Maine to Minnesota Moving Guide
Updated June 20, 2025

Planning a 1,676 mile interstate move from Maine to Minnesota? This moving guide will help you compare living in Maine vs Minnesota across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like harsh winters vs more cultural events), food & health (like Lobster Roll vs Hotdish), real estate & housing (colonial, cape cod vs prairie, ranch), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Minnesota), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Lobster Roll and Lobster, but get your taste buds ready for Hotdish & Walleye
- Minnesota housing costs are 16% less expensive than they are in Maine
- Rent in Minnesota is 8.27% more affordable than in Maine
- Moving from Maine to Minnesota will cost on average between $2,000 - $7,500
- Our top recommended Maine to Minnesota movers is Metro Movers
Maine to Minnesota Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Maine to Minnesota
- Harsh winters
- Limited job market
- High energy costs
- Rural isolation
- Fewer large cities
- More cultural events
- Diverse employment opportunities
- Affordable utilities
- Vibrant urban areas
- Larger metropolitan areas
- No ocean access
- Scarce seafood options
- Busier environment
- Increased crime rate
- Younger urban areas
- Scenic coastlines
- Fresh seafood
- Peaceful countryside
- Low crime rate
- Rich history
Pros of moving from Maine to Minnesota
- Say goodbye to harsh winters and hello to more cultural events
- Look forward to moving away from a limited job market and moving to Minnesota with diverse employment opportunities
- Swap the high energy costs of Maine for affordable utilities in Minnesota
- Get ready for vibrant urban areas in Minnesota
Cons of moving from Maine to Minnesota
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from scenic coastlines in Maine to live with no ocean access in Minnesota
- You'll lose out on the pro of fresh seafood and have to settle for the con of scarce seafood options
- Time to bid farewell to the peaceful countryside and get used to a busier environment in Minnesota
- Swap a low crime rate for an increased crime rate
Maine vs. Minnesota: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Maine | Minnesota |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Lobster Roll | Hotdish |
Most popular meat dish | Lobster | Walleye |
Most popular street food item | Italian Sandwich | Jucy Lucy |
Most popular vegan food | Blueberry Pie | Wild Rice Soup |
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 Minnesota, you will be trading the iconic Lobster Roll of Maine for the equally delicious Hotdish of Minnesota. And while the locals in Maine rave about their flavorful Lobster and sumptuous Italian Sandwich, Minnesota residents know they have tasty Walleye and Jucy Lucy to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Blueberry Pie they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Wild Rice Soup of Minnesota. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Maine eateries like Eventide Oyster Co., Fore Street, and The Lost Kitchen. After the boxes are unpacked in Minnesota, don't wait too long before making your way to Minnesota's acclaimed eateries like Matt's Bar, The Bachelor Farmer, and Al's Breakfast.
When comparing lifestyles, Minnesota shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Maine. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Minnesota compared to what you are used to in Maine. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Minnesota.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Maine and Minnesota
Comparison | Maine | Minnesota |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial, Cape Cod | Prairie, Ranch |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Waterfront views, Wooded lots | Lakeside properties, Energy efficiency |
- The Colonial and Cape Cod architecture that Maine is known for will be replaced with the Prairie and Ranch architecture typical of Minnesota.
- Compared to Maine's real estate listings that commonly reference waterfront views and wooded lots, Minnesota real estate listings often highlight features like lakeside properties and energy efficiency.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Minnesota is more walkable than Maine.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Minnesota is more bike-friendly than Maine.
- Minnesota has more of an urban feel than Maine.
- Minnesota housing costs are 16% less expensive than they are in Maine, with a median home price of $331,117 compared to Maineβs $392,358.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Minnesota have increased by 33% compared to a 70% increase in Maine.
- Rent in Minnesota is 8.27% more affordable than in Maine.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Maine and Minnesota
Comparison | Maine | Minnesota |
---|---|---|
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, Floods | Tornadoes, Blizzards |
Air Quality | Good | Variable |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 70-80 / 50-60 | 79-86 / 58-63 |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 20-35 / 0-15 | 6-23 / -8-8 |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 40-46 | 27-34 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 50-70 | 36-70 |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Maine to Minnesota. Minnesota gets 2% fewer sunshine days than Maine.
- Minnesota has lower humidity and a similar average UV index compared to Maine.
- Say goodbye to the possible blizzards and floods in Maine, but be on the lookout for potential tornadoes and blizzards in Minnesota.
- Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Minnesota is 9 degrees warmer than in Maine.
- The average winter lows in Minnesota are 8 degrees colder than they are in Maine.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Minnesota. Minnesota receives 13 fewer inches of rain compared to Maine.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Maine and Minnesota
Comparison | Maine | Minnesota |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $69,543 | $82,338 |
Cost of Living Index | 116.5 | 98.75 |
State Income Tax | 7.15% | 9.85% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.30% | 1.15% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 5.50% | 7.38% |
Top 3 Industries | Healthcare, Tourism, Fishing | Healthcare, Manufacturing, Agriculture |
Affluence | Moderate | High |
Poverty | Low | Moderate |
Homelessness | Low | Moderate |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Minnesota tend to earn about 18% more than in Maine
- The COLI in Minnesota will be 15% lower than what you are used to living in Maine
- The state income tax in Minnesota is 9.85% compared to 7.15% in Maine
- The affluence in Minnesota is high compared to moderate in Maine
- The poverty level is moderate in Minnesota compared to low in Maine
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in Maine and moderate in Minnesota
Political and Religious Climate in Maine vs. Minnesota
Comparison | Maine | Minnesota |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Lean Democratic | Lean Democratic |
Local Politics | Moderate with a focus on local governance | Progressive with strong emphasis on social issues |
Religion | Less religiously affiliated | Moderately religious, diverse denominations |
- Maine tends to lean Democratic in its political climate
- Minnesota, on the other hand, is often described as lean Democratic
- Minnesota's religious environment can be described as moderately religious and diverse denominations
- Maine's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as less religiously affiliated
Education Guide When Moving from Maine to Minnesota
Comparison | Maine | Minnesota |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Maine Bowdoin College Bates College | University of Minnesota Carleton College Macalester College |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Cape Elizabeth Schools Falmouth Elementary Yarmouth Schools | Deephaven Elementary Minnetonka; Scenic Heights Elementary Minnetonka; St. Croix Preparatory Academy Lower Stillwater |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Yarmouth Middle School Yarmouth; Cape Elizabeth Middle School Cape Elizabeth; Falmouth Middle School Falmouth | Minnetonka Middle School East Minnetonka; Wayzata Central Middle School Plymouth; St. Croix Preparatory Academy Middle Stillwater |
Top 3 High Schools | Yarmouth High School Yarmouth; Cape Elizabeth High School Cape Elizabeth; Falmouth High School Falmouth | Minnetonka High School Minnetonka; Eden Prairie High School Eden Prairie; Edina High School Edina |
Top 3 private high schools | Waynflete School Portland; John Bapst Memorial High School Bangor; Berwick Academy South Berwick | Breck School Golden Valley; The Blake School Minneapolis; St. Paul Academy and Summit School St. Paul |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Waynflete School Portland; Berwick Academy South Berwick; North Yarmouth Academy Yarmouth | Breck School Golden Valley; The Blake School Minneapolis; St. Paul Academy and Summit School St. Paul |
Top 3 School Districts | Falmouth Public Schools Yarmouth School Department Cape Elizabeth Schools | Minnetonka Public Schools Edina Public Schools Wayzata Public Schools |
How Much Do Maine to Minnesota Movers Cost?
Moving 1,676 miles from Maine to Minnesota will typically cost between $3,000 and $7,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $3,000 - $7,500
- Expected Time To Complete: 5-6 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Metro Movers
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $2,153 | 300 ft3 | $7.18 |
1 Bedroom | $3,206 | 450 ft3 | $7.13 |
2 Bedrooms | $5,307 | 750 ft3 | $7.08 |
3 Bedrooms | $7,728 | 1100 ft3 | $7.03 |
4 Bedrooms | $11,161 | 1600 ft3 | $6.98 |
5+ Bedrooms | $12,466 | 1800 ft3 | $6.93 |
Top Maine to Minnesota Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Maine to Minnesota movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.