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Massachusetts to Maine Moving Guide

Updated June 24, 2025

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Planning a 254 mile interstate move from Massachusetts to Maine? This moving guide will help you compare living in Massachusetts vs Maine across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high cost of living vs more affordable living), food & health (like Clam Chowder vs Lobster Roll), real estate & housing (colonial, cape cod vs cape cod, farmhouse), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Massachusetts), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Clam Chowder and Boston Baked Beans, but get your taste buds ready for Lobster Roll & Lobster
  • Maine housing costs are 36% less expensive than they are in Massachusetts
  • Rent in Maine is 28.45% more affordable than in Massachusetts
  • Moving from Massachusetts to Maine will cost on average between $1,000 - $4,000
  • Our top recommended Massachusetts to Maine movers is Paradise Moving & Storage

Massachusetts to Maine Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Massachusetts to Maine

ConsMassachusetts iconMassachusetts
  • High cost of living
  • Heavy traffic congestion
  • Crowded urban areas
  • Dense population
  • Noisy environment
ProsMaine iconMaine
  • More affordable living
  • Less traffic
  • Spacious landscapes
  • Sparser population
  • Quieter surroundings

Maine iconMaine
  • Fewer cultural events
  • Limited higher education
  • Fewer job opportunities
  • Less diversity
  • Smaller art community
Massachusetts iconMassachusetts
  • Rich cultural heritage
  • Top-tier universities
  • Better job market
  • Diverse population
  • Thriving arts scene

Pros of moving from Massachusetts to Maine

  • Say goodbye to the high cost of living and hello to more affordable living
  • Look forward to moving away from heavy traffic congestion and moving to Maine with less traffic
  • Swap the crowded urban areas of Massachusetts for spacious landscapes in Maine
  • Get ready for a sparser population in Maine

Cons of moving from Massachusetts to Maine

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the rich cultural heritage in Massachusetts to live with fewer cultural events in Maine
  • You'll lose out on the pro of top-tier universities and have to settle with the con of limited higher education
  • Time to bid farewell to a better job market and get used to fewer job opportunities in Maine
  • Swap a diverse population for less diversity

Massachusetts vs. Maine: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonMassachusettsMaine
Most iconic local food itemClam ChowderLobster Roll
Most popular meat dishBoston Baked BeansLobster
Most popular street food itemCannoliItalian Sandwich
Most popular vegan foodJacked Fruit TacosSeaweed Salad
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Neptune Oyster
  • Union Oyster House
  • Mama Maria's
Fitness/Health ConscientiousnessπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺ
Abundance of Food Trucks🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚
Foodie Scene🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴
Vegan Friendly🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱

If you're moving from Massachusetts to Maine, you will be trading the iconic Clam Chowder of Massachusetts for the equally delicious Lobster Roll of Maine. And while the locals in Massachusetts rave about their flavorful Boston Baked Beans and sumptuous Cannoli, Maine residents know they have tasty Lobster and Italian Sandwich to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Jackfruit Tacos they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Seaweed Salad of Maine. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Massachusetts eateries like Neptune Oyster, Union Oyster House, and Mama Maria's. 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 Duckfat.

When comparing lifestyles, Maine shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Massachusetts. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Maine, compared to what you are used to in Massachusetts. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in Maine.

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Massachusetts and Maine

ComparisonMassachusettsMaine
Typical Architecture StyleColonial, Cape CodCape Cod, Farmhouse
WalkabilityπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘Ÿ
Bikeability🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲
Urban LifestyleπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈ
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listingClose to public transportation, Granite countertopsWaterfront access, Large acreage
  • The Colonial and Cape Cod architecture that Massachusetts is known for will be replaced with the Cape Cod and Farmhouse architecture typical of Maine.
  • Compared to Massachusetts's real estate listings that commonly reference access to public transportation and granite countertops, Maine real estate listings often highlight features like waterfront access and large acreage.
  • You can keep your walking shoes packed away. Maine is less walkable than Massachusetts.
  • You might want to think twice before moving your bike. Maine is less bike-friendly than Massachusetts.
  • Maine has less of an urban feel than Massachusetts.
  • Maine housing costs are 36% less expensive than they are in Massachusetts, with a median home price of $392,358 compared to Massachusetts’s $612,509.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Maine have increased by 70% compared to a 46% increase in Massachusetts.
  • Rent in Maine is 28.45% more affordable than in Massachusetts.

Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Massachusetts and Maine

ComparisonMassachusettsMaine
Days of Sunshine per Yearβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈ
Avg. Annual HumidityπŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦
Avg. UV IndexπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈ
Natural DisastersNor'easters, BlizzardsNor'easters, Blizzards, Coastal Erosion
Air QualityGoodVery Good
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)80Β°F/60Β°F70Β°F/50Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)37Β°F/22Β°F31Β°F/11Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)47.745.7
Annual Snowfall (Inches)5175
  • The shades won't be used as much for your move from Massachusetts to Maine. Maine gets 1% fewer sunshine days than Massachusetts.
  • Maine has higher humidity and a similar average UV index compared to Massachusetts.
  • Say goodbye to the possible nor'easters and blizzards in Massachusetts, but be on the lookout for potential nor'easters, blizzards, and coastal erosion in Maine.
  • Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in Maine is 10 degrees colder than in Massachusetts.
  • The average winter lows are 11 degrees colder than they are in Massachusetts.
  • Your umbrella might be neglected in Maine. Maine receives 2 fewer inches of rain compared to Massachusetts.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Massachusetts and Maine

ComparisonMassachusettsMaine
Avg. Household Income$94,488$69,543
Cost of Living Index121.55116.5
State Income Tax5.007.15
Avg. Property Tax1.231.30
Avg. Sales Tax6.255.50
Top 3 IndustriesEducation, Healthcare, FinanceHealthcare, Tourism, Manufacturing
AffluenceHighAverage
PovertyLowModerate
HomelessnessVisibleLess Visible
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Maine tend to earn about 26% less than in Massachusetts
  • The COLI in Maine is 4% lower than what you are used to living in Massachusetts
  • The state income tax in ME is 7.15 compared to 5.00 in MA
  • The affluence in Maine is average compared to high in Massachusetts
  • The poverty level is moderate in Maine compared to low in Massachusetts
  • In terms of homelessness, it is visible in Massachusetts and less visible in Maine

Political and Religious Climate in Massachusetts vs. Maine

ComparisonMassachusettsMaine
Political Make-upLiberal/DemocraticModerate with a lean towards Democratic
Local PoliticsHighly active political sceneCommunity-focused with significant individual participation
ReligionCatholicism predominant, diverse religious communitiesProtestant majority, but with growing diversity in religious practice
  • Massachusetts tends to lean Liberal/Democratic in its political climate
  • Maine, on the other hand, is often described as moderate with a lean towards Democratic
  • Maine's religious environment can be described as a Protestant majority but with growing diversity in religious practice
  • Massachusetts' residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as predominantly Catholic with diverse religious communities

Education Guide When Moving from Massachusetts to Maine

ComparisonMassachusettsMaine
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)MIT (Cambridge)
Harvard University (Cambridge)
Tufts University (Medford)
University of Maine (Orono)
Bowdoin College (Brunswick)
Bates College (Lewiston)
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsJoseph E. Fiske Elementary (Wellesley)
Ambrose Elementary (Winchester)
Vinson-Owen Elementary (Winchester)
Cape Elizabeth Elementary (Cape Elizabeth)
Yarmouth Elementary (Yarmouth)
Falmouth Elementary (Falmouth)
Top 3 Middle SchoolsWilliam Diamond Middle School (Lexington)
Blanchard Middle School (Westford)
McCall Middle School (Winchester)
Cape Elizabeth Middle School (Cape Elizabeth)
Yarmouth Middle School (Yarmouth)
Falmouth Middle School (Falmouth)
Top 3 High SchoolsBoston Latin School (Boston)
Lexington High School (Lexington)
Brookline High School (Brookline)
Cape Elizabeth High School (Cape Elizabeth)
Yarmouth High School (Yarmouth)
Falmouth High School (Falmouth)
Top 3 private high schoolsPhillips Academy (Andover)
Noble and Greenough School (Dedham)
Milton Academy (Milton)
Waynflete School (Portland)
North Yarmouth Academy (Yarmouth)
Berwick Academy (South Berwick)
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsThe Roxbury Latin School (West Roxbury)
Buckingham Browne & Nichols School (Cambridge)
Milton Academy (Milton)
Waynflete School (Portland)
North Yarmouth Academy (Yarmouth)
Berwick Academy (South Berwick)
Top 3 School DistrictsWeston School District (Weston)
Lexington School District (Lexington)
Wellesley School District (Wellesley)
Falmouth School District (Falmouth)
Cape Elizabeth School District (Cape Elizabeth)
Yarmouth School District (Yarmouth)

How Much Do Massachusetts to Maine Movers Cost?

Moving 254 miles from Massachusetts to Maine will typically cost between $1,500 and $4,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.

  • Expected Range: $1,500 - $4,000
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-3 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Centaur Moving
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,145300 ft3$3.82
1 Bedroom$1,698450 ft3$3.77
2 Bedrooms$2,798750 ft3$3.73
3 Bedrooms$4,0561100 ft3$3.69
4 Bedrooms$5,8321600 ft3$3.65
5+ Bedrooms$6,4851800 ft3$3.60

Top Massachusetts to Maine Movers

Read our in-depth analysis of the best Massachusetts to Maine movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

TOP PICK
Paradise Moving & Storage featured image

Paradise Moving & Storage

Best moving company overall for Massachusetts to Maine

9.71/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
Stairhopper Movers featured image

Stairhopper Movers

9.66/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
Varsity Movers LLC featured image

Varsity Movers LLC

9.66/10
ExceptionalView details
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