What it costs to live and work in Maine: the minimum wage, state income tax, sales tax and median rent, from official sources, and what they mean for your monthly budget.
| Maine | Source | |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage | $15.10 an hour | US Department of Labor, State Minimum Wage Laws (updated July 1, 2026) |
| State income tax | 5.8 % to 7.15 % | Tax Foundation, State Individual Income Tax Rates and Brackets, 2026 |
| State sales tax | 5.5 % | Tax Foundation, State and Local Sales Tax Rates, Midyear 2026 (as of July 1, 2026) |
| Median gross rent | $1,210 a month (2024) | US Census Bureau, ACS 2024 1-year estimates, table B25064 Median Gross Rent |
Maine's minimum wage is $15.10 an hour in 2026, adjusted every year for inflation.
Maine has graduated rates from 5.8 % to 7.15 %; the top rate applies to single filers above $64,849.
The state sales tax is 5.5 %, with no local sales taxes.
What income does rent in Maine take?
A common rule of thumb is to keep rent at or below 30 % of gross income. At the median rent of $1,210 a month, that means a household income of about $48,400 a year before tax.
Sources
- US Department of Labor, State Minimum Wage Laws (updated July 1, 2026) (2026-07-01)
- Tax Foundation, State Individual Income Tax Rates and Brackets, 2026 (2026-02-19)
- Tax Foundation, State and Local Sales Tax Rates, Midyear 2026 (as of July 1, 2026) (2026-07-06)
- US Census Bureau, ACS 2024 1-year estimates, table B25064 Median Gross Rent (2025-09)
- Maine Department of Labor, Paid Family and Medical Leave FAQ (2024-09-12)
- Maine Department of Labor, Information to Know about Maine PFML (2025)