Side-by-side tax comparison between Maine (7.15% top rate) and New York (10.9% top rate).
| Salary | Maine | New York | Difference | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $50K | $39,616 | $37,460 | −$2,156 | Maine |
| $75K | $57,281 | $54,046 | −$3,234 | Maine |
| $100K | $73,528 | $69,215 | −$4,313 | Maine |
| $150K | $105,402 | $98,934 | −$6,469 | Maine |
| $200K | $138,378 | $129,753 | −$8,625 | Maine |
Maine offers higher take-home pay at every salary level. Maine's 7.15% top rate is more favorable than New York's 10.9%. At $100K, the difference is $4,313/year — that’s $359/month.
However, cost of living matters. Maine has a cost index of 98 while New York is at 125. After adjusting for cost of living, the gap narrows significantly.