Side-by-side comparison of mortgage costs, property taxes, closing costs, and homeowners insurance between Illinois and Maine. Updated for 2026.
Metric
Illinois
Maine
Median Home Price
$270K
$350K
Property Tax Rate
2.07%
1.3%
Avg Closing Costs
$5K
$5K
Closing Cost %
2.0%
1.5%
Transfer Tax
0.1%
0.44%
Homeowners Insurance
$1,900/yr
$1,300/yr
First-Time Buyer Program
IHDA 1stHomeIllinois
$7,500 forgivable loan
MaineHousing First Home
$5,000 Advantage grant
Verdict
Maine wins 4 of 6 cost categories, making it the more affordable state for homebuyers overall. However, Illinois has a lower total cost when combining home price, closing costs, and insurance. Both states offer first-time buyer programs — explore the state pages for full details.