Is Maine or New Hampshire a better state to live in?

Based on our composite scoring, New Hampshire ranks higher overall. Maine is #7 and New Hampshire is #1 out of 50 states. Maine wins 6 of 11 categories, while New Hampshire wins 5.

How does Maine compare to New Hampshire in cost of living?

Maine has a cost of living index of 97, while New Hampshire's is 105 (100 = national average). Maine is more affordable.

Which state is safer, Maine or New Hampshire?

Maine has 100 violent crimes per 100K residents, vs 110 in New Hampshire. Maine has the lower crime rate.

What are the median incomes in Maine vs New Hampshire?

Maine's median household income is $68,810, compared to $97,880 in New Hampshire.

Maine vs New Hampshire: Side-by-Side (2026)

Maine

#7·Northeast

76.8Composite Score

VSNew Hampshire leads

A+

New Hampshire

#1·Northeast

86.6Composite Score

6ME wins

5NH wins

Category Overlay

MaineNew Hampshire

Category Scores

💰 EconomyNH +34.8

49.7

84.5

🛡️ SafetyME +1.3

93.3

92.0

🏥 HealthNH +20.4

79.6

100.0

🎓 EducationNH +16.3

75.5

91.8

💼 Fiscal HealthNH +6.1

57.0

63.1

📈 GrowthNH +4.1

48.8

52.9

🏠 AffordabilityME +12.6

56.9

44.3

🌿 EnvironmentME +31.9

77.1

45.2

🏞️ Outdoor AccessME +2.0

45.0

43.0

🚇 TransportationME +4.9

40.8

35.9

🎭 LivabilityME +5.6

61.8

56.2

Key Metrics Comparison

Metric	Maine	New Hampshire	Winner
Population	1,395,722	1,402,054	NH
Median Income	$68,810	$97,880	NH
Unemployment	3.2%	2.8%	NH
Violent Crime Rate(per 100K)	100	110	ME
Cost of Living(100 = national avg)	97	105	ME
HS Graduation Rate	87%	88%	NH
Life Expectancy	78.7 yr	79.2 yr	NH
Pop Growth	+0.5%	+0.6%	NH

Maine vs New Hampshire: How Do They Compare?

Maine ranks #7 overall with a composite score of 76.8, earning a A grade. New Hampshire sits at #1 with 86.6 and a A+ grade. New Hampshire has the edge overall, winning 5 of 11 categories.

On the economic front, Maine has 3.2% unemployment and a $68,810 median income, while New Hampshire reports 2.8% unemployment and $97,880 median income.

For safety, Maine's violent crime rate is 100 per 100K compared to 110 in New Hampshire. Cost of living favors Maine with an index of 97 vs 105.

Explore These States

Maine Full Profile76.8 New Hampshire Full Profile86.6 Compare Other States→

Data Sources

📎Bureau of Labor Statistics, LAUS (Dec 2025)📎U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2024📎FBI Uniform Crime Reporting, 2024📎America's Health Rankings, 2025📎WalletHub/NAEP, 2025📎U.S. Census Bureau, Vintage 2024📎Cook Political Report, PVI 2024📎Tax Foundation, Facts & Figures 2025📎ALEC Rich States Poor States, 2025📎WalletHub Tax Burden Study, 2025📎U.S. Census Bureau / FHFA, 2025📎BEA Regional Price Parities, 2023📎EPA AirData, Median AQI by County 2024📎EIA State Electricity Profiles, 2024📎FEMA National Risk Index v1.20, 2025📎U.S. Census Bureau, Net Domestic Migration 2024📎FCC / BroadbandNow, Broadband Access 2025📎National Park Service API, 2024📎USGS Protected Areas Database (PAD-US), 2024📎U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns 2022📎U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2023 (Commuting)📎FHWA Highway Statistics, 2023📎U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns 2022📎EIA State Electricity Profiles, 2024📎EIA Natural Gas Prices, 2024📎DOL National Database of Childcare Prices, 2023📎BEA Regional Price Parities (Food), 2023📎NCES Common Core of Data (CCD), 2023-24📎EDFacts ACGR Graduation Rates, 2021-22📎NCES School District Finance Survey (F-33), 2022-23📎BEA GDP by State (SAGDP9), 2023📎NASBO Fiscal Survey of States, FY2023📎Census Bureau State Government Finances, FY2022📎Pew Charitable Trusts Fiscal 50, FY2023📎Pew Charitable Trusts, FY2022📎S&P/Moody's via Ballotpedia, 2025📎Bureau of Labor Statistics, OES (May 2023)📎IRS Statistics of Income, Migration Data 2021-2022