Maine Cost of Living 2026

The cost of living in Maine (ME) has an overall index of 99.6 (100 = national average), making it close to the national average. Use the calculator below to compare Maine to any other state and see how far your dollar goes.

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Maine Cost of Living Breakdown

Here is how Maine compares to the national average across major spending categories. An index above 100 means the category is more expensive than average, while below 100 means it is more affordable.

CategoryMaineNational AvgDifference
Overall99.6100.0-0.4
Housing99.8100.0-0.2
Groceries101.2100.0+1.2
Transportation100.4100.0+0.4
Healthcare105.6100.0+5.6
Utilities108.2100.0+8.2

Key Takeaways for Maine

  • Housing (99.8): Housing costs are slightly below the national average, making Maine a moderately affordable option for homebuyers and renters.
  • Groceries (101.2): Grocery prices are close to the national average with minimal impact on your budget.
  • Transportation (100.4): Transportation costs are near the national average.
  • Healthcare (105.6): Healthcare costs are above average. Factor in higher insurance premiums and out-of-pocket costs when budgeting.
  • Utilities (108.2): Utility costs are near the national average.

Biggest Factor in Maine

The most expensive category in Maine relative to national averages is Utilities at an index of 108.2, while the most affordable is Housing at 99.8.

Cost of Living by ZIP Code in Maine

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