Maine vs New Hampshire Paycheck Comparison 2026
Annual salary
Annual salary
Additional options (filing status, deductions)
$3,411 /yr more take-home in New Hampshire
$284/mo · $131 a paycheck.
Maine
New Hampshire
$58,182/yr in Maine vs $61,593/yr in New Hampshire.
Maine
Take-home per paycheck
$2,237.76
$58,182/yr · 26x/yr
Tax rates
New Hampshire
Take-home per paycheck
$2,368.94
$61,593/yr · 26x/yr
Tax rates
What this paycheck affords in Maine vs New Hampshire
Sized off $4,848/mo take-home in Maine and $5,133/mo in New Hampshire. Every figure below is a spending rule of thumb, not a tax rule.
Purchasing power
$56,395 is what Maine take-home is worth at New Hampshire prices
Against $61,593 actually paid in New Hampshire, leaving New Hampshire $5,198/yr ahead once cost of living is taken off.
Rent
$282 /mo more for a two-bedroom in Maine
$1,900/mo in Maine, $1,618/mo in New Hampshire.
The average two-bedroom takes 39% of take-home in Maine and 32% in New Hampshire — a stretch in both.
Buying a home
$85,000 more for the median home in New Hampshire
$380,000 in Maine, $465,000 in New Hampshire.
The median home is 1.4× what this salary supports in Maine and 1.9× in New Hampshire. Lenders size a mortgage off gross pay, so the budgets start from $75,000 at a 28% debt-to-income ratio, 6.75% over 30 years, each with its own state property tax rate.
What's left each month
$580 /mo more left over in New Hampshire
Maine has $347/mo spare; New Hampshire has $927/mo spare.
Both paychecks cover the local average for everything. Splitting rent with one roommate would free up $950/mo in Maine and $809/mo in New Hampshire.
Monthly cost by expense class
Every class on one scale, so housing's share of the month stays visible. Housing is the measured average two-bedroom; the rest are BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey averages moved by each state's cost-of-living index.
Other costs
| Cost | Maine | New Hampshire |
|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.47/gal | $3.42/gal |
| Electricity | $174/mo | $183/mo |
| Infant childcare | $1,109/mo | $1,447/mo |
Childcare sits outside the budget above because it applies to some households and not others — on its own it is 23% of take-home in Maine and 28% in New Hampshire.
Sources: MERIC/C2ER Cost of Living Index (2025), AAA Fuel Gauge Report (2025), EIA State Electricity Profiles (2024), Child Care Aware of America (2024), Zillow Home Value Index (2025), BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)
Estimate based on 2026 tax rates and standard deductions. Does not include local taxes, itemized deductions, tax credits, or other individual circumstances.
Tax system comparison
Maine: Maine uses a progressive income tax with 3 brackets ranging from 5.80% to 7.15%.
New Hampshire: New Hampshire has no state income tax. Residents pay only federal income tax, Social Security, and Medicare.
Take-home pay at different salaries (single filer, 2026)
| Salary | Maine take-home | New Hampshire take-home | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $40,632 | $42,355 | -$1,723 |
| $75,000 | $58,182 | $61,593 | -$3,411 |
| $100,000 | $74,025 | $79,180 | -$5,155 |
| $150,000 | $105,061 | $113,791 | -$8,730 |
| $200,000 | $136,622 | $148,927 | -$12,305 |
| $300,000 | $195,722 | $215,177 | -$19,455 |
Positive values mean higher take-home in Maine. Assumes single filer, no deductions.
FAQ
Which state has lower taxes, Maine or New Hampshire?
At a $100,000 salary, New Hampshire results in $5,155 more annual take-home pay. Maine uses a progressive income tax with 3 brackets ranging from 5.80% to 7.15%. New Hampshire has no state income tax. Residents pay only federal income tax, Social Security, and Medicare.
How much more do you take home in New Hampshire vs the other state?
The difference depends on salary. At $50,000, the gap is $1,723/yr. At $150,000, it grows to $8,730/yr. At $300,000, the difference is $19,455/yr.
Do Maine and New Hampshire have the same federal taxes?
Yes. Federal income tax, Social Security, and Medicare are the same in every state. Only state income tax differs. This calculator shows the combined effect of federal and state taxes on your take-home pay.
Is it cheaper to live in Maine or New Hampshire?
Maine is cheaper to live in. Cost of living in Maine is 5% lower than in New Hampshire. Maine's Regional Price Parity is 100.8 and New Hampshire's is 106.1 (US average = 100).
Is Maine cheaper than New Hampshire?
Yes. Maine has a lower cost of living than New Hampshire (index 100.8 vs 106.1). Housing is typically the biggest difference between the two states.
Is New Hampshire more expensive than Maine?
Yes. New Hampshire has a higher cost of living (index 106.1) compared to Maine (index 100.8). The national average is 100. Housing costs are typically the largest driver of the difference.
After cost of living, which state is actually cheaper?
At a $100,000 salary, take-home pay of $74,025 in Maine has the purchasing power of $70,327 in New Hampshire terms. Conversely, $79,180 in New Hampshire equals $83,343 in Maine terms. After adjusting for both taxes and cost of living, New Hampshire comes out ahead.
Maine vs New Hampshire cost of living — what's the difference?
The overall cost of living is 5% different between Maine and New Hampshire. Living costs are about at the national average Living costs are 6% above the national average After taxes and cost of living, New Hampshire gives you more purchasing power on a $100,000 salary.
Do I need to file state tax returns in both Maine and New Hampshire?
Maine requires residents to file a state income tax return annually, typically due April 15. New Hampshire has no state income tax, so residents do not file a state tax return. 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. Each state has its own tax return form — check your state's department of revenue website for the correct form and e-filing options.
Related tools
- Maine vs New Hampshire Cost of Living — Compare housing, groceries, utilities, and overall expenses
- Maine Cost of Living — Housing, groceries, gas, and overall index
- New Hampshire Cost of Living — Housing, groceries, gas, and overall index
- How much house can you afford in Maine?
- How much house can you afford in New Hampshire?
- Maine Tax Brackets — See 2026 marginal rates and effective tax rate
- New Hampshire Tax Brackets — See 2026 marginal rates and effective tax rate
- Maine Bonus Tax Calculator — See how bonuses are taxed differently
- New Hampshire Bonus Tax Calculator — See how bonuses are taxed differently
- Pay Raise Calculator — See how a raise changes your take-home pay
- Gross-Up Calculator — Find the salary you need to hit a target take-home
- Salary to Hourly Converter — Convert annual salary to hourly rate
- Mortgage Calculator — Estimate monthly payments with local rates
Maine Paycheck Estimator · New Hampshire Paycheck Estimator · All states