Maine to Montana Moving Guide
Updated June 15, 2025

Planning a 2,425 mile interstate move from Maine to Montana? This moving guide will help you compare living in Maine vs Montana across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like harsh winters vs milder winters), food & health (like Lobster vs Beef), real estate & housing (cape cod, colonial vs rustic, 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 Beef & Buffalo Steak
- Montana housing costs are 16% more expensive than they are in Maine
- Rent in Montana is 22.42% more affordable than in Maine
- Moving from Maine to Montana will cost on average between $2,500 - $9,500
- Our top recommended Maine to Montana movers is SC Moving Services
Maine to Montana Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Maine to Montana
- Harsh winters
- High living costs
- Limited opportunities
- Dense population
- Milder winters
- Lower living costs
- Growing job market
- Wide open spaces
- No ocean access
- Limited seafood options
- Fewer historic sites
- More solitary lifestyle
- Coastal beauty
- Rich seafood
- Historic charm
- Close-knit communities
Pros of moving from Maine to Montana
- Say goodbye to harsh winters and hello to milder winters
- Look forward to moving away from high living costs and moving to Montana with lower living costs
- Swap the limited opportunities of Maine for a growing job market in Montana
- Get ready for wide open spaces in Montana
Cons of moving from Maine to Montana
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the coastal beauty in Maine to live with no ocean access in Montana
- You'll lose out on the pro of rich seafood and have to settle for the con of limited seafood options
- Time to bid farewell to historic charm and get used to fewer historic sites in Montana
- Swap close-knit communities for a more solitary lifestyle
Maine vs. Montana: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Maine | Montana |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Lobster | Beef |
Most popular meat dish | Lobster Roll | Buffalo Steak |
Most popular street food item | Italian Sandwich | Huckleberry Pie |
Most popular vegan food | Blueberry Smoothie | Wild Mushroom Stew |
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 Montana, you will be trading the iconic Lobster of Maine for the equally delicious Beef of Montana. And while the locals in Maine rave about their flavorful Lobster Roll and sumptuous Italian Sandwich, Montana residents know they have tasty Buffalo Steak and Huckleberry Pie to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Blueberry Smoothie they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Wild Mushroom Stew of Montana. 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 Montana, don't wait too long before making your way to Montana's acclaimed eateries like Montana Grill, Bozeman Chophouse, and The Last Best Place.
When comparing lifestyles, Montana shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Maine. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Montana, compared to what you are used to in Maine. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in Montana.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Maine and Montana
Comparison | Maine | Montana |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Cape Cod, Colonial | Rustic, Craftsman |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Ocean views, historic details | Mountain views, large acreage |
- The Cape Cod and Colonial architecture that Maine is known for will be replaced with the Rustic and Craftsman architecture typical of Montana.
- Compared to Maine's real estate listings that commonly reference ocean views and historic details, Montana real estate listings often highlight features like mountain views and large acreage.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away; Montana is less walkable than Maine.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike; Montana is less bike-friendly than Maine.
- Montana has less of an urban feel than Maine.
- Montana housing costs are 16% more expensive than they are in Maine, with a median home price of $456,199 compared to Maineβs $392,358.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Montana have increased by 71% compared to a 70% increase in Maine.
- Rent in Montana is 22.42% more affordable than in Maine.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Maine and Montana
Comparison | Maine | Montana |
---|---|---|
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, Avalanches |
Air Quality | Good | Good to Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 75Β°F / 55Β°F | 85Β°F / 50Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 31Β°F / 17Β°F | 34Β°F / 17Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 46" | 15" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 61" | 90" |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Maine to Montana. Montana gets 3% more sunshine days than Maine.
- Montana 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 avalanches in Montana.
- Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Montana is 10 degrees warmer than in Maine.
- The average winter lows in Montana are 0 degrees colder than they are in Maine.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Montana. Montana receives 31 fewer inches of rain compared to Maine.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Maine and Montana
Comparison | Maine | Montana |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $69,543 | $67,631 |
Cost of Living Index | 116.5 | 99.4 |
State Income Tax | 5.8% | None |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.30% | 0.85% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 5.50% | 0% |
Top 3 Industries | Healthcare, Education, Tourism | Agriculture, Mining, Tourism |
Affluence | Moderate | Moderate |
Poverty | Moderate | Moderate |
Homelessness | Low | Low |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Montana tend to earn about 3% less than in Maine
- The COLI in Montana will be 15% lower than what you are used to living in Maine
- The state income tax in MT is none compared to 5.8% in ME
- The affluence in Montana is moderate compared to moderate in Maine
- The poverty level is moderate in Montana compared to moderate in Maine
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in Maine and low in Montana
Political and Religious Climate in Maine vs. Montana
Comparison | Maine | Montana |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Leans Democratic | Leans Republican |
Local Politics | State of Maine Government | State of Montana Government |
Religion | Christian, Unaffiliated | Christian, Unaffiliated |
- Maine tends to lean Democratic in its political climate
- Montana, on the other hand, is often described as leaning Republican
- Montana's religious environment can be described as Christian and Unaffiliated
- Maine's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Christian and Unaffiliated
Education Guide When Moving from Maine to Montana
Comparison | Maine | Montana |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Maine Bates College Bowdoin College | Montana State University University of Montana Carroll College |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Cape Elizabeth Schools Yarmouth Schools Falmouth Schools | Bozeman Field School Hawthorne Elementary Smith Elementary |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Cape Elizabeth Middle School Yarmouth Middle School Falmouth Middle School | Sacajawea Middle School Chief Joseph Middle School Bozeman Middle School |
Top 3 High School Schools | Cape Elizabeth High School Yarmouth High School Falmouth High School | Bozeman High School Helena High School Sentinel High School |
Top 3 private high schools | Waynflete School (Portland) John Bapst Memorial High School (Bangor) Berwick Academy (South Berwick) | Mount Ellis Academy (Bozeman) Carroll College Preparatory (Helena) Missoula Catholic Schools (Missoula) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | North Yarmouth Academy (Yarmouth) Berwick Academy (South Berwick) Waynflete School (Portland) | Petra Academy (Bozeman) Missoula International School (Missoula) Mount Ellis Academy (Bozeman) |
Top 3 School Districts | Falmouth School Department Yarmouth Schools Cape Elizabeth Schools | Bozeman Public Schools Helena Public Schools Missoula County Public Schools |
How Much Do Maine to Montana Movers Cost?
Moving 2,425 miles from Maine to Montana will typically cost between $4,000 and $9,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $4,000 - $9,500
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: SC Moving Services
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $2,577 | 300 ft3 | $8.59 |
1 Bedroom | $3,843 | 450 ft3 | $8.54 |
2 Bedrooms | $6,368 | 750 ft3 | $8.49 |
3 Bedrooms | $9,285 | 1100 ft3 | $8.44 |
4 Bedrooms | $13,426 | 1600 ft3 | $8.39 |
5+ Bedrooms | $15,014 | 1800 ft3 | $8.34 |
Top Maine to Montana Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Maine to Montana movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.