Maine to Massachusetts Moving Guide
Updated June 21, 2025

Planning a 253 mile interstate move from Maine to Massachusetts? This moving guide will help you compare living in Maine vs Massachusetts across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like limited job market vs diverse job opportunities), food & health (like Lobster Roll vs Clam Chowder), real estate & housing (cape cod, colonial vs colonial, victorian), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Massachusetts), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Lobster Roll and Maple Glazed Ham, but get your taste buds ready for Clam Chowder & Boston Baked Beans (with pork)
- Massachusetts housing costs are 56% more expensive than they are in Maine
- Rent in Massachusetts is 39.76% more expensive than in Maine
- Moving from Maine to Massachusetts will cost on average between $1,000 - $4,000
- Our top recommended Maine to Massachusetts movers is Paradise Moving & Storage
Maine to Massachusetts Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Maine to Massachusetts
- Limited job market
- Long brutal winters
- Fewer cultural events
- Isolated areas
- Diverse job opportunities
- Milder winters
- Vibrant cultural scene
- Urban connectivity
- High cost of living
- Dense traffic
- Less personal space
- Expensive real estate
- Peaceful rural life
- Beautiful natural landscapes
- Close-knit communities
- Lower housing costs
Pros of moving from Maine to Massachusetts
- Say goodbye to limited job market and hello to diverse job opportunities
- Look forward to moving away from long brutal winters and moving to Massachusetts with milder winters
- Swap the fewer cultural events of Maine for a vibrant cultural scene in Massachusetts
- Get ready for urban connectivity in Massachusetts
Cons of moving from Maine to Massachusetts
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from peaceful rural life in Maine to live with a high cost of living in Massachusetts
- You'll lose out on the pro of beautiful natural landscapes and have to settle for the con of dense traffic
- Time to bid farewell to close-knit communities and get used to less personal space in Massachusetts
- Swap lower housing costs for expensive real estate
Maine vs. Massachusetts: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Maine | Massachusetts |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Lobster Roll | Clam Chowder |
Most popular meat dish | Maple Glazed Ham | Boston Baked Beans (with pork) |
Most popular street food item | Blueberry Crumble | Fried Clams |
Most popular vegan food | Seaweed Salad | Jackfruit Tacos |
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 Massachusetts, you will be trading the iconic Lobster Roll of Maine for the equally delicious Clam Chowder of Massachusetts. And while the locals in Maine rave about their flavorful Maple Glazed Ham and sumptuous Blueberry Crumble, Massachusetts residents know they have tasty Boston Baked Beans (with pork) and Fried Clams to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Seaweed Salad they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Jackfruit Tacos of Massachusetts. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Maine eateries like The Lobster Shack, Eventide Oyster Co., and Hugo's. After the boxes are unpacked in Massachusetts, don't wait too long before making your way to Massachusetts' acclaimed eateries like Legal Sea Foods, Union Square Donuts, and Neptune Oyster.
When comparing lifestyles, Massachusetts shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Maine. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Massachusetts, compared to what you are used to in Maine. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Massachusetts.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Maine and Massachusetts
Comparison | Maine | Massachusetts |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Cape Cod, Colonial | Colonial, Victorian |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Waterfront, acreage | Proximity to public transportation, hardwood floors |
- The Cape Cod and Colonial architecture that Maine is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Victorian architecture typical of Massachusetts.
- Compared to Maine's real estate listings that commonly reference waterfront and acreage, Massachusetts real estate listings often highlight features like proximity to public transportation and hardwood floors.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes; Massachusetts is more walkable than Maine.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike; Massachusetts is more bike-friendly than Maine.
- Massachusetts has more of an urban feel than Maine.
- Massachusetts housing costs are 56% more expensive than they are in Maine, with a median home price of $612,509 compared to Maineβs $392,358.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Massachusetts have increased by 46%, compared to a 70% increase in Maine.
- Rent in Massachusetts is 39.76% more expensive than in Maine.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Maine and Massachusetts
Comparison | Maine | Massachusetts |
---|---|---|
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 | Snowstorms, Ice storms | Snowstorms, Coastal storms |
Air Quality | Good | Good to Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 75Β°F / 55Β°F | 80Β°F / 60Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 31Β°F / 13Β°F | 36Β°F / 18Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 45" | 47" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 75" | 43" |
- Massachusetts gets an equal number of sunshine days as Maine.
- Massachusetts has lower humidity and a similar average UV index compared to Maine.
- Say goodbye to the possible snowstorms and ice storms in Maine, but be on the lookout for potential snowstorms and coastal storms in Massachusetts.
- Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Massachusetts is 5 degrees warmer than in Maine.
- The average winter lows are 5 degrees warmer in Massachusetts than they are in Maine.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Massachusetts. Massachusetts receives 2 more inches of rain compared to Maine.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Maine and Massachusetts
Comparison | Maine | Massachusetts |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $69,543 | $94,488 |
Cost of Living Index | 116.5 | 121.55 |
State Income Tax | 7.15% | 5.00% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.30% | 1.17% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 5.50% | 6.25% |
Top 3 Industries | Tourism, Agriculture, Healthcare | Education, Technology, Finance |
Affluence | Moderate | High |
Poverty | Lower | Moderate |
Homelessness | Low | Moderate |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Massachusetts tend to earn about 36% more than in Maine
- The COLI in Massachusetts is 4% higher than what you are used to living in Maine
- The state income tax in MA is 5.00% compared to 7.15% in ME
- The affluence in Massachusetts is high compared to moderate affluence in Maine
- The poverty level is moderate in Massachusetts compared to a lower level in Maine
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in Maine and moderate in Massachusetts
Political and Religious Climate in Maine vs. Massachusetts
Comparison | Maine | Massachusetts |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Moderately liberal | Strongly liberal |
Local Politics | Blend of local and national issues | Focus on education, healthcare, and tech growth |
Religion | Protestant, Catholic | Catholic, Non-religious |
- Maine tends to lean moderately liberal in its political climate
- Massachusetts, on the other hand, is often described as strongly liberal
- Massachusetts' religious environment can be described as Catholic and non-religious
- Maine's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Protestant and Catholic
Education Guide When Moving from Maine to Massachusetts
Comparison | Maine | Massachusetts |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Maine Bates College Bowdoin College | Harvard University Massachusetts Institute of Technology Boston University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Falmouth Elementary Falmouth; Yarmouth Elementary Yarmouth; Cape Elizabeth Elementary Cape Elizabeth | John D. Hardy Elementary Wellesley; Joseph E. Fiske Elementary Wellesley; Vinson-Owen Elementary Winchester |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Falmouth Middle School Falmouth; Yarmouth Middle School Yarmouth; Cape Elizabeth Middle School Cape Elizabeth | William Diamond Middle School Lexington; Jonas Clarke Middle School Lexington; Raymond J. Grey Junior High School Acton |
Top 3 High School Schools | Falmouth High School Falmouth; Yarmouth High School Yarmouth; Cape Elizabeth High School Cape Elizabeth | Boston Latin School Boston; Lexington High School Lexington; Brookline High School Brookline |
Top 3 private high schools | Waynflete School Portland; North Yarmouth Academy Yarmouth; Berwick Academy South Berwick | Phillips Academy Andover; Milton Academy Milton; The Winsor School Boston |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Waynflete School Portland; North Yarmouth Academy Yarmouth; Berwick Academy South Berwick | Phillips Academy Andover; Milton Academy Milton; The Winsor School Boston |
Top 3 School Districts | Falmouth School District; Yarmouth School Department; Cape Elizabeth School Department | Wellesley Public Schools; Lexington Public Schools; Brookline Public Schools |
How Much Do Maine to Massachusetts Movers Cost?
Moving 253 miles from Maine to Massachusetts 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 SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,144 | 300 ft3 | $3.81 |
1 Bedroom | $1,697 | 450 ft3 | $3.77 |
2 Bedrooms | $2,796 | 750 ft3 | $3.73 |
3 Bedrooms | $4,055 | 1100 ft3 | $3.69 |
4 Bedrooms | $5,829 | 1600 ft3 | $3.64 |
5+ Bedrooms | $6,482 | 1800 ft3 | $3.60 |
Top Maine to Massachusetts Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Maine to Massachusetts movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Paradise Moving & Storage
Best moving company overall for Maine to Massachusetts