to-state comparisons.
- 4When comparing job offers between states, adjust salaries by the cost of living index. A $60,000 salary in a state with an index of 90 provides more purchasing power than $70,000 in a state with an index above 105.
- 5Look beyond the state average — costs can vary dramatically within Maine between metro areas, suburbs, and rural communities. Research the specific city or county where you would live.