Compare states / Maine
ME
Compare Maine with other states
With about 1.4 million residents, Maine is the 9th-least populous state (46 people per square mile). Its top income-tax rate of 7.15% is the 10th-highest among the 50 states; its average combined sales tax of 5.50% is the 7th-lowest nationally. The median home value, $415,853, ranks 19th-highest of 50. Its reported violent-crime rate, 100 per 100,000 residents, is the lowest in the country.
Data: Maine (maine.gov); Tax Foundation 2026, Experian/Zillow, Census, FBI, NPS. Jump to sources · Methodology
Taxes and housing
| State income tax | Top listed rate 7.15% |
|---|---|
| Average sales tax (state + local) | 5.50% |
| Average property tax (real estate) | 0.98% effective |
| Personal property tax (vehicles) | Municipal excise tax on vehicles, about 2.40% effective |
| Social Security tax | Not taxed. The state exempts Social Security benefits from income tax. |
| Estate tax | For 2026 deaths, Maine’s exclusion is $7,160,000. Tax is 8% on the next $3 million, 10% on the next $3 million, and 12% above $13,160,000. |
| Inheritance tax | No state inheritance tax. |
| Minimum wage | Statewide minimum wage $15.10. |
| Median home value | $415,853 |
Car title and license
| Tax on buying/titling a car | 5.50% |
|---|---|
| Title fee | $33.00 |
| Registration (base) | $35.00 |
| Car inspection | Varies by county — confirm locally |
| Nurse license from another state | Usually transfers (compact) |
Parks and people
| State parks | 35 |
|---|---|
| National parks | 1 |
| Population | 1,421,310 |
| Population density | 46.0 per sq mi |
| Demographics | 91.8% White (non-Hispanic) 2.1% Hispanic 1.7% Black 1.3% Asian |
| Violent crime | 100.1 per 100,000 |
Estimated income tax in Maine
Uses 2026 single-filer tax brackets (top listed rate 7.15%) after a per-dependent exemption. Not your actual tax bill.
Estimate car title cost in Maine
Uses this state’s title fee, plate, base registration, and 5.50% tax. County extras are not included.
Your move
Your to-do list in Maine
- Get an ME driver license within 30 days. Bring your current license, Social Security number, and two proofs you live in Maine.
- Title and register the car within 30 days. Inspection: Varies by county — confirm locally.
- Make sure car insurance meets 25/50/25.
- Register to vote. Maine elections site.
- Nurse license: Maine is in the nurse compact, so a compact RN license often still works. Confirm with the board of nursing if you are changing primary residence.
- Enrolling a kindergartner? Kindergarten age cutoff in Maine: October 15. Compare kindergarten cutoffs by state.
How Maine compares
Alaska does not tax wages. Maine’s top listed rate is 7.15% (Top listed rate 7.15%).
Use the picker above for any other state. Published comparison pages that include Maine are listed here.
Sources
Compiled 2026. Statewide figures; counties can differ.
- State income tax. Tax Foundation, State Individual Income Tax Rates and Brackets, 2026.
- Average sales tax (state + local). Tax Foundation, State and Local Sales Tax Rates, January 2026.
- Average property tax (real estate). Tax Foundation, Property Taxes by State and County, 2026.
- Personal property tax (vehicles). WalletHub, Property Taxes by State, 2026 (vehicle table).
- Social Security tax. Maine does not tax Social Security benefits (ME tax agency).
- Estate tax. Maine estate tax.
- Inheritance tax. Maine has no state inheritance tax (ME tax agency).
- Minimum wage. Maine $15.10.
- Median home value. Experian / Zillow, Median Home Values by State, March 2026.
- Tax on buying/titling a car. Maine 5.50%.
- State parks. Maine 35. Official designated state parks.
- National parks. National Park Service, National Park System (units designated National Park on the National Park Service system list; parks that sit in more than one state are counted in each; ME 1).
- Population / density. U.S. Census Bureau, state population estimates · PopClock people per sq. mi..
- Demographics. U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts (ME).
- Violent crime per 100,000. FBI Uniform Crime Reports, 2024 (state rates table).
- Days to get a license. Maine 30 days.
- Days to title a car. Maine 30 days.
Data last updated: September 2026. How the data is compiled