California vs Maine Taxes: Take-Home Pay Compared (2026)
On a $75,000 salary, a single filer keeps $1,471 more a year in California than in Maine ($123 a month).
California
1% - 13.3% state income tax
$58,817
take-home on $75,000 · $4,901/month
26th of 51 states for take-home pay
California paycheck calculator ›Maine
5.8% - 7.15% state income tax
$57,346
take-home on $75,000 · $4,779/month
49th of 51 states for take-home pay
Maine paycheck calculator ›Take-home pay in California and Maine by salary
| Salary | California | Maine | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| $40,000 | $33,737 | $32,444 | $1,293 more in California |
| $50,000 | $41,315 | $39,804 | $1,511 more in California |
| $60,000 | $48,750 | $47,164 | $1,586 more in California |
| $75,000 | $58,817 | $57,346 | $1,471 more in California |
| $100,000 | $74,125 | $73,147 | $978 more in California |
| $125,000 | $89,323 | $88,882 | $441 more in California |
| $150,000 | $104,086 | $104,183 | $97 more in Maine |
| $200,000 | $134,572 | $135,744 | $1,172 more in Maine |
Single filer, standard deduction, no local tax. To match $75,000 in California you would need about $77,350 in Maine; to match $75,000 in Maine you would need about $72,650 in California.
How California and Maine tax wages
| 2026 | California | Maine |
|---|---|---|
| Income tax | 10 brackets from 1% to 13.3% | 3 brackets from 5.8% to 7.15% |
| Top rate | 13.3% | 7.15% |
| Standard deduction | $5,706 single | $8,350 single |
| State tax on $75k | $2,775 (3.7%) | $4,246 (5.7%) |
| Local wage taxes | No | No |
| Reciprocity | None | None |
California vs Maine: FAQ
Does California or Maine have lower income taxes in 2026?
On a $75,000 salary, a single filer keeps $1,471 more a year in California than in Maine ($123 a month). California has 10 brackets from 1% to 13.3% for 2026. For single filers the top 13.3% rate starts at $1,000,000 of taxable income. Maine has 3 brackets from 5.8% to 7.15% for 2026. For single filers the top 7.15% rate starts at $64,849 of taxable income.
What salary in Maine equals $75,000 in California?
To take home the same $58,817 that $75,000 leaves in California, you would need about $77,350 in Maine, based on income, payroll, and state taxes only. Housing and other living costs are not included.
How much more do high earners keep in Maine than in California?
At $150,000 the gap is $97 a year: $104,086 in California versus $104,183 in Maine. Progressive brackets make the difference grow faster as income rises.
What if I live in California and work in Maine?
California and Maine do not have a reciprocity agreement, so Maine withholds tax on wages earned there and California generally gives residents a credit for tax paid to the other state. You effectively pay the higher of the two rates.