Livin’ the American Dream? Here’s What That Technically Costs in Maine

We’ve all used the line, or at least heard it: “Oh, you know… just livin’ the dream.” But according to new data from GoBankingRates, that dream comes with a price tag that might actually wake you up in a cold sweat.

Their latest breakdown shows just how much it really costs to live the so-called American Dream in every state. And no, they’re not talking about just surviving—they mean living comfortably: house, car, pets, a couple of kids, groceries, health insurance, and enough left over for savings.

Go Banking Rates says in Maine, the “true cost” of the American Dream is a whopping $151,734 a year. That includes a total annual cost of $75,867, which covers things like groceries ($9,197), a mortgage ($11,628), utilities, transportation, and maybe having a pet or two. 

So where does Maine land on the national scale? We’re currently ranked #31 for most expensive, which means we’re no California (#2) or Hawaii (#1), but we’re also nowhere near the bargain bin. That would be Mississippi, coming in cheapest at around $109K a year to "live the dream".

Of course, the “true American Dream” isn’t just paying your bills. It also includes 30% in discretionary income (aka: going out, vacations, impulse Target runs) and 20% toward savings. Most Mainers are out trying to dodge overdraft fees and keep up on their rents and mortgages. 

Long story short: the American Dream is climbing faster than our paychecks. Most are living paycheck‑to‑paycheck, especially in New England. Want the full state-by-state breakdown? You can check it out here—painful but enlightening.