Maine vs New Hampshire:
Take-Home Pay Comparison
Side-by-side tax comparison between Maine (7.15% top rate, graduated) and New Hampshire (no income tax). See which state lets you keep more at every salary level, and how cost of living changes the picture.
Tax Structure: Maine vs New Hampshire
New Hampshire has no state income tax, while Maine uses a graduated system with rates of 5.8-7.15%. On a $100K salary, this creates a state tax difference of $4,648/year that New Hampshire residents simply don’t pay.
Maine’s graduated brackets mean the gap between these two states widens at higher salaries. At $200K, the state tax difference grows to $9,295/year, while at $50K it’s only $2,324.
Take-Home at Every Salary Level
New Hampshire wins at 10 out of 10 salary levels tested. The advantage is consistent and significant across the income spectrum.
| Salary | Maine | New Hampshire | Difference | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $40K | $32,461 | $34,320 | +$1,859 | New Hampshire |
| $50K | $40,031 | $42,355 | +$2,324 | New Hampshire |
| $60K | $47,602 | $50,390 | +$2,789 | New Hampshire |
| $75K | $58,052 | $61,538 | +$3,486 | New Hampshire |
| $100K | $74,478 | $79,125 | +$4,648 | New Hampshire |
| $120K | $87,618 | $93,195 | +$5,577 | New Hampshire |
| $150K | $106,780 | $113,751 | +$6,971 | New Hampshire |
| $200K | $139,592 | $148,887 | +$9,295 | New Hampshire |
| $250K | $171,645 | $183,264 | +$11,619 | New Hampshire |
| $300K | $201,386 | $215,329 | +$13,943 | New Hampshire |
Cost of Living: Maine (98) vs New Hampshire (108)
Take-home pay only tells part of the story. Maine has a cost of living index of 98 while New Hampshire is at 108 (national average = 100).
The cost of living gap is moderate. After adjustment, $100K has purchasing power of $75,997 in Maine vs $73,264 in New Hampshire. However, Maine actually provides better purchasing power despite New Hampshire’s take-home advantage.
Married Filing Jointly: How It Changes the Comparison
For a single earner at $100K filing jointly, take-home becomes $80,063 in Maine and $84,710 in New Hampshire \u2014 a difference of $4,648. The gap remains similar regardless of filing status.
Should You Move from Maine to New Hampshire?
On paper, moving from Maine to New Hampshire would save $4,648/year on a $100K salary, or $23,238 over 5 years. But relocation involves real costs: moving expenses, potentially buying/selling a home, changing jobs, and adjusting to a new community.
The $4,648/year savings is meaningful but probably not enough to justify a move on its own. However, combined with other factors like career growth, lifestyle preferences, or family proximity, it could tip the scale.