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Maine to Montana Moving Guide

Updated June 15, 2025

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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

ConsMaine iconMaine
  • Harsh winters
  • High living costs
  • Limited opportunities
  • Dense population
ProsMontana iconMontana
  • Milder winters
  • Lower living costs
  • Growing job market
  • Wide open spaces

Montana iconMontana
  • No ocean access
  • Limited seafood options
  • Fewer historic sites
  • More solitary lifestyle
Maine iconMaine
  • 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

ComparisonMaineMontana
Most iconic local food itemLobsterBeef
Most popular meat dishLobster RollBuffalo Steak
Most popular street food itemItalian SandwichHuckleberry Pie
Most popular vegan foodBlueberry SmoothieWild Mushroom Stew
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Eventide Oyster Co.
  • Fore Street
  • Duckfat
  • Montana Grill
  • Bozeman Chophouse
  • The Last Best Place
Fitness/Health ConscientiousnessπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺ
Abundance of Food Trucks🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚
Foodie Scene🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴
Vegan Friendly🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱

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

ComparisonMaineMontana
Typical Architecture StyleCape Cod, ColonialRustic, Craftsman
WalkabilityπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘Ÿ
Bikeability🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲
Urban LifestyleπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈ
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listingOcean views, historic detailsMountain 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 Maine’s $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

ComparisonMaineMontana
Days of Sunshine per Yearβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈ
Avg. Annual HumidityπŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦
Avg. UV IndexπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈ
Natural DisastersBlizzards, Ice StormsWildfires, Avalanches
Air QualityGoodGood to Moderate
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)75Β°F / 55Β°F85Β°F / 50Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)31Β°F / 17Β°F34Β°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

ComparisonMaineMontana
Avg. Household Income$69,543$67,631
Cost of Living Index116.599.4
State Income Tax5.8%None
Avg. Property Tax1.30%0.85%
Avg. Sales Tax5.50%0%
Top 3 IndustriesHealthcare, Education, TourismAgriculture, Mining, Tourism
AffluenceModerateModerate
PovertyModerateModerate
HomelessnessLowLow
  • 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

ComparisonMaineMontana
Political Make-upLeans DemocraticLeans Republican
Local PoliticsState of Maine GovernmentState of Montana Government
ReligionChristian, UnaffiliatedChristian, 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

ComparisonMaineMontana
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 SchoolsCape Elizabeth Schools
Yarmouth Schools
Falmouth Schools
Bozeman Field School
Hawthorne Elementary
Smith Elementary
Top 3 Middle SchoolsCape Elizabeth Middle School
Yarmouth Middle School
Falmouth Middle School
Sacajawea Middle School
Chief Joseph Middle School
Bozeman Middle School
Top 3 High School SchoolsCape Elizabeth High School
Yarmouth High School
Falmouth High School
Bozeman High School
Helena High School
Sentinel High School
Top 3 private high schoolsWaynflete 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 schoolsNorth Yarmouth Academy (Yarmouth)
Berwick Academy (South Berwick)
Waynflete School (Portland)
Petra Academy (Bozeman)
Missoula International School (Missoula)
Mount Ellis Academy (Bozeman)
Top 3 School DistrictsFalmouth 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 - $9,500
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: SC Moving Services
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$2,577300 ft3$8.59
1 Bedroom$3,843450 ft3$8.54
2 Bedrooms$6,368750 ft3$8.49
3 Bedrooms$9,2851100 ft3$8.44
4 Bedrooms$13,4261600 ft3$8.39
5+ Bedrooms$15,0141800 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.

TOP PICK
SC Moving Services featured image

SC Moving Services

Best moving company overall for Maine to Montana

9.20/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
Vacationland Moving featured image

Vacationland Moving

9.02/10
ALSO GREAT
Moving On Up

Moving On Up

8.79/10
Top Maine to Montana Routes

Portland to Montana