Maine to Idaho Moving Guide
Updated June 12, 2025

Planning a 2,788 mile interstate move from Maine to Idaho? This moving guide will help you compare living in Maine vs Idaho across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like long winters vs milder climate), food & health (like Lobster vs Potatoes), real estate & housing (cape cod, colonial vs ranch, craftsman), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Maine), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Lobster and Lobster Roll, but get your taste buds ready for Potatoes & Idaho Trout
- Idaho housing costs are 15% more expensive than they are in Maine
- Rent in Idaho is 11.08% more affordable than in Maine
- Moving from Maine to Idaho will cost on average between $3,000 - $10,000
- Our top recommended Maine to Idaho movers is 208 Moving Company
Maine to Idaho Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Maine to Idaho
- Long winters
- High cost of living
- Limited job market
- Far from national parks
- Milder climate
- Affordable housing
- Diverse opportunities
- Close to nature
- No ocean access
- Lack of historic sites
- Limited fresh seafood
- Less cultural diversity
- Coastal beauty
- Rich history
- Local seafood
- Charming small towns
Pros of moving from Maine to Idaho
- Say goodbye to long winters and hello to milder climate
- Look forward to moving away from the high cost of living and moving to Idaho with affordable housing
- Swap the limited job market of Maine for diverse opportunities in Idaho
- Get ready for close proximity to nature in Idaho
Cons of moving from Maine to Idaho
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the coastal beauty in Maine to live with no ocean access in Idaho
- You'll lose out on the pro of rich history and have to settle with the con of a lack of historic sites
- Time to bid farewell to local seafood and get used to limited fresh seafood in Idaho
- Swap charming small towns for less cultural diversity
Maine vs. Idaho: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Maine | Idaho |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Lobster | Potatoes |
Most popular meat dish | Lobster Roll | Idaho Trout |
Most popular street food item | Italian Sandwich | Fries with Idaho Fry Sauce |
Most popular vegan food | Wild Blueberry Pie | Quinoa Salad |
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state |
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Fitness/Health Conscientiousness | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ |
Abundance of Food Trucks | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Foodie Scene | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ |
Vegan Friendly | π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π± | π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π± |
If you're moving from Maine to Idaho, you will be trading the iconic Lobster of Maine for the equally delicious Potatoes of Idaho. And while the locals in Maine rave about their flavorful Lobster Roll and sumptuous Italian Sandwich, Idaho residents know they have tasty Idaho Trout and Fries with Idaho Fry Sauce to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Wild Blueberry Pie they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Quinoa Salad of Idaho. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Maine eateries like Eventide Oyster Co., Fore Street, and Duckfat. After the boxes are unpacked in Idaho, don't wait too long before making your way to Idaho's acclaimed eateries like Boise Fry Company, State & Lemp, and Westside Drive-In.
When comparing lifestyles, Idaho shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Maine. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Idaho, compared to what you are used to in Maine. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in Idaho.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Maine and Idaho
Comparison | Maine | Idaho |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Cape Cod, Colonial | Ranch, Craftsman |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Ocean views, Proximity to nature | Mountain views, Access to outdoor activities |
- The Cape Cod and Colonial architecture that Maine is known for will be replaced with the Ranch and Craftsman architecture typical of Idaho.
- Compared to Maine's real estate listings that commonly reference ocean views and proximity to nature, Idaho real estate listings often highlight features like mountain views and access to outdoor activities.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes; Idaho is more walkable than Maine.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike; Idaho is more bike-friendly than Maine.
- Idaho has more of an urban feel than Maine.
- Idaho housing costs are 15% more expensive than they are in Maine, with a median home price of $451,298 compared to Maineβs $392,358.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Idaho have increased by 69% compared to a 70% increase in Maine.
- Rent in Idaho is 11.08% more affordable than in Maine.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Maine and Idaho
Comparison | Maine | Idaho |
---|---|---|
Days of Sunshine per Year | βοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈ | βοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈ |
Avg. Annual Humidity | π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦ | π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦ |
Avg. UV Index | πΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈ | πΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈ |
Natural Disasters | Blizzards, Ice Storms | Wildfires, Earthquakes |
Air Quality | Good | Varies (Good to Moderate) |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 70Β°F / 50Β°F | 85Β°F / 50Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 31Β°F / 13Β°F | 37Β°F / 23Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 43 | 12-20 (varies by region) |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 75 | 60 |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Maine to Idaho. Idaho gets 4% more sunshine days than Maine.
- Idaho has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Maine.
- Say goodbye to the possible blizzards and ice storms in Maine, but be on the lookout for potential wildfires and earthquakes in Idaho.
- Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Idaho is 15 degrees warmer than in Maine.
- The average winter lows are 10 degrees warmer than they are in Maine.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Idaho. Idaho receives 31 fewer inches of rain compared to Maine.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Maine and Idaho
Comparison | Maine | Idaho |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $69,543 | $72,785 |
Cost of Living Index | 116.5 | 91.5 |
State Income Tax | 7.15% | 6.925% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.3% | 0.75% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 5.5% | 6% |
Top 3 Industries | Healthcare, Tourism, Fishing | Agriculture, Technology, Manufacturing |
Affluence | Moderate | Rising |
Poverty | Stable | Fluctuating |
Homelessness | Low | Moderate |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Idaho tend to earn about 5% more than in Maine
- The COLI in Idaho will be 21% lower than what you are used to living in Maine
- The state income tax in ID is 6.925% compared to 7.15% in ME
- The affluence in Idaho is rising compared to moderate affluence in Maine
- The poverty level is fluctuating in Idaho compared to stable poverty in Maine
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in Maine and moderate in Idaho
Political and Religious Climate in Maine vs. Idaho
Comparison | Maine | Idaho |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Leans Democratic | Strongly Republican |
Local Politics | Community-Oriented | Conservative Values |
Religion | Less Religiously Affiliated | Christianity Predominant |
- Maine tends to lean Democratic in its political climate
- Idaho, on the other hand, is often described as strongly Republican
- Idaho's religious environment can be described as predominantly Christian
- Maine's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as less religiously affiliated
Education Guide When Moving from Maine to Idaho
Comparison | Maine | Idaho |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Maine Bates College Bowdoin College | Boise State University University of Idaho Idaho State University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Cape Elizabeth School Falmouth Elementary School Yarmouth Elementary School | Longfellow Elementary School - Boise White Pine Elementary - Boise Anser Charter School - Garden City |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Yarmouth Middle School Cape Elizabeth Middle School Falmouth Middle School | North Junior High School - Boise Lakeside Middle School - Plummer Heritage Middle School - Meridian |
Top 3 High Schools | Yarmouth High School Cape Elizabeth High School Falmouth High School | Boise High School - Boise Timberline High School - Boise Renaissance High School - Meridian |
Top 3 private high schools | Waynflete School - Portland Berwick Academy - South Berwick George Stevens Academy - Blue Hill | Bishop Kelly High School - Boise The Ambrose School - Meridian Coeur d'Alene Charter Academy - Coeur d'Alene |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Waynflete School - Portland Berwick Academy - South Berwick Chop Point School - Woolwich | The Ambrose School - Meridian Riverstone International School - Boise Coeur d'Alene Charter Academy - Coeur d'Alene |
Top 3 School Districts | Falmouth School District Yarmouth Schools Cape Elizabeth Schools | Boise School District West Ada School District Coeur d'Alene School District |
How Much Do Maine to Idaho Movers Cost?
Moving 2,788 miles from Maine to Idaho will typically cost between $4,000 and $10,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $4,000 - $10,000
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Valley Custom Moving
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $2,783 | 300 ft3 | $9.28 |
1 Bedroom | $4,152 | 450 ft3 | $9.23 |
2 Bedrooms | $6,883 | 750 ft3 | $9.18 |
3 Bedrooms | $10,040 | 1100 ft3 | $9.13 |
4 Bedrooms | $14,523 | 1600 ft3 | $9.08 |
5+ Bedrooms | $16,248 | 1800 ft3 | $9.03 |
Top Maine to Idaho Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Maine to Idaho movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.