Side-by-side tax comparison between California (13.3% top rate) and Maine (7.15% top rate).
| Salary | California | Maine | Difference | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $50K | $37,310 | $39,616 | +$2,306 | Maine |
| $75K | $53,821 | $57,281 | +$3,459 | Maine |
| $100K | $68,915 | $73,528 | +$4,613 | Maine |
| $150K | $98,484 | $105,402 | +$6,919 | Maine |
| $200K | $129,153 | $138,378 | +$9,225 | Maine |
Maine offers higher take-home pay at every salary level. Maine's 7.15% top rate is more favorable than California's 13.3%. At $100K, the difference is $4,613/year — that’s $384/month.
However, cost of living matters. California has a cost index of 142 while Maine is at 98. After adjusting for cost of living, the gap widens significantly.