Maine
Maine ranks #7 of 50 US states in 2026 with a composite score of 78.0/100 and a A grade. Its strongest category is Safety (93/100) and its weakest is Outdoor Access (45/100).
How Does Maine Rank For...
Weights vary by lifestyle. Families prioritize education & safety; retirees prioritize fiscal health & healthcare. See methodology →
Top Strengths
Areas to Watch
Category Breakdown
12-Month Composite Trend
IllustrativeCities in Maine
| # | City | Grade | Score | Population | Income | Crime | Cost Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 | Westbrook | A+ | 68.4 | 20,484 | $85,868 | 192.8 | — |
| 50 | South Portland | A+ | 65.8 | 26,780 | $84,563 | 113.8 | 103.6 |
| 68 | Portland | A+ | 65.0 | 69,104 | $83,399 | 229.6 | 103.6 |
| 90 | Brunswick | A+ | 64.0 | 16,928 | $68,190 | 114.4 | 89.7 |
| 104 | Saco | A | 63.4 | 20,636 | $84,328 | 118.5 | 95.6 |
| 141 | Bath | A | 62.0 | 8,801 | $65,565 | 22.7 | — |
| 174 | Ellsworth | A | 61.0 | 8,550 | $70,990 | 224.8 | — |
| 245 | Orono | B+ | 59.0 | 10,699 | $56,890 | 17.7 | — |
| 270 | Old Orchard Beach | B+ | 58.4 | 9,150 | $65,842 | 200.8 | — |
| 297 | Auburn | B+ | 57.7 | 24,294 | $66,552 | 148.4 | 88.9 |
| 298 | Sanford | B+ | 57.7 | 22,095 | $70,570 | 182.9 | 101.1 |
| 306 | Caribou | B+ | 57.5 | 7,427 | $54,271 | 67 | — |
| 350 | Old Town | B+ | 56.4 | 7,439 | $49,329 | 26.8 | — |
| 389 | Brewer | B | 55.6 | 9,654 | $51,490 | 20.7 | — |
| 396 | Biddeford | B | 55.4 | 22,463 | $69,794 | 348.1 | — |
| 400 | Bangor | B | 55.3 | 31,663 | $58,096 | 171.3 | 91.5 |
| 482 | Lewiston | B | 53.4 | 37,886 | $56,558 | 321.3 | 100.1 |
| 503 | Presque Isle | C+ | 52.9 | 8,736 | $57,396 | 208.6 | — |
| 527 | Waterville | C+ | 52.4 | 16,704 | $47,489 | 214.8 | — |
| 550 | Augusta | C+ | 52.1 | 18,999 | $48,756 | 287.3 | 91 |
Best Cities in Maine for...
| # | City | Families Score | 🎓 Education | 🛡️ Safety | 🏠 Affordability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Westbrook | 70.6 | 80.7 | 86.5 | 57.1 |
| 2 | Brunswick | 70.5 | 78.0 | 90.0 | 66.0 |
| 3 | Orono | 70.1 | 80.2 | 100.0 | 62.6 |
| 4 | South Portland | 69.2 | 76.8 | 91.0 | 58.2 |
| 5 | Bath | 68.8 | 75.0 | 97.1 | 62.1 |
More Northeast States
Maine Rankings Overview
Maine earns an overall grade of A with a composite score of 78 out of 100, ranking #7 among all 50 US states. The state's strongest category is Safety (93/100) while its biggest challenge is Outdoor Access (45/100).
Economy & Employment in Maine
With an unemployment rate of 3.2% (compared to the national average of 3.8%), Maine performs above average on economic indicators. The median household income is $68,810, which ranks below the national median of $74,753.
Safety & Crime in Maine
Maine's violent crime rate of 100 per 100,000 residents places it in the top half of states for public safety. This makes it one of the safest states in America.
Health & Education in Maine
Maine ranks #11 for health outcomes according to the 2025 America's Health Rankings report, and #13 for K-12 education quality based on NAEP scores and graduation rates. Life expectancy in Maine is 78.7 years, and the high school graduation rate is 87%.
Taxes & Fiscal Health in Maine
Maine's total tax burden is 10.64% of personal income, which is above the national average of 8.74%. The top marginal income tax rate is 7.15%. The effective property tax rate is 1.17% and the combined state and local sales tax rate is 5.5%.
Housing & Affordability in Maine
The median home price in Maine is $381,000, below the national average of $394,620. The cost of living index is 97 (where 100 equals the national average), roughly in line with national costs. The price-to-income ratio is 5.5x.
Environment in Maine
Maine has a median air quality index of 34 (EPA AirData), better than the national average. 78% of the state's electricity comes from renewable sources, one of the highest rates in the country. The FEMA natural disaster risk score is 12.7 (below average risk).
Growth & Migration in Maine
Maine's population growth rate is +0.5% year over year. The net domestic migration rate is +3.8 per 1,000 residents, indicating more people are moving in than out. 87.3% of households have broadband internet access.
Best Cities in Maine
The top-ranked cities in Maine based on our composite scoring are Westbrook, South Portland, and Portland. These cities score highest across economy, safety, health, and affordability metrics among the cities we track in Maine.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Maine's overall ranking?
Maine ranks #7 out of 50 states with a composite score of 78/100 and a grade of A.
Is Maine a good place to live?
Maine ranks among the top-performing states in America with a composite score of 78/100. Its strengths in areas like economic opportunity and public safety make it an attractive place to live for many residents.
What is the crime rate in Maine?
The violent crime rate in Maine is 100 per 100,000 residents (2024 FBI data), compared to the national average of 350 per 100,000.
How does Maine's economy compare?
Maine's median household income is $68,810 with an unemployment rate of 3.2%. The unemployment rate is below the national average of 3.8%, and the median income is below the national median of $74,753.
What are the best cities in Maine?
Based on our composite scoring, the top-ranked cities in Maine are Westbrook, South Portland, and Portland.
How does Maine rank for families?
Maine ranks #2 of 50 states for families with a score of 86.2/100. This is a top-tier ranking based on weights emphasizing education, safety, housing.
How does Maine rank for retirees?
Maine ranks #3 of 50 states for retirees with a score of 81.4/100. This is a top-tier ranking based on weights emphasizing health, fiscal, housing.
How does Maine rank for remote workers?
Maine ranks #6 of 50 states for remote workers with a score of 70.6/100. This is a top-tier ranking based on weights emphasizing housing, economy, outdoor.