Overall Score
Category Wins
6/10
ME
Overall Score
Category Wins
2/10
Quick Comparison
Winner highlighted per category
Idaho Edges Out Maine Overall
With an overall homesteading score of 72.0 vs 69.9, Idaho comes out ahead in our balanced analysis — winning 6 out of 10 key categories. But the best state for you depends on what matters most.
Key differences: Maine offers cheaper farmland at $3,200/acre vs $4,180/acre. Idaho has lower property taxes (0.63% vs 1.24%). Idaho is more affordable with a cost of living index of 95.3 vs 108.4.
Scroll down to the full comparison table for a deep dive into every metric, or use our ranking tool to weight these factors by what matters most to you.
Full Data Comparison
| Data Point | Idaho ID | Maine ME |
|---|---|---|
| Taxes & Cost | ||
| Yes | Yes | |
| 5.3% | 7.15% | |
| 6.02% | 5.5% | |
| 0.63% | 1.24% | |
| 95.3 | 108.4 | |
| Land & Building | ||
| $4,180 | $3,200 | |
| No Statewide Code | Partial | |
| Yes (Statewide) | Varies | |
| Climate & Growing | ||
| 3b-7b | 3b-6a | |
| 160 | 160 | |
| 25" | 48" | |
| 9 | 5 | |
| 5 | 2 | |
| 1 | 1 | |
| Water & Energy | ||
| Allowed with Limits | Unrestricted | |
| 4.92 | 4 | |
| Yes | Yes | |
| Laws & Freedom | ||
| None | Medium | |
| 10 | 8 | |
| Strong | Strong | |
| Yes (Retail Sales) | Yes (Retail Sales) | |
| Yes | Yes | |
| Safety & Healthcare | ||
| 237 | 112 | |
| 30% | 25% | |
| Demographics & Community | ||
| 23.5 | 44.2 | |
| 30% | 61% | |
| 82% | 80% | |
| Business | ||
| #11 | #38 | |
| $100/yr | $175/yr | |
| 2.9% | 3% | |
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