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Maine to North Carolina Moving Guide

Updated June 16, 2025

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Planning a 955 mile interstate move from Maine to North Carolina? This moving guide will help you compare living in Maine vs North Carolina across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like harsh winters vs mild winters), food & health (like Lobster Roll vs Pulled Pork BBQ), real estate & housing (cape cod, colonial vs colonial revival, craftsman), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Maine), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Lobster Roll and Lobster, but get your taste buds ready for Pulled Pork BBQ & Barbecue Ribs
  • North Carolina housing costs are 16% less expensive than they are in Maine
  • Rent in North Carolina is 4.65% more affordable than in Maine
  • Moving from Maine to North Carolina will cost on average between $1,500 - $5,500
  • Our top recommended Maine to North Carolina movers is Just Move It, LLC

Maine to North Carolina Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Maine to North Carolina

ConsMaine iconMaine
  • Harsh winters
  • High heating costs
  • Rural isolation
  • Limited job market
  • Higher taxes
ProsNorth Carolina iconNorth Carolina
  • Mild winters
  • Lower heating costs
  • Urban amenities
  • Diverse job opportunities
  • Lower taxes

North Carolina iconNorth Carolina
  • Hurricane risk
  • Higher crime rates
  • Hot, humid summers
  • Less seafood variety
  • Higher density areas
Maine iconMaine
  • Beautiful coastlines
  • Low crime rates
  • Four distinct seasons
  • Quality seafood
  • Close-knit communities

Pros of moving from Maine to North Carolina

  • Say goodbye to harsh winters and hello to mild winters
  • Look forward to moving away from high heating costs and moving to North Carolina with lower heating costs
  • Swap the rural isolation of Maine for urban amenities in North Carolina
  • Get ready for diverse job opportunities in North Carolina

Cons of moving from Maine to North Carolina

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from beautiful coastlines in Maine to live with hurricane risk in North Carolina
  • You'll lose out on the pro of low crime rates and have to settle for the con of higher crime rates
  • Time to bid farewell to four distinct seasons and get used to hot and humid summers in North Carolina
  • Swap quality seafood for less seafood variety

Maine vs. North Carolina: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonMaineNorth Carolina
Most iconic local food itemLobster RollPulled Pork BBQ
Most popular meat dishLobsterBarbecue Ribs
Most popular street food itemItalian SandwichBBQ Sandwich
Most popular vegan foodWild Blueberry PieSmoked Jackfruit BBQ
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Eventide Oyster Co.
  • Fore Street
  • Duckfat
  • Lexington Barbecue
  • Chef & the Farmer
  • Biscuitville
Fitness/Health Conscientiousness💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪
Abundance of Food Trucks🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚
Foodie Scene🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴
Vegan Friendly🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱

If you're moving from Maine to North Carolina, you will be trading the iconic Lobster Roll of Maine for the equally delicious Pulled Pork BBQ of North Carolina. And while the locals in Maine rave about their flavorful Lobster and sumptuous Italian Sandwich, North Carolina residents know they have tasty Barbecue Ribs and BBQ Sandwich to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Wild Blueberry Pie they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Smoked Jackfruit BBQ of North Carolina. 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 North Carolina, don't wait too long before making your way to North Carolina's acclaimed eateries like Lexington Barbecue, Chef and the Farmer, and Biscuitville.

When comparing lifestyles, North Carolina shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Maine. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in North Carolina compared to what you are used to in Maine. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in North Carolina.

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Maine and North Carolina

ComparisonMaineNorth Carolina
Typical Architecture StyleCape Cod, ColonialColonial Revival, Craftsman
Walkability👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟
Bikeability🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲
Urban Lifestyle🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listingWaterfront, Scenic ViewsEnergy Efficiency, Outdoor Spaces
  • The Cape Cod and Colonial architecture that Maine is known for will be replaced with the Colonial Revival and Craftsman architecture typical of North Carolina.
  • Compared to Maine's real estate listings that commonly reference waterfront and scenic views, North Carolina real estate listings often highlight features like energy efficiency and outdoor spaces.
  • Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. North Carolina is more walkable than Maine.
  • Make sure the movers take care of your bike. North Carolina is more bike-friendly than Maine.
  • North Carolina has more of an urban feel than Maine.
  • North Carolina housing costs are 16% less expensive than they are in Maine, with a median home price of $329,225 compared to Maine's $392,358.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in North Carolina have increased by 63% compared to a 70% increase in Maine.
  • Rent in North Carolina is 4.65% more affordable than in Maine.

Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Maine and North Carolina

ComparisonMaineNorth Carolina
Days of Sunshine per Year☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️
Avg. Annual Humidity💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦
Avg. UV Index🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️
Natural DisastersSnowstorms, Cold WavesHurricanes, Tornadoes
Air QualityGoodVariable
Average Summer High/Low (°F)70°F/50°F85°F/65°F
Average Winter High/Low (°F)31°F/12°F50°F/30°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)4250
Annual Snowfall (Inches)605
  • Break out the sunglasses for your move from Maine to North Carolina. North Carolina gets 8% more sunshine days than Maine.
  • North Carolina has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Maine.
  • Say goodbye to the possible snowstorms and cold waves in Maine, but be on the lookout for potential hurricanes and tornadoes in North Carolina.
  • Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in North Carolina is 15 degrees warmer than in Maine.
  • The average winter lows are 18 degrees warmer than they are in Maine.
  • Your umbrella might be more overworked in North Carolina. North Carolina receives 8 more inches of rain compared to Maine.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Maine and North Carolina

ComparisonMaineNorth Carolina
Avg. Household Income$69,543$67,481
Cost of Living Index116.595.85
State Income Tax7.15%5.25%
Avg. Property Tax1.30%0.85%
Avg. Sales Tax5.5%6.75%
Top 3 IndustriesHealthcare, Tourism, RetailTechnology, Finance, Energy
AffluenceModerateDiverse
PovertyNoticeableVaried
HomelessnessLimitedManageable
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in North Carolina tend to earn about 3% less than in Maine
  • The COLI in North Carolina will be 18% lower than what you are used to living in Maine
  • The state income tax in NC is 5.25% compared to 7.15% in ME
  • The affluence in North Carolina is diverse compared to moderate in Maine
  • The poverty level is varied in North Carolina compared to noticeable in Maine
  • In terms of homelessness, it is limited in Maine and manageable in North Carolina

Political and Religious Climate in Maine vs. North Carolina

ComparisonMaineNorth Carolina
Political Make-upLeans DemocraticMixed, with both Democratic and Republican strongholds
Local PoliticsCommunity-oriented, with a focus on local governanceVaries greatly by region, with urban areas being more liberal and rural areas being more conservative
ReligionLess religiously affiliatedHigher religiosity, with a strong presence of Protestant Christianity
  • Maine tends to lean Democratic in its political climate
  • North Carolina, on the other hand, is often described as mixed, with both Democratic and Republican strongholds
  • North Carolina's religious environment can be described as having higher religiosity, with a strong presence of Protestant Christianity
  • Maine's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as less religiously affiliated

Education Guide When Moving from Maine to North Carolina

ComparisonMaineNorth Carolina
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)University of Maine
Bowdoin College
Bates College
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
North Carolina State University
Duke University
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsCape Elizabeth Schools
Falmouth Elementary
Yarmouth Schools
Endhaven Elementary
Morrisville Elementary
Davis Drive Elementary
Top 3 Middle SchoolsYarmouth Schools
Falmouth Middle School
Cape Elizabeth Middle School
Jay M. Robinson Middle
Metrolina Regional Scholars Academy
Smith Middle School
Top 3 High SchoolsJohn Bapst Memorial High School
Falmouth High School
Cape Elizabeth High School
North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics
Raleigh Charter High School
Early College at Guilford
Top 3 private high schoolsWaynflete School
Portland; Hebron Academy
Hebron; Berwick Academy
South Berwick
Providence Day School
Charlotte; Charlotte Country Day School
Charlotte; Cary Academy
Cary
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsWaynflete School
Portland; Berwick Academy
South Berwick; North Yarmouth Academy
Yarmouth
Charlotte Country Day School
Charlotte; Cary Academy
Cary; Durham Academy
Durham
Top 3 School DistrictsFalmouth Schools
Yarmouth Schools
Cape Elizabeth Schools
Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools
Wake County Public School System
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools

How Much Do Maine to North Carolina Movers Cost?

Moving 955 miles from Maine to North Carolina will typically cost between $2,000 and $5,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.

  • Expected Range: $2,000 - $5,500
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-10 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Raleigh Moving Company
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,482300 ft3$4.94
1 Bedroom$2,204450 ft3$4.90
2 Bedrooms$3,642750 ft3$4.86
3 Bedrooms$5,2951100 ft3$4.81
4 Bedrooms$7,6341600 ft3$4.77
5+ Bedrooms$8,5111800 ft3$4.73

Top Maine to North Carolina Movers

Read our in-depth analysis of the best Maine to North Carolina movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

TOP PICK
Just Move It, LLC featured image

Just Move It, LLC

Best moving company overall for Maine to North Carolina

9.50/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
Illuminated Moving & Packing featured image

Illuminated Moving & Packing

9.49/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
SC Moving Services featured image

SC Moving Services

9.20/10
ExceptionalView details