Sorrento or Maiori

It really depends on what specific day trips you wish to take, but if only visiting other Amalfi Coast villages, I would choose Maiori for the reasons you stated (less expensive, less crowded) and the bonus reason that you can hike right onto a nice trail all the way to Ravello (path of the lemons). Even if you wish to visit Pompeii or Naples, you are close to the mainland and have access to the train in Salerno.
Your ferry rides will also be much shorter: https://www.travelmar.it/en/index

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Dan, Maori will likely be much cheaper. We based at a rental in Minori last year and there at a greengrocer, once met a retired American Uni soccer coach. He boasted about renting every winter in Maori, where apparently he had an apartment that cost him a fraction of elsewhere along the coast. We also shopped at both of Maori's bigger supermarkets. Maiori is at one end of the charming Path of the Lemons trail.

Btw, we posted a quirky and looooong TR about our lengthy stay in Minori, then an additional TR about our following 2 weeks at a rental on Ischia. You might benefit from a looksee. Both reports are over on the Fodor's forum, where I go by the handle 'zebec':
-Costa d'Amalfi: a TR
-Beyond Capri: an Ischia TR

I am done. The end.

access to other regions appears good.

Based on what information? (I have not been to Maiori.)

Since you have five nights on Ischia, you might want to stay in busy resort-town Sorrento to facilitate daytrips like Pompeii or Naples or Capri. I'm sure Maiori is very attractive, but it is an isolated town in an isolated area. If that's your target, fine. The AC is a high-cost area, even if you find a cheap room. I mean, the SITA bus is really cheap, but car-and-driver services know what the going rate is.

I'm kind of an encyclopedic tourist, but even I did not see any reason to tour the entire AC. I was disappointed with Positano, loved Ravello, and thought Amalfi was fine. We did not have time to travel to Paestum from Sorrento. It's just too far for a daytrip. Yes, you could do it, maybe with a ferry to Salerno. But not my idea of a nice day out. I'm only saying this to suggest thinking about what you are going to do in Maiori.

Seeking more of a home base. Looking for more of a quite town to sleep and start our travels to other locations from. Don't want to fight the crowds to get onto a ferry or bus, I've seen those videos. Can we access a ferry from the port there. I would also like to hire a smaller boat to tour the coast. We live on maui so we love the beach life. My wife enjoys taking pics with her new 35mm camera. That should be fun to pack around. Haha
Mainly just a place to sleep, maybe have breakfast and dinner after traveling to other locations. Go for a walk in the evening hours.

I recently went on the RS tour of South Italy. We spent two nights in Maiori and two nights in Sorrento.

I really enjoyed staying in Maiori as it was lively without being overwhelmed with tourists. The ferry to many other locations was easy to access and there are hikes as well. The evenings were lovely.

On the other hand, I liked Sorrento as well! It is much busier and more touristy, but still fun. I don’t think you can really go wrong. Maybe split your time as we did?

We are also looking to stay in Maiori or Minori for the same reasons as you. We are planning mid October. I am curious as to what you decide on and why.

We stayed in Minori late last summer and lovrd it. Very peaceful with several great restaurants. We stayed at Antica Reghinna Luxury Rooms. It was quiet at night with large room and great air conditioning. Also a wonderful, helpful owner. Maiori has better ferry service, but it is a very short bus ride from Minori to Maiori.

I booked an Airbnb in Amalfi town. Since it’s our first visit I didn’t want to experience any issues with transportation to other regions. The town appears to have everything closeby. I removed a day because I wanted to add an additional day in Ischia.