Side-by-side tax comparison between Hawaii (11% top rate) and Maine (7.15% top rate).
| Salary | Hawaii | Maine | Difference | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $50K | $38,173 | $39,616 | +$1,444 | Maine |
| $75K | $55,115 | $57,281 | +$2,166 | Maine |
| $100K | $70,640 | $73,528 | +$2,888 | Maine |
| $150K | $101,071 | $105,402 | +$4,331 | Maine |
| $200K | $132,603 | $138,378 | +$5,775 | Maine |
Maine offers higher take-home pay at every salary level. Maine's 7.15% top rate is more favorable than Hawaii's 11%. At $100K, the difference is $2,888/year — that’s $241/month.
However, cost of living matters. Hawaii has a cost index of 192 while Maine is at 98. After adjusting for cost of living, the gap widens significantly.