New Jersey
118.8
composite · rank #44
- Housing
- 144.3
- Grocery
- 109.1
- Utilities
- 110.3
Compare different states
Q1 2026
Q1 2026New Jersey vs Maine Cost of Living
Maine has the lower cost of living by 4.2 index points. Compare category indexes and equivalent salaries in both directions.
By Sammy S. · Founder · AuthorUpdated for 2026
Lower cost of living
Maine is lower
4.2 index points lower. A $100,000 lifestyle in New Jersey is roughly $96,465 in Maine.
Side-by-side cost of living scoreboard
Maine
114.6
composite · rank #42
- Housing
- 134.8
- Grocery
- 101.6
- Utilities
- 124.6
Category-by-category comparison
| Category | New Jersey | Maine | Lower cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grocery | 109.1 | 101.6 | Maine |
| Housing | 144.3 | 134.8 | Maine |
| Utilities | 110.3 | 124.6 | New Jersey |
| Transportation | 103.8 | 104.4 | New Jersey |
| Health care | 115.8 | 114.7 | Maine |
| Misc. goods & services | 107 | 102.7 | Maine |
Grocery
New Jersey109.1
Maine101.6
Lower cost: Maine
Housing
New Jersey144.3
Maine134.8
Lower cost: Maine
Utilities
New Jersey110.3
Maine124.6
Lower cost: New Jersey
Transportation
New Jersey103.8
Maine104.4
Lower cost: New Jersey
Health care
New Jersey115.8
Maine114.7
Lower cost: Maine
Misc. goods & services
New Jersey107
Maine102.7
Lower cost: Maine
Equivalent salary examples
Salary needed in the destination state to match purchasing power in the origin state.
| Origin salary | Needed in Maine | Needed in New Jersey |
|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $48,232 | $51,832 |
| $75,000 | $72,348 | $77,749 |
| $100,000 | $96,465 | $103,665 |
| $150,000 | $144,697 | $155,497 |
| $250,000 | $241,162 | $259,162 |
$50,000 origin salary
In Maine$48,232
In New Jersey$51,832
$75,000 origin salary
In Maine$72,348
In New Jersey$77,749
$100,000 origin salary
In Maine$96,465
In New Jersey$103,665
$150,000 origin salary
In Maine$144,697
In New Jersey$155,497
Housing gap
New Jersey housing is 144.3; Maine is 134.8.
Salary planning
$100,000 in New Jersey is roughly $96,465 in Maine.
Statewide averages
Indexes average participating urban areas. Local rents and wages can differ sharply inside either state.
New Jersey vs Maine cost of living FAQs
Maine has the lower cost of living by 4.2 index points. The composite indexes are 118.8 in New Jersey and 114.6 in Maine (US average = 100).
About $96,465 in Maine would provide similar statewide purchasing power to $100,000 in New Jersey, based on the composite indexes.
About $103,665 in New Jersey would provide similar statewide purchasing power to $100,000 in Maine.
Housing indexes are 144.3 in New Jersey and 134.8 in Maine. Housing is often the largest driver, but groceries, utilities, transportation, health care, and other goods also matter.
No. These are statewide averages of participating urban areas. Your city, neighborhood, housing choice, family size, and spending mix can produce a very different personal cost of living.
Maine has the lower average index, but wages, taxes, insurance, schools, and job opportunities should also be compared.
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Composite index, category costs, and equivalent-salary examples.
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Data period Q1 2026. Statewide urban-area averages; not personal budget calculations.