When you are moving to Maine, you need to consider different aspects related to it. Maine which is also known by the nickname “The Pine Tree State”, is located in the northeastern parts of the US. There are some of the Bayshore coastlines and the rocky Atlantic Ocean. The cost of living in Maine state is a little higher than the US national average.
One of the most expensive places is Portland-South Portland. Apart from that, there are other places too which are having a high cost of living. The employment rate is nice in Maine with several nice job opportunities available. The income tax rate is progressive which is divided into three brackets and the sales tax rate is 5.5%.
With good quality of education, you can expect quality education for your kids. The availability of the healthcare facility is good here with some of the prominent hospitals being operated here. Most of the places have high housing rates, only limited places will have lower housing rates. We try to put some better information on the Maine here.
If you move to Maine, this information can be much helpful.
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Cost of Living in Maine
According to worldpopulationreview, Maine’s cost of living index is 117.5. It is comparatively higher than the united states index average of 100. In Maine, living costs are about as high as they are in the United States on average. It has been estimated that the state’s average cost of living in the same as it is nationwide.
Maine is the 16th most expensive state in the nation in terms of the cost of living. In general, living in dense, urban metro areas is more expensive than living in more rural areas. There are three major metropolitan areas in Maine. Portland-South Portland is the most expensive area in the state.
The cost of living is priced at a price of 3.2% higher than the national average.
| Maine | US | |
| Median Home Value | $184,500.00 | $204,900.00 |
| Median Monthly Rent | $831.00 | $1,023.00 |
| Average Car Insurance | $1,453.00 | $1,517.00 |
| Healthcare cost for Single Adult | $4,467.00 | $4,266.00 |
| Healthcare cost for family of four | $13,593.00 | $12,950.00 |
| Food cost for Single Adult | $3,653.00 | $3,240.00 |
| Food cost for family of four | $10,551.00 | $9,354.00 |
| Annual Child care cost | $7,622.00 | $8,903.00 |
| Annual Taxes | $6,964.00 | $6,542.00 |
Job Market in Maine
According to U.S. News, Maine ranks 30 in the nation for employment. In Maine, the average household income is $73,210 While the median household income is $55,425. The most wanted job in Maine is Physician assistant With an Average annual salary of $110,030.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports, Maine’s current unemployment rate in February 2021 was 4.8 %, which is lower than the 6.2% average Unemployment Rate in the United States. It is 10.9x more common for a worker in Maine to be a Direct Support Professional than all U.S. workers.
The Most Common Jobs in Maine
| Rank | Job | Local Jobs. | Local Popularity Index |
| 1 | Retail salespersons | 9,610 | 1.0 |
| 2 | Cashiers | 7,670 | 1.0 |
| 3 | Combined food preparation and serving workers, including fast food | 6,390 | 1.3 |
| 4 | Office clerks, general | 5,980 | 0.9 |
| 5 | Customer service representatives | 5,580 | 1.1 |
| 6 | General and operations managers | 5,470 | 1.4 |
| 7 | Secretaries, except legal, medical, and executive | 5,380 | 1.4 |
| 8 | Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand | 5,330 | 1.0 |
| 9 | Registered nurses | 5,240 | 1.0 |
| 10 | Truck drivers, heavy and tractor-trailer | 5,200 | 1.6 |
Highest paying jobs in Maine
| Rank | Job Description | Average Salary | Entry Level Salary |
| 1 | Obstetricians and Gynecologists | $207,330 | $70,580 |
| 2 | Family Medicine Physicians | $190,360 | $118,300 |
| 3 | General Dentists | $188,460 | $76,200 |
| 4 | Nurse Anesthetists | $187,450 | $149,460 |
| 5 | General Pediatricians | $181,150 | $106,610 |
| 6 | Podiatrists | $155,070 | $93,390 |
| 7 | Pharmacists | $137,610 | $104,850 |
| 8 | Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates | $130,860 | $44,800 |
| 9 | Architectural and Engineering Managers | $121,870 | $87,240 |
| 10 | Computer and Information Systems Managers | $118,540 | $77,290 |
Largest employer in Maine
| # | Employer | City | Number of Employees |
| 1 | Army National Guard | Houlton | 7,000 |
| 2 | Hall Erika Pa | Waterville | 4,000 |
| 3 | IAMAW | Bath | 3,800 |
| 4 | Northern Light Eastern ME Med | Bangor | 3,544 |
| 5 | Mainegeneral Medical Ctr | Augusta | 3,514 |
| 6 | Mid Coast Group Physician | Brunswick | 3,500 |
| 7 | Togus VA Hospital Medical Ctr | Augusta | 3,000 |
| 8 | Unum | Portland | 3,000 |
| 9 | IDEXX Laboratories Inc | Westbrook | 2,500 |
| 10 | Pen Bay Medical Ctr | Rockland | 2,500 |
Tax Rates in Maine
Over the past few years, the lawmakers of Maine have lowered the income tax rate multiple times. One of the largest tax cuts in the state’s history was achieved in 2011 when they reduced the income tax rate from 8.5% to 7.95%. Tax rates have fallen again to 7.15% for the 2016 tax year, where they will remain until the 2020 tax year.
Even though its top rate is one of the highest in the nation, Georgia is still ranked as one of the most dangerous states. In addition to having one of the lowest sales tax rates in the country, Maine’s 5.50% statewide sales tax is also free of county or city sales taxes.
Maine Income Tax:
Maine state is applicable to dividends and interest income. Maine state has a progressive tax structure. Maine state tax is divided into 3 brackets with tax rates of 5.8%-7.15% applicable on income range of $22,450-$53,150.
Maine Sales Tax:
Maine state is ranked 29 nationalwide. In Maine, the state sales tax is 5.50% and the average local tax rate is 0.00%.
Maine Property Tax:
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Maine state’s median property tax is $ 2,259 with an effective property tax rate of 1.24%.
Maine Gas Tax:
Maine state has a $0.31404 / gallon gasoline tax and a $0.3187 / gallon diesel tax.
Maine Cigarettes Tax:
Maine state ranks 19th out of 50 states in the cigarette tax. In Maine, cigarette tax per pack of 20 is $2.00
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Economy in Maine
Maine is ranked 41st for its economic outlook and 35th for economic performance rank. Based on the percentage of Maine’s employees employed in sectors where COVID-19 exposure is High or Medium, Maine has the first highest economic exposure to COVID-19 in the US.
517,877 Maine employees work in sectors that have a High economic exposure to COVID-19, making up 71% of all Maine employees. Maine’s population is 1,344,212 with an annual growth rate of 0.2%, which ranks 33 out of all 50 US states. Maine’s Gross State Product (GSP) hit $58.5bn in 2019; that’s an increase of 1.8% from 2005 through 2019.
GSP growth for Maine ranks 20th out of the 50 US states.
Education in Maine
According to U.S. News, Maine is ranked 28th overall in the United States education system, 40th for higher education and 12th for Pre-K-12. Maine is ranked 24th for quality of education in public schools among all 50 states by WalletHub. Maine schools spend $14,145 per pupil for a total of $2.5 billion annually.
That’s the equivalent of 4.1% of taxpayer income. 13,169 college students graduate annually in Maine. The cost of the average community college in Maine is $3,810 for In-state tuition and $6,690 for out-of-state tuition. In Maine, public university costs $20,801which is less than the national average of $21,216.
| Rank | 23 |
| State | Maine |
| In-State Total | $20,801 |
| In-State Tuition & Fees | $10,228 |
| Room & Board | $10,573 |
| Out-Of-State Tuition & Fees | $28,567 |
According to bestcolleges.com
Top Colleges in Maine
- Bowdoin College
- Colby College
- Bates College
- College of the Atlantic
- Saint Joseph’s College of Maine
- University of Southern Maine
- University of Maine at Farmington
- University of New England
- University of Maine
- Husson University
Healthcare in Maine
In its role to promote health and safety, resilience, and opportunity for its residents, the Maine Department of Health and Human Services oversees that sector of the state’s government. More than a third of its residents — including children, the elderly, and those in need of services — have access to its programs.
Among the states, Maine ranks 19th for healthcare. The average Maine employee contributes $1311 per year to healthcare, leading to over $100 in savings across the country. Compared to the national average, the prices of medical care for doctor visits and in-hospital care are almost exactly the same if you can pay out of pocket.
A major medical plan in Maine can be purchased for as little as $188 per person and a medical individual health insurance plan in Maine costs, on average, $512 per person.
Best Hospitals in Maine
- Maine Medical Center
- Eastern Maine Medical Center
- Acadia Hospital
- Aroostook Medical Center
- Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital at Maine Medical Center
- Blue Hill Memorial Hospital
Housing Prices in Maine
The median home value in Maine is almost as high as the national average. According to the Maine Association of Realtors, the median home sale price in Maine last month was $237,900. Portland has a median home value of $343,668. In the Portland-South Portland metro area, the median home value is $325,590.
The second-quarter 2020 median sale price in Cumberland County, where Portland is located, was $340,000,000.
According to homesnacks.com here are the
Most Affordable Places To Live In Maine
- Caribou
- Presque Isle
- Gardiner
- Calais
- Belfast
- Lewiston
- Eastport
- Brewer
- Augusta
- Auburn
Most expensive places to live in Maine for 2021:
- Portland
- South Portland
- Biddeford
- Westbrook
- Bath
- Saco
- Rockland
- Bangor
- Waterville
- Hallowell
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Weather in Maine
Warm, humid summers and cold winters characterize Maine’s climate, which is home to a humid continental climate. A high of 70°F (21.1°C) in July is considered the average maximum temperature for the state of Maine. In the summer season, it is relatively mild at night.
Throughout the state, snow covers the terrain in winter, which reaches a temperature of -11°F per month in January. Autumn and spring are slightly cooler than summer, with colder temperatures. Snowfall averages 75 inches (1905 mm) from November through February in the state, with an average total of 76 inches (1930.4mm) of water per year.
Snowfalls of more than 1″ (25.4mm) in a single day are uncommon in coastal areas, where an average annual depth may be less than ten inches (254mm). 203 days of sunny weather are recorded in Maine each year.
Since the northern and western parts of the state are closer to the Atlantic Ocean through the winter, they usually have colder winters than the coastal parts. During the summer, however, the coasts are generally cooler than the interiors.
Summers in coastal Maine are usually dry and the summers are mostly dry, with widespread distribution of precipitation throughout the year.
Weather Hazards
In the winter, Maine is frequently hit by a large number of cold storms. It is freezing rain and snow that affects the northeastern U.S. in the winter; visibility is significantly reduced. Also, roads develop black ice accumulation and are unsafe to travel. Fog can occur in the streets and may also affect ships.
Pros And Cons of Living in Maine
Pros
- Plenty of forests and open space
90% of the state is covered in forests and therefore, it is nicknamed the Pine Tree State. There is plenty of open space here to enjoy recreational activities.
- Mouth-watering Seafood
Maine is an idyllic destination for seafood lovers. Almost 90% of the lobsters available in the country come from the state’s fishing activities.
- Hospitality and Charm
This is one of the oldest states in the country where you can easily find that old-world charm and courtesy.
- Low unemployment rate
The unemployment rate of the state is phenomenally low. It stands below 3% which means that you can easily find a job before you actually move here.
- Epic Coastline
The coastline of the state comprises 5000 miles of rugged terrain, stunning cliff-side views, and offshore islands to explore.
- Fair wages
The minimum wage in Maine is about $12 per hour, one of the highest in the country.
- Feline-friendly
The state ranks the highest for the number of households with cats. Maine Coon is an official state cat and this is exactly what proves local love for felines.
- Safe Place to Live
It ranks #1 out of the 50 states in terms of overall safety. It isn’t even necessary to lock doors in some places.
Cons
- Higher Home Value
You will be going to pay a little extra for living here. The median housing cost of Maine is about $40,000 higher than the national average. One can easily rent a home at just st $1900 per month.
- Poor internet speed
The slow pace of life is appreciated but the slow speed of the internet is always challenging. There is limited access to high-speed services outside the urban area.
- Strange Laws
Maine is home to several weird and wacky laws and some of them are even enforced. For instance, you cannot step out of an airplane, and also It is illegal to walk down the street playing the violin in Augusta.
- Limited Diversity
It lacks diversity as almost 95% of the citizens are white in the state. If you are looking for people with different cultures, Maine is not the place to be.
- Weather
The winters here can be cold, harsh, and long. The average annual snowfall is 50 to 70 inches along the coast and 60 to 110 inches inland.
Things to Do in Maine
- Allagash Brewery
- Acadia National Park
- Coastal Highway U.S. 1
- Moxie Falls
- Peaks Island
- Sebago Lake
- Cadillac Mountain
- Marginal Way
- Mount Desert Island
- Old Port
- Stephen King’s House
- Walker’s Point
- Old Orchard Beach
- Portland Museum of Art
- Mount Battie
- Victoria Mansion
- Wells Beach
- Ocean Avenue
- Casco Bay Lines Ferry Terminal
- Wolfe’s Neck Woods State Park
Conclusion
The above information can acquaint you with important information about the state which can be helpful while you are moving to Maine. As you have seen, the cost of living in Maine is higher than the national US average, you must be prepared for it.
When you do relocation to Maine, you can benefit from a nice income tax rate, and the sales tax rate can cut down your cost to a little extent. The growing economy is certain to bring more opportunities to the state. This state is very good from the safety point of view. There is some accumulation of ice in the winters which might make your traveling difficult.
The transportation is developed well here with better availability of public transport. Living in Maine will really be a pleasant experience, so get prepared to come here for a nice living.
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