Compare states / Maine / to New Hampshire
ME → NH
Moving from Maine to New Hampshire
Taxes, housing, and other important data at a glance
Maine vs New Hampshire using the same fields as the all-states table. Green and red mark the destination figure when it differs.
| Maine | New Hampshire | |
|---|---|---|
| Top state income-tax rate | 7.15% | 0.0% |
| Average sales tax (state + local) | 5.50% | 0.00% |
| Average property tax (real estate) | 1.24% | 1.93% |
| Personal property tax (vehicles) | Yes — 2.40% effective | Yes — 1.80% effective |
| Median home value | $415,853 | $516,457 |
| Tax when you title a car | 5.50% | 0.00% |
| State parks | 48 | 93 |
| National parks | 1 | 0 |
| Population density | 46.0/sq mi | 159.0/sq mi |
| Violent crime per 100,000 | 100.1 | 110.1 |
| Demographics | 91.8% White (non-Hispanic) 2.1% Hispanic 1.7% Black 1.3% Asian | 88.5% White (non-Hispanic) 4.4% Hispanic 1.6% Black 2.9% Asian |
| Days to get a license | 30 | 60 |
| Days to title a car | 30 | 60 |
Will my state income tax go up or down if I move from Maine to New Hampshire?
Maine: Top listed rate 7.15%. New Hampshire: No tax on wages (interest/dividends being phased out). At $120,000 yearly income and 0 dependents, the bracket sketch is $8,060 in Maine vs $0 in New Hampshire. If you earned in both states this year, see ME tax agency and NH tax agency.
Will my state income tax go up or down if I move from Maine to New Hampshire?
This uses 2026 single-filer brackets (top listed 7.15% vs 0.0%), minus a $4,300 exemption per dependent. It is not your actual tax bill.
Vehicle title, registration, and tax in New Hampshire
New New Hampshire residents typically have 60 days to title and register. Inspection: Varies by county — confirm locally. The title-tax rate used here is 0.00%. On a $28,000 vehicle, state charges in the sketch are $66.20 (tax $0.00 + title $25.00 + registration $31.20 + plate $10.00). County and weight fees are omitted on purpose.
Estimate what you’ll pay to title the car in New Hampshire
Title fee + plate + base registration + 0.00% tax. County extras are not included.
Driver’s license in New Hampshire
After you become a New Hampshire resident, you typically have 60 days to get a New Hampshire driver license. Bring your Maine license, Social Security number, and proof you live in New Hampshire. Agencies often ask for two proofs; the exact list is on the official New Hampshire DMV. Maine plates are not a substitute for New Hampshire registration once the title clock runs out.
Checklist for new New Hampshire residents from Maine
- Get a NH driver license within 60 days. Bring your ME license, Social Security number, and proof you live in New Hampshire (agencies often ask for two proofs; use the official New Hampshire DMV list).
- Title and register the car within 60 days. Inspection: Varies by county — confirm locally.
- Make sure car insurance meets 25/50/25.
- Register to vote. Typical close: 15 days before an election. New Hampshire elections site.
- If you earned money in both states this year, you may need to file in both. ME tax agency · NH tax agency.
- Both Maine and New Hampshire are in the nurse compact — a multistate license can follow you. Confirm with the board of nursing if you are changing primary residence.
Biggest differences in moving from Maine to New Hampshire
- New Hampshire does not tax wages. Maine’s top listed rate is 7.15% (Top listed rate 7.15%).
- New New Hampshire residents typically have 60 days to get a driver license (30 days is the Maine window in this file).
- New Hampshire title-tax rate used here is 0.00%. On a $28,000 vehicle, state charges in the sketch are $66.20 (county extras omitted).
- Title the car in New Hampshire within 60 days. Maine plates are not a substitute once that clock runs.
- Effective real-estate property tax: 1.24% in Maine vs 1.93% in New Hampshire.
Common questions
How does sales tax in New Hampshire compare to Maine?
Average combined sales tax (state + local) is 5.50% in Maine vs 0.00% in New Hampshire. City and county add-ons vary; this is a statewide average.
Will my state income tax go up or down if I move from Maine to New Hampshire?
New Hampshire does not tax wages; Maine’s top listed rate is 7.15%. At $120,000 yearly income and 0 dependents, the bracket sketch is $8,060 in Maine vs $0 in New Hampshire. Actual bills depend on income, filing status, local tax, credits, and residency timing. This uses 2026 single-filer brackets after a $4,300 exemption per dependent.
How many state and national parks are in Maine vs New Hampshire?
Maine has 48 state parks and 1 national parks in this file. New Hampshire has 93 state parks and 0 national parks. State-park counts follow each agency’s own list; national parks are NPS units titled National Park.
How does population density in New Hampshire compare to Maine?
Population density is 46.0 people per square mile in Maine vs 159.0 in New Hampshire.
How do Maine and New Hampshire compare on demographics?
Maine: 91.8% White (non-Hispanic), 2.1% Hispanic, 1.7% Black, 1.3% Asian. New Hampshire: 88.5% White (non-Hispanic), 4.4% Hispanic, 1.6% Black, 2.9% Asian. These are statewide estimates; cities and counties differ.
Related moves
Also see moving to New Hampshire and the reverse route, New Hampshire → Maine.
Your move