Maine vs Vermont Cost of Living
Purchasing power
Your $75,000 is worth different amounts in each state
$65,789
in Maine
$66,079
in Vermont
Each cell = 1% of purchasing power. Green = value, red = gap.
Spending breakdown
Estimated annual spending on a $75,000 salary
What things actually cost
Real dollar costs side by side
Category breakdown
| Category | Maine | Vermont | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | 135.7 | 129.0 | +5% |
| Groceries | 101.0 | 105.5 | -4% |
| Utilities | 118.9 | 113.5 | +5% |
| Transportation | 103.6 | 103.3 | 0% |
| Healthcare | 115.3 | 111.8 | +3% |
| Dining & Misc | 102.0 | 106.3 | -4% |
| Overall | 114.0 | 113.5 | 0% |
Index values relative to national average (100). Positive difference = more expensive in Maine.
What things actually cost
| Item | Maine | Vermont | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home price | $380,000 | $370,000 | +$10,000 |
| Average 2BR rent | $1,900/mo | $1,806/mo | +$94 |
| Gas price | $3.47/gal | $3.44/gal | +$0.03 |
| Electric bill | $174/mo | $163/mo | +$11 |
| Infant childcare | $13,310/yr | $18,836/yr | $5,526 |
Salary equivalent: Maine → Vermont
What a Maine salary buys you in Vermont, adjusted for cost of living.
| Salary in Maine | Equivalent in Vermont | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $49,781 | +$219 |
| $75,000 | $74,671 | +$329 |
| $100,000 | $99,561 | +$439 |
| $150,000 | $149,342 | +$658 |
| $200,000 | $199,123 | +$877 |
Positive = your money goes further in Vermont. Based on overall COL index ratio.
Based on MERIC/C2ER 2025 composite indices. Dollar amounts from AAA, EIA, Zillow, and Child Care Aware.
Overview
Maine and Vermont have nearly identical costs of living, with overall indices of 114 and 113.5 (national average = 100).
FAQ
Is it cheaper to live in Maine or Vermont?
Maine and Vermont have roughly the same cost of living, with less than 1% difference in the MERIC/C2ER composite index.
Is Maine cheaper than Vermont?
Maine and Vermont cost roughly the same to live in.
Is Vermont more expensive than Maine?
Maine and Vermont have nearly identical costs of living — the difference is less than 1%.
What salary in Vermont equals $100,000 in Maine?
To maintain the same purchasing power as a $100,000 salary in Maine, you would need approximately $99,561 in Vermont. This is based on the overall cost-of-living index (114 vs 113.5).
How do housing costs compare between Maine and Vermont?
Housing is cheaper in Vermont. Median home prices are $380,000 in Maine vs $370,000 in Vermont — a $10,000 difference. Average 2-bedroom rent is $1,900/mo vs $1,806/mo.
What costs more in Maine vs Vermont?
Housing is 5% higher in Maine (index 135.7 vs 129). Utilities is 5% higher in Maine (index 118.9 vs 113.5). Groceries is 4% lower in Maine (index 101 vs 105.5).
Is gas cheaper in Maine or Vermont?
Gas averages $3.47/gallon in Maine and $3.44/gallon in Vermont — a $0.03 difference per gallon.
Maine vs Vermont cost of living — how do they compare?
Maine has an overall cost-of-living index of 114 and Vermont has 113.5 (national average = 100). They are nearly identical. Use the calculator above to see how this affects your specific salary.
How do taxes compare between Maine and Vermont?
Cost of living is only part of the picture — state income taxes also affect your take-home pay. Maine uses a progressive income tax with 3 brackets, topping out at 7.15% on income over $58,050. Vermont has a progressive income tax with a top rate of 8.75% on income over $229,500. Use the Maine vs Vermont paycheck comparison to see how a specific salary compares after federal and state taxes, FICA, and deductions.
Do I need to file state tax returns in Maine and Vermont?
Maine requires residents to file a state income tax return annually, typically due April 15. Vermont requires residents to file a state income tax return annually, typically due April 15. If you move between states mid-year, you typically file a part-year resident return in each state for the income earned while living there.
Where does this cost of living data come from?
Cost-of-living indices are from the MERIC/C2ER 2025 Annual Average. Dollar amounts use AAA gas prices (March 2025), EIA electricity rates (2024), Child Care Aware childcare costs (2024), Zillow home values (2024-2025), and BEA Regional Price Parities.
Related tools
- Maine Cost of Living — Housing, groceries, gas, and more
- Vermont Cost of Living — Housing, groceries, gas, and more
- Maine vs Vermont Paycheck Comparison — Compare take-home pay after taxes
- House Affordability in Maine — How much house can you afford?
- House Affordability in Vermont — How much house can you afford?
- Maine Tax Brackets — See 2026 marginal rates
- Vermont Tax Brackets — See 2026 marginal rates
- Maine Mortgage Calculator — Estimate monthly payments with local rates
- Vermont Mortgage Calculator — Estimate monthly payments with local rates
- Maine Bonus Tax Calculator — See how bonuses are taxed differently
- Vermont Bonus Tax Calculator — See how bonuses are taxed differently
- Gross-Up Calculator — Find the salary you need to hit a target take-home
- Salary to Hourly Converter — Convert annual salary to hourly rate
- Compare any two states
Based on MERIC/C2ER 2025 composite indices and publicly available price data. Cost of living varies significantly by metro area within a state. These are statewide averages.