Recommended
#1 Mover in Maine
Air Van northAmerican Van Lines
Of all the interstate movers we researched, Air Van northAmerican stood head and shoulders above the competition when it came to responsiveness, transparency with estimates, damage-free handling of possessions, and overall accountability. With over 1,800 trucks, 40,000 truck shipments per year, 1,500 local agents covering all 50 states, and a real focus on continuous improvement, this mover has the scale, resources and commitment to quality that enables them to provide an exceptionally smooth moving experience despite the complexities of long distance transportation.
Services include:
- Long distance moves
- Local moves
- Full-service moving
- Corporate relocation
- Vehicle transport
- Office moving
Contact: (877) 306-2585
Cost to Move to Maine
The cost to move to Maine can range quite a bit depending on factors like the distance of your move, how much stuff you’re bringing, and whether you hire professional movers or tackle a DIY move. How much does it cost to move to Maine? On average, you can expect to spend between $500 to $10,000+ to relocate there.
This guide covers everything that factors into moving costs. We’ll look at things like distance, packing fees, and more so you can budget for your Maine move. You’ll get typical price estimates for moves of different sizes across the state. If you want to check out some quality movers first, read our recent blog comparing top Maine companies with pricing to help your research.
Average Cost to Hire Professional Movers
Hiring a full-service moving company to handle your Maine move will be the most expensive option, but will require the least amount of work on your end. According to the data provided, you can expect to pay the following average costs:
- Studio apartment move: $533
- 1 bedroom move: $722
- 2 bedroom home move: $1,139
- 3 bedroom home move: $2,564
- 4 bedroom home move: $2,934
- 5+ bedroom home move: $4,496
The per hour rate for movers ranges from $189/hour for small moves up to $519/hour for larger homes. The number of movers and hours needed also scales up with the size of your move. As you can see, those Maine movers definitely don’t come cheap!
Average Cost for DIY Move
If you really want to pinch pennies on your move to Vacationland (yep, that’s Maine’s adorable nickname!), then a DIY move is going to be your most budget route.
Renting a truck from U-Haul or another rental company for a few days along with some moving blankets and equipment will run you between $100-$250 typically. If you can recruit a few strong friends to do the heavy lifting for you, that’s even better! Just plan to supply the pizza and beer afterwards.
Factor in gas, tolls, and lodging costs for longer drives and you could spend a few hundred bucks on a short distance DIY move or over $1,000+ for a cross country trek up I-95 in the rented truck. It won’t be luxurious, but it’ll get you and your stuff there.
Average Cost for Interstate Moves
According to the data provided, if you need to hire long distance or interstate movers to go more than 100+ miles, you can expect to pay approximately:
- Maine to California move: $4,792 – $8,435
- Maine to New York move: $2,109 – $4,728
- Maine to Illinois move: $3,033 – $6,442
- Maine to Texas move: $3,910 – $6,980
- Maine to Arizona move: $4,445 – $7,822
As you cross state lines, costs go up due to factors like increased mileage, multi-day packing/transit, staging extra movers, etc. It pays to get quotes from a few different interstate moving companies to make sure you’re getting a fair rate.
Factors That Affect the Moving Cost
From the distance traveled to the time of year you move, many variables impact the overall cost to move to Maine. Being aware of these key factors will help you plan and budget better.
Distance of Move
As a rule of thumb, the further you have to haul your stuff, the more you’ll be charged. Even when moving within Maine, going from, say Portland to Bangor, will cost you more than just relocating within the Portland suburbs. There’s more gas, time, and energy expended traveling longer distances.
Size of Shipment
The more stuff you want to transport equal higher moving costs. Whether you need an entire house packed and loaded or just a few essentials, movers base prices partly on the volume being shipped and how much space/weight allowances are required. More items = bigger truck + trailer needed = higher cost.
Type of Move
As outlined above already, choosing DIY packing and moving has big potential savings over hiring pros to handle everything for you. But keep in mind, doing it all alone also has added risks of damage plus lots more sweat equity! There are middle ground options too like renting a portable container that gets delivered cross country while you load and unload the contents yourself.
Additional Services
Full-service movers don’t just provide the manpower and truck space. For an added fee, they can fully wrap and pack each item, arrange storage, handle vehicle shipping, unpack upon arrival, and more. Handing off those tasks saves you time and hassle but adds to the total spent on your Maine move.
Time of Year
Like airfare and hotels, moving industry prices fluctuate some by season. Peak demand runs June through August when the weather is ideal. Students graduate and families with kids naturally aim to relocate during summer break from school. As you’d expect, more demand = higher prices from movers.
Fuel Costs
With fluctuating diesel and gas prices directly affecting transportation budgets, some interstate moving companies add on fuel surcharges when oil prices spike upwards to help offset their rising fuel costs. Be sure to clarify if any surcharges would apply with bids you receive.
Best Places to Live in Maine
Part of the excitement of a moving to a new state like Maine is exploring potential hometowns! Here are some of the most popular places new residents are flocking to:
Portland
Portland offers fantastic restaurants and bars downtown along with a growing art and music scene. Thanks to all the recent revitalization, it’s becoming quite a “hipster” spot. The Old Port waterfront area is postcard perfect. With a metro population of over 500,000, it definitely has more hustle and bustle than other Maine locales. Monthly rents run approximately $1,700 for a 1 bedroom downtown. Be prepared for some sticker shock on buying a home here – average sales prices exceed $400k!
Bangor
Further up I-95 heading towards the Canadian border sits Bangor. With ritzy neighborhoods full of Victorian mansions and a quaint downtown district along the Penobscot River, Bangor balances historic architecture with modern entertainment. The job market focuses on healthcare, education, and retail. It also boasts high rankings for quality and affordable childcare – a major perk for families relocating there. Median listed home prices sit around $150k.
Bar Harbor
Ready to channel your inner Eat, Pray, Love journeys through coastal towns filled with lobster shacks and lighthouses? Then pop over to Bar Harbor! Situated on gorgeous Mount Desert Island, this Downeast hot spot sits alongside the country’s oldest National Park – Acadia National Park. With artist colonies, sailing tours, and stunning hikes, it draws visitors globally but retains charm through small communities. Due to tourist demand, home values are quite high, averaging over $325k.
Biddeford
For a hip but affordable spot just 30 minutes south of big city Portland, consider checking out historic mill town turned artist enclave Biddeford. With revitalized brick factories and warehouses converted to lofts surrounded by trendy cafes and microbreweries, it offers an appealing lifestyle plus easy highway access. Median home asking prices land around $225k – significantly lower than nearby areas.
Other Notable Cities/Towns
- Cape Elizabeth = Pristine beaches + top ranked schools
- Lewiston-Auburn = Affordable twin cities with parks
- Kennebunkport = Gorgeous coastal resort town
- Scarborough = Family friendly ‘burb of Portland
Wherever you choose to plant new roots, Maine offers charm to spare! Just be strategic in planning your target moving dates and costs.
Job Market and Economy
Historically, Maine’s economy depended largely on agricultural and industries like fishing, paper mills, textiles, and ship building. These traditional fields still play a role, but emerging sectors bringing fresh career opportunities help supplement the job market too.
Major Industries and Top Employers
- Forestry/Lumber
- Fishing/Aquaculture
- Healthcare – Maine Medical Center
- Education – multiple universities plus school districts
- Government & Military – Naval Shipyard Bath Iron Works
- Tourism/Hospitality – Acadia National Park, ski resorts
- Manufacturing – from boats to circuit boards
Emerging Sectors
- Technology – Odoo develops business apps
- Biotech – IDEXX pioneers pet diagnostic innovations
- Renewables – wind and tidal power generation
Unemployment recently measured under 3% statewide – demonstrating decent economic stability. Average weekly wages also best the national median by nearly $100 more per week.
New workers relocating to Maine may qualify for various incentives like income tax breaks or student loan relief too under the Live + Work in Maine initiative. Contact state officials to learn more.
Cost of Living
Compared to other northeastern states, Maine’s cost of living remains somewhat more affordable overall. However, that’s not to say you won’t need to budget wisely, especially when housing prices keep climbing!
Housing
Whether you plan to buy or rent, secure shelter tops the list for moving cost concerns. Over 2022, median home sale values rose over 8% to nearly $400k statewide. If purchasing, southern Maine coast and Portland push average prices above half a million dollars.
Even tenants deal with record rents, now exceeding $1,700 monthly for a Portland 1 bedroom apartment. Explore areas 10-20 miles inland from the water to find more reasonable rentals around $1,100 per month. Just prepare for possible trade offs on space or updates.
Utilities
Between heating fuel, electricity, internet and waste removal, most Maine homeowners spend approximately $250-$350 monthly on utilities and related housing bills. Costs skew higher in the colder months obviously. Rent often includes heat/hot water and trash fees, so clarify exactly what utilities you must cover separately.
Goods & Services
Since eating out means paying nearly 9% in meal taxes and overall sales tax hits 5.5%, you may cringe slightly more handing over bills at registers or restaurants compared to other states. But your net pay goes further in terms of groceries, childcare, and some other regular purchases relative to incomes.
Taxes
While Maine exempts Social Security benefits from being taxed (unlike many states), the overall income tax rates actually lean high compared to national rankings. Maine’s maximum brackets exceed 7%, hitting hardest on higher earning households. Property taxes vary widely by specific location and county from 0.5% to over 2% of assessed valuations.
Education & Schools
Highly rated educational institutions help attract new residents to the Pine Tree State as well. From Ivy league caliber colleges to nationally ranked public school districts, Maine invests wisely in its future workforce.
Top Universities
Bowdoin, Bates, Colby, University of Maine, University of Southern Maine
Best School Districts K-12
Cape Elizabeth, Yarmouth, Falmouth, Scarborough, Cumberland, Brunswick
Maine also tries incentivizing recent college grads to move there by offering an income tax credit letting you deduct student loan payments you make throughout the year from owed state tax bills. Qualifying criteria applies for new residents who attended university anywhere in the country since 2016.
Outdoor Activities
Sure, Maine may lure newcomers through job prospects, real estate listings or family ties. But the chance to immerse in spectacular nature from sea to mountain peaks seals the deal for fresh air fanatics.
- Skiing – Sugarloaf and Sunday River resorts tempt winter enthusiasts.
- Hiking – Tackle over 200 pristine miles of Appalachian Trail traversing the state or explore Acadia National Park’s iconic peaks and valleys near Bar Harbor.
- Fishing – Hook a trophy trout from abundant lakes and streams or try landing Atlantic salmon runs. Don’t forget the lobster pots either!
- Hunting – Bag a deer or moose roaming millions of acres of vibrant forest.
- Boating – Sail majestic harbors dotted with lighthouses or kayak the unspoiled coastline and inland waterways.
Talk about a recreational paradise filled with stunning vistas! Just acquire the proper licenses and gear ahead of time before enjoying so many natural wonders.
Pros and Cons of Living in Maine
Before packing all your worldly possessions off to Vacationland, let’s weigh a few of the pros and cons to living in Maine:
Pros
- Breathtaking natural beauty and outdoor recreation
- Tight knit small town communities band together
- Low crime rates enhance feeling of security
- Plentiful cultural attractions and culinary delights
- Vibrant four season climate keeps life exciting
Cons
- Isolated location limits accessibility and resources
- Harsh, drawn out winters with heavy snows
- Mosquito swarms plague woodlands spring through fall
- Lack of diversity across population and economy
- Sluggish job market dominated by seasonal opportunities
FAQs about Moving to Maine
Is buying a home affordable in Maine?
- Compared to starter homes in other northeast metro areas, Maine remains somewhat reasonably priced still, averaging just under $400k. Expect significantly higher values along popular southern coastal towns though. Greater bargains get found as you move inland away from the immediate ocean.
Do retirement funds go further living in Maine?
- Between not taxing Social Security benefits plus exemption of military pensions and 401k/IRA distributions for some seniors, retirement savings see less erosion overall to state taxes versus more expensive parts of the U.S.
What adjustments do people make moving to Maine?
- Having the proper winter attire cannot get overstated! Also stocking up on fuel assistance funds and snow removal tools before the blizzards hit. Finding friends through community/church groups helps newcomers acclimate smoother too. Locals tend to openly embrace transplants who express genuine appreciation for Pine Tree charm.
Conclusion
Hoping to trade traffic jams for lighthouses along Maine’s rocky coastline someday soon? As you weigh the pros and cons of moving to Vacationland, use the cost data and insider tips provided to make wiser financial decisions. With proper planning around long distance movers and securing affordable housing, you’ll be steaming and feasting on plump lobster rolls beside the sea in no time while giving the rest of world the pine tree wave goodbye!
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