California vs Maine

Maine is cheaper overall, while $100 goes further in Maine, California has higher incomes, Maine has lower state income tax, and California gets more sunshine.

California flag
California
CA · West
16 / 33
metrics won
VS
Maine flag
Maine
ME · Northeast
17 / 33
metrics won
Winner
ME wins Housing ME wins Quality of Life CA wins Climate CA wins Demographics ME wins Taxes CA wins Geography
Continue with the moving guides: Living in California Living in Maine All 50 states State Match
CA 16
17 ME

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Your match

Maine fits you better

Maine wins 17 of 33 scored metrics against California.

Run the numbers

What's your salary really worth?

California

After state tax
—
Housing / month
—
Left after housing
—
Cost-adjusted remainder
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Maine

After state tax
—
Housing / month
—
Left after housing
—
Cost-adjusted remainder
—

Illustrative estimate only. Uses top marginal state income tax rate, BEA Regional Price Parity, and median housing costs — excludes federal tax, utilities, insurance, childcare, and debt.

Full comparison

Every metric, side by side

Pick a category. Each row opens the full breakdown for that metric — national rank, chart, and sourcing.

Capital City
Sacramento vs Augusta
State Color
Solid Blue vs Solid Blue
Population
39,345,844
1,421,310
Median Income
$84,097
$70,171
Cost of Living
138.5
110.3
Median Housing Value
$693,700
$274,400
Property Tax
0.70%
1.02%
State Income Tax
13.30%
7.15%
Minimum Wage
$16.50/hr
$14.65/hr
Gas Price
$5.929/gal
$3.967/gal
Electricity Rates
30.29 c/kWh
30.73 c/kWh
Livability Score
50.49
56.21
Average Temperature
59.4°F
41.0°F
Sunny Days
146 days
101 days
Land Area
163,696 sq mi
35,380 sq mi
Population Density
240.4 per sq mi
40.2 per sq mi
Statehood
September 9, 1850 (#31)
March 15, 1820 (#23)

Tradeoffs

Pros and cons for each state

The biggest advantages and drawbacks pulled from affordability, housing, income, taxes, safety, health, education, jobs, and weather.

California flag

California

Pros

  • California shows higher median income.
  • California has lower property tax rates on average.
  • California job growth trend is stronger.
  • California health access/outcomes proxy is higher.
  • California education proxy is higher.
  • California has more sunny days.

Cons

  • California has a higher overall cost of living.
  • California has a higher housing cost index.
  • California has higher median home values.
  • California has a higher violent crime rate.
  • California health coverage access proxy is weaker.
Maine flag

Maine

Pros

  • Maine has a lower overall cost of living.
  • Maine has a lower housing cost index.
  • Maine has lower median home values.
  • Maine has a lower violent crime rate.
  • Maine health coverage access proxy is stronger.

Cons

  • Maine shows lower median income.
  • Maine has higher property tax rates on average.
  • Maine job growth trend is weaker.
  • Maine health access/outcomes proxy is lower.
  • Maine education proxy is lower.
  • Maine has fewer sunny days.

People also ask

California vs Maine — common questions

QIs California cheaper to live in than Maine?

Maine has the lower cost of living. On the national index (100 = average), Maine scores 110.3 versus 138.5 for California - a gap of 28.2 points.

QWhere does $100 go further - California or Maine?

$100 goes further in Maine. After BEA regional price adjustments, $100 is worth about $103.77 in Maine, compared with $92.31 in California.

QWhich state is bigger - California or Maine?

California is larger, covering 163,696 sq mi compared with 35,380 sq mi for Maine - roughly 4.6x the size.

QDoes California or Maine have more people?

California has the larger population at 39,345,844, compared with 1,421,310 in Maine.

QWhich state has higher household income - California or Maine?

California has the higher median household income at $84,097, versus $70,171 in Maine.

QWhich state has lower income taxes - California or Maine?

Maine has the lower state income tax top rate at 7.15%, compared with 13.30% in California.

QIs housing cheaper in California or Maine?

Homes are cheaper in Maine, where the median home value is $274,400, versus $693,700 in California.

QWhich state is more densely populated - California or Maine?

California is more densely populated at 240.4 per sq mi people per sq mi. Maine is more spread out at 40.2 per sq mi people per sq mi.

Related comparisons

Alaska flag Alaska vs Maine Arizona flag Arizona vs Maine California flag California vs Connecticut California flag California vs Massachusetts

Methodology

Figures combine government datasets, named research sources, and clearly labeled derived scores. Dataset reviewed July 23, 2026.

Demographics & geography
2020 Census, American Community Survey, TIGER/Line Files, National Archives
Income, housing & cost of living
American Community Survey, BLS, BEA Regional Price Parities, and named market studies
Wages & energy
U.S. Department of Labor, AAA, U.S. EIA
Politics & law
NCSL, Giffords Law Center, NABCA

Data periods differ by metric. Open any individual comparison metric to see its primary source, data period, review date, and calculation note. Daily-changing fields such as gas prices are stored snapshots unless the page explicitly says a live feed is used.

See our editorial policy for how we review and update these pages.