DC to Maine Moving Guide
Updated June 5, 2025

Planning a 672 mile interstate move from DC to Maine? This moving guide will help you compare living in DC vs Maine across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like traffic congestion vs less crowded roads), food & health (like Half-Smoke vs Lobster Roll), real estate & housing (federal and victorian vs colonial and cape cod), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in DC), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Half-Smoke and Mumbo Sauce Wings, but get your taste buds ready for Lobster Roll & Clam Chowder
- Maine housing costs are 37% less expensive than they are in DC
- Rent in Maine is 24.29% more affordable than in DC
- Moving from DC to Maine will cost on average between $1,500 - $5,000
- Our top recommended DC to Maine movers is Bookstore Movers
DC to Maine Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from DC to Maine
- Traffic congestion
- Busy city life
- High cost of living
- Lack of natural scenery
- Less crowded roads
- Slower, quieter pace
- More affordable housing
- Abundant natural beauty
- Fewer cultural events
- Limited transportation options
- Fewer restaurants
- Fewer historical sites
- Vibrant culture
- Public transportation
- Diverse dining options
- Rich history
Pros of moving from DC to Maine
- Say goodbye to traffic congestion and hello to less crowded roads
- Look forward to moving away from busy city life and moving to Maine with a slower, quieter pace
- Swap the high cost of living in DC for more affordable housing in Maine
- Get ready for abundant natural beauty in Maine
Cons of moving from DC to Maine
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from vibrant culture in DC to live with fewer cultural events in Maine
- You'll lose out on the pro of public transportation and have to settle for the con of limited transportation options
- Time to bid farewell to diverse dining options and get used to fewer restaurants in Maine
- Swap rich history for fewer historical sites
DC vs. Maine: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | DC | Maine |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Half-Smoke | Lobster Roll |
Most popular meat dish | Mumbo Sauce Wings | Clam Chowder |
Most popular street food item | Jumbo Slice Pizza | Italian Sandwich |
Most popular vegan food | Vegan Soul Food | Vegan Lobster Rolls |
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state |
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Fitness/Health Conscientiousness | 💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪 | 💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪 |
Abundance of Food Trucks | 🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚 | 🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚 |
Foodie Scene | 🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴 | 🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴 |
Vegan Friendly | 🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱 | 🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱 |
If you're moving from DC to Maine, you will be trading the iconic Half-Smoke of DC for the equally delicious Lobster Roll of Maine. And while the locals in DC rave about their flavorful Mumbo Sauce Wings and sumptuous Jumbo Slice Pizza, Maine residents know they have tasty Clam Chowder and Italian Sandwiches to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Vegan Soul Food they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Vegan Lobster Rolls of Maine. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic DC eateries like Ben's Chili Bowl, Zaytinya, and Le Diplomate. After the boxes are unpacked in Maine, don't wait too long before making your way to Maine's acclaimed eateries like Eventide Oyster Co., Fore Street, and DiMillo's On The Water.
When comparing lifestyles, Maine shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than DC. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Maine compared to what you are used to in DC. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in Maine.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between DC and Maine
Comparison | DC | Maine |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Federal and Victorian | Colonial and Cape Cod |
Walkability | 👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟 | 👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟 |
Bikeability | 🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲 | 🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲 |
Urban Lifestyle | 🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️ | 🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Proximity to metro, historic charm | Access to nature, large lots |
- The Federal and Victorian architecture that DC is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Cape Cod architecture typical of Maine.
- Compared to DC's real estate listings that commonly reference proximity to the metro and historic charm, Maine real estate listings often highlight features like access to nature and large lots.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away. Maine is less walkable than DC.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike. Maine is less bike-friendly than DC.
- Maine has less of an urban feel than DC.
- Maine housing costs are 37% less expensive than they are in DC, with a median home price of $392,358 compared to DC’s $619,320.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Maine have increased by 70% compared to an 8% increase in DC.
- Rent in Maine is 24.29% more affordable than in DC.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between DC and Maine
Comparison | DC | Maine |
---|---|---|
Days of Sunshine per Year | ☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️ | ☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️ |
Avg. Annual Humidity | 💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦 | 💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦 |
Avg. UV Index | 🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️ | 🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️ |
Natural Disasters | Hurricanes, Flooding | Snowstorms, Flooding |
Air Quality | Moderate | Good |
Average Summer High/Low (°F) | 88/71 | 79/59 |
Average Winter High/Low (°F) | 47/29 | 31/13 |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 40.8 | 46.6 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 15.4 | 75 |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from DC to Maine. Maine gets 2% fewer sunshine days than DC.
- Maine has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to DC.
- Say goodbye to the possible hurricanes and flooding in DC, but be on the lookout for potential snowstorms and flooding in Maine.
- Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in Maine is 9 degrees colder than in DC.
- The average winter lows are 16 degrees colder than they are in DC.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Maine. Maine receives 5.8 more inches of rain compared to DC.
Financial & Community Snapshot: DC and Maine
Comparison | DC | Maine |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $101,027 | $69,543 |
Cost of Living Index | 140.1 | 116.5 |
State Income Tax | 8.5% | 7.15% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.55% | 1.30% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6.00% | 5.50% |
Top 3 Industries | Government, Education, Tech | Healthcare, Education, Retail |
Affluence | Wealthy | Modest |
Poverty | Moderate | Low |
Homelessness | High | Low |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Maine tend to earn about 31% less than in DC
- The COLI in Maine will be 17% lower than what you are used to living in DC
- The state income tax in ME is 7.15% compared to 8.5% in DC
- The affluence in Maine is modest compared to the wealthy in DC
- The poverty level is low in Maine compared to moderate in DC
- In terms of homelessness, it is high in DC and low in Maine
Political and Religious Climate in DC vs. Maine
Comparison | DC | Maine |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Heavily Democratic | Leans Democratic |
Local Politics | DC Council | <a href="https://legislature.maine.gov/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Maine Legislature</a> |
Religion | Diverse | Primarily Christian |
- DC tends to lean heavily Democratic in its political climate
- Maine, on the other hand, is often described as leaning Democratic
- Maine's religious environment can be described as primarily Christian
- DC's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as diverse
Education Guide When Moving from DC to Maine
Comparison | DC | Maine |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | Georgetown University George Washington University Howard University | University of Maine Bowdoin College Bates College |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Hyde-Addison Elementary School Mann Elementary School Janney Elementary School | Yarmouth Elementary School Falmouth Elementary School Cumberland North Yarmouth Academy |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Deal Middle School Hardy Middle School Eliot-Hine Middle School | Falmouth Middle School Yarmouth Middle School Brunswick Jr. High School |
Top 3 High Schools | School Without Walls Benjamin Banneker High School Banneker Academy | Yarmouth High School Falmouth High School Cape Elizabeth High School |
Top 3 private high schools | Sidwell Friends School Georgetown Day School National Cathedral School | Waynflete School (Portland) Berwick Academy (South Berwick) Hebron Academy (Hebron) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Maret School Sidwell Friends School Georgetown Day School | Waynflete School (Portland) North Yarmouth Academy (Yarmouth) Berwick Academy (South Berwick) |
Top 3 School Districts | DC Public Schools | Falmouth School District Yarmouth School Department Cape Elizabeth School Department |
How Much Do DC to Maine Movers Cost?
Moving 672 miles from DC to Maine will typically cost between $2,000 and $5,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $2,000 - $5,000
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-2 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Mic's Moving
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,346 | 300 ft3 | $4.49 |
1 Bedroom | $2,000 | 450 ft3 | $4.44 |
2 Bedrooms | $3,301 | 750 ft3 | $4.40 |
3 Bedrooms | $4,795 | 1100 ft3 | $4.36 |
4 Bedrooms | $6,906 | 1600 ft3 | $4.32 |
5+ Bedrooms | $7,693 | 1800 ft3 | $4.27 |
Top DC to Maine Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best DC to Maine movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.