Maine to Michigan Moving Guide
Updated June 6, 2025

Planning a 993 mile interstate move from Maine to Michigan? This moving guide will help you compare living in Maine vs Michigan across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like long, harsh winters vs milder climate), food & health (like Lobster Roll vs Coney Dog), real estate & housing (colonial and cape cod vs colonial and ranch), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Maine), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Lobster Roll and Clam Chowder, but get your taste buds ready for Coney Dog & Pasties
- Michigan housing costs are 39% less expensive than they are in Maine
- Rent in Michigan is 20.15% more affordable than in Maine
- Moving from Maine to Michigan will cost on average between $2,000 - $6,500
- Our top recommended Maine to Michigan movers is Pro-Low Moving
Maine to Michigan Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Maine to Michigan
- Long, harsh winters
- Isolated rural areas
- Limited job market
- High property taxes
- High cost of living
- Milder climate
- Active urban centers
- Diverse employment opportunities
- Lower property taxes
- Affordable housing options
- No ocean access
- Less historic charm
- Few quaint towns
- Limited fresh seafood
- Less vibrant autumns
- Beautiful coastlines
- Rich maritime history
- Charming small towns
- Famous seafood cuisine
- Scenic fall foliage
Pros of moving from Maine to Michigan
- Say goodbye to long, harsh winters and hello to a milder climate
- Look forward to moving away from isolated rural areas and moving to Michigan with active urban centers
- Swap the limited job market of Maine for diverse employment opportunities in Michigan
- Get ready for lower property taxes in Michigan
Cons of moving from Maine to Michigan
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from beautiful coastlines in Maine to live with no ocean access in Michigan
- You'll lose out on the pro of rich maritime history and have to settle for the con of less historic charm
- Time to bid farewell to charming small towns and get used to a few quaint towns in Michigan
- Swap famous seafood cuisine for limited fresh seafood
Maine vs. Michigan: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Maine | Michigan |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Lobster Roll | Coney Dog |
Most popular meat dish | Clam Chowder | Pasties |
Most popular street food item | Italian Sandwich | Coney Dog |
Most popular vegan food | Blueberry Cobbler | Tempeh Reuben |
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 Michigan, you will be trading the iconic Lobster Roll of Maine for the equally delicious Coney Dog of Michigan. And while the locals in Maine rave about their flavorful Clam Chowder and sumptuous Italian Sandwich, Michigan residents know they have tasty Pasties and Coney Dogs to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Blueberry Cobbler they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Tempeh Reuben of Michigan. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Maine eateries like The Lobster Shack at Two Lights, Duckfat, and Fore Street. After the boxes are unpacked in Michigan, don't wait too long before making your way to Michigan's acclaimed eateries like American Coney Island, Slows Bar BQ, and Zingerman's Delicatessen.
When comparing lifestyles, Michigan shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Maine. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Michigan compared to what you are used to in Maine. Also, the overall foodie scene is similarly bustling in Michigan.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Maine and Michigan
Comparison | Maine | Michigan |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial and Cape Cod | Colonial and Ranch |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Waterfront and Historic Charm | Lakeside living and Automotive history |
- The Colonial and Cape Cod architecture that Maine is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Ranch architecture typical of Michigan.
- Compared to Maine's real estate listings that commonly reference waterfront and historic charm, Michigan real estate listings often highlight features like lakeside living and automotive history.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Michigan is more walkable than Maine.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Michigan is more bike-friendly than Maine.
- Michigan has more of an urban feel than Maine.
- Michigan housing costs are 39% less expensive than they are in Maine, with a median home price of $239,770 compared to Maineβs $392,358.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Michigan have increased by 45% compared to a 70% increase in Maine.
- Rent in Michigan is 20.15% more affordable than in Maine.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Maine and Michigan
Comparison | Maine | Michigan |
---|---|---|
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 | Snowstorms, Tornadoes |
Air Quality | Good | Variable |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 70Β°F/50Β°F | 81Β°F/62Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 31Β°F/12Β°F | 32Β°F/17Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 43" | 32" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 75" | 60" |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Maine to Michigan. Michigan gets 15% fewer sunshine days than Maine.
- Michigan 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 snowstorms and tornadoes in Michigan.
- Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Michigan is 11 degrees warmer than in Maine.
- The average winter lows are 5 degrees warmer than they are in Maine.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Michigan. Michigan receives 11 fewer inches of rain compared to Maine.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Maine and Michigan
Comparison | Maine | Michigan |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $69,543 | $66,986 |
Cost of Living Index | 116.5 | 91.2 |
State Income Tax | 7.15% | 4.25% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.20% | 1.54% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 5.5% | 6% |
Top 3 Industries | Healthcare, Construction, Retail | Automotive, Healthcare, Manufacturing |
Affluence | Moderate | Diverse |
Poverty | Low | Moderate |
Homelessness | Low | Moderate |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Michigan tend to earn about 4% less than those in Maine
- The COLI in Michigan will be 22% lower than what you are used to living in Maine
- The state income tax in MI is 4.25% compared to 7.15% in ME
- The affluence in Michigan is diverse compared to moderate affluence in Maine
- The poverty level is moderate in Michigan compared to low in Maine
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in Maine and moderate in Michigan
Political and Religious Climate in Maine vs. Michigan
Comparison | Maine | Michigan |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Leans Democratic | Swing State |
Local Politics | Highly community-focused | Diverse, with a mix of urban and rural priorities |
Religion | Primarily Christian, with a significant non-religious segment | Primarily Christian, with diverse religious communities in urban areas |
- Maine tends to lean Democratic in its political climate
- Michigan, on the other hand, is often described as a swing state
- Michigan's religious environment can be described as primarily Christian with diverse religious communities in urban areas
- Maine's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as primarily Christian with a significant non-religious segment
Education Guide When Moving from Maine to Michigan
Comparison | Maine | Michigan |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Maine Bowdoin College Bates College | University of Michigan Michigan State University Wayne State University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Cape Elizabeth School Yarmouth Elementary Falmouth Elementary | Okemos Public Schools East Grand Rapids Public Schools Northville Public Schools |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Yarmouth Middle School Brunswick Jr. High School Cape Elizabeth Middle School | East Grand Rapids Middle School Boulan Park Middle School Clague Middle School |
Top 3 High Schools | John Bapst Memorial High School Cape Elizabeth High School Falmouth High School | International Academy Northville High School Troy High School |
Top 3 private high schools | Waynflete School (Portland) Berwick Academy (South Berwick) Hebron Academy (Hebron) | Detroit Country Day School (Beverly Hills) Cranbrook Schools (Bloomfield Hills) Greenhills School (Ann Arbor) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Waynflete School (Portland) Berwick Academy (South Berwick) North Yarmouth Academy (Yarmouth) | Roeper School (Bloomfield Hills) Cranbrook Schools (Bloomfield Hills) Detroit Country Day School (Beverly Hills) |
Top 3 School Districts | Falmouth Public Schools Yarmouth Schools Cape Elizabeth Schools | Okemos Public Schools East Grand Rapids Public Schools Northville Public Schools |
How Much Do Maine to Michigan Movers Cost?
Moving 993 miles from Maine to Michigan will typically cost between $2,500 and $6,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $2,500 - $6,500
- Expected Time To Complete: 6.5-15.5 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Pro-Low Moving
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,765 | 300 ft3 | $5.88 |
1 Bedroom | $2,626 | 450 ft3 | $5.83 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,339 | 750 ft3 | $5.78 |
3 Bedrooms | $6,308 | 1100 ft3 | $5.73 |
4 Bedrooms | $9,096 | 1600 ft3 | $5.68 |
5+ Bedrooms | $10,143 | 1800 ft3 | $5.63 |
Top Maine to Michigan Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Maine to Michigan movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.