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Maine to North Dakota Moving Guide

Updated June 9, 2025

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Planning a 1,979 mile interstate move from Maine to North Dakota? This moving guide will help you compare living in Maine vs North Dakota across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high taxes vs lower taxes), food & health (like Lobster Roll vs Knoephla Soup), real estate & housing (new england colonial vs 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 Knoephla Soup & Bison Steak
  • North Dakota housing costs are 35% less expensive than they are in Maine
  • Rent in North Dakota is 43.81% more affordable than in Maine
  • Moving from Maine to North Dakota will cost on average between $2,500 - $8,500
  • Our top recommended Maine to North Dakota movers is Two Men and a Truck

Maine to North Dakota Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Maine to North Dakota

ConsMaine iconMaine
  • High taxes
  • Harsh winters
  • Costly housing
  • Limited job growth
  • Tourist congestion
ProsNorth Dakota iconNorth Dakota
  • Lower taxes
  • Briefer winters
  • Affordable housing
  • Growing job market
  • Less crowded

North Dakota iconNorth Dakota
  • Landlocked
  • Fewer attractions
  • Less diverse
  • Fewer amenities
  • Limited diversity
Maine iconMaine
  • Rich coastline
  • Historical sites
  • Diverse wildlife
  • Charming towns
  • Cultural richness

Pros of moving from Maine to North Dakota

  • Say goodbye to high taxes and hello to lower taxes
  • Look forward to moving away from harsh winters and moving to North Dakota with briefer winters
  • Swap the costly housing of Maine for affordable housing in North Dakota
  • Get ready for a growing job market in North Dakota

Cons of moving from Maine to North Dakota

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the rich coastline in Maine to live with being landlocked in North Dakota
  • You'll lose out on the pro of historical sites and have to settle with the con of fewer attractions
  • Time to bid farewell to diverse wildlife and get used to being less diverse in North Dakota
  • Swap charming towns for fewer amenities

Maine vs. North Dakota: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonMaineNorth Dakota
Most iconic local food itemLobster RollKnoephla Soup
Most popular meat dishClam ChowderBison Steak
Most popular street food itemItalian SandwichFleischkuekle
Most popular vegan foodBlueberry CobblerLentil Burger
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Fore Street
  • Eventide Oyster Co.
  • The Lobster Shack at Two Lights
  • Kroll's Diner
  • JL Beers
  • Mezzaluna
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 North Dakota, you will be trading the iconic Lobster Roll of Maine for the equally delicious Knoephla Soup of North Dakota. And while the locals in Maine rave about their flavorful Clam Chowder and sumptuous Italian Sandwich, North Dakota residents know they have tasty Bison Steak and Fleischkuekle 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 Lentil Burger of North Dakota. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Maine eateries like Fore Street, Eventide Oyster Co., and The Lobster Shack at Two Lights. After the boxes are unpacked in North Dakota, don't wait too long before making your way to North Dakota's acclaimed eateries like Kroll's Diner, JL Beers, and Mezzaluna.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Maine and North Dakota

ComparisonMaineNorth Dakota
Typical Architecture StyleNew England ColonialRanch
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 listingProximity to the coast, Historic charmEnergy efficiency, Low crime rates
  • The New England Colonial architecture that Maine is known for will be replaced with the Ranch architecture typical of North Dakota.
  • Compared to Maine's real estate listings that commonly reference proximity to the coast and historic charm, North Dakota real estate listings often highlight features like energy efficiency and low crime rates.
  • You can keep your walking shoes packed away; North Dakota is less walkable than Maine.
  • You might want to think twice before moving your bike; North Dakota is less bike-friendly than Maine.
  • North Dakota has more of an urban feel than Maine.
  • North Dakota housing costs are 35% less expensive than they are in Maine, with a median home price of $253,395 compared to Maine’s $392,358.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in North Dakota have increased by 18% compared to a 70% increase in Maine.
  • Rent in North Dakota is 43.81% more affordable than in Maine.

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

ComparisonMaineNorth Dakota
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 DisastersNor'easters, BlizzardsTornados, Blizzards
Air QualityGoodVariable
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)70Β°F / 50Β°F85Β°F / 55Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)31Β°F / 13Β°F24Β°F / 2Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)46"17"-25"
Annual Snowfall (Inches)61"53"
  • Break out the sunglasses for your move from Maine to North Dakota. North Dakota gets 1% more sunshine days than Maine.
  • North Dakota has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Maine.
  • Say goodbye to the possible nor'easters and blizzards in Maine, but be on the lookout for potential tornadoes and blizzards in North Dakota.
  • Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in North Dakota is 15 degrees warmer than in Maine.
  • The average winter lows are 11 degrees colder than they are in Maine.
  • Your umbrella might be neglected in North Dakota. North Dakota receives 29 fewer inches of rain compared to Maine.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Maine and North Dakota

ComparisonMaineNorth Dakota
Avg. Household Income$69,543$71,970
Cost of Living Index116.595.3
State Income Tax7.15%2.90%
Avg. Property Tax1.30%1.05%
Avg. Sales Tax5.50%5%
Top 3 IndustriesTourism, Fishing, AgricultureAgriculture, Energy, Technology
AffluenceModerateComfortable
PovertyModerateLow
HomelessnessVisibleMinimal
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in North Dakota tend to earn about 3% more than those in Maine
  • The COLI in North Dakota is 18% lower than what you are used to living in Maine
  • The state income tax in ND is 2.90% compared to 7.15% in ME
  • The affluence in North Dakota is comfortable compared to moderate in Maine
  • The poverty level is low in North Dakota compared to moderate in Maine
  • In terms of homelessness, it is visible in Maine and minimal in North Dakota

Political and Religious Climate in Maine vs. North Dakota

ComparisonMaineNorth Dakota
Political Make-upLeans DemocraticLeans Republican
Local PoliticsModerate with liberal leanings in urban areasConservative, with strong support for agricultural interests
ReligionChristianity is dominant, but diverse religious communitiesPrimarily Christian, with a significant Lutheran population
  • Maine tends to lean Democratic in its political climate
  • North Dakota, on the other hand, is often described as leaning Republican
  • North Dakota's religious environment can be described as primarily Christian with a significant Lutheran population
  • Maine's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Christianity being dominant but with diverse religious communities

Education Guide When Moving from Maine to North Dakota

ComparisonMaineNorth Dakota
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)University of Maine
Bates College
Bowdoin College
North Dakota State University
University of North Dakota
Minot State University
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsCape Elizabeth Schools
Falmouth Elementary
Yarmouth Schools
Hawthorne Elementary
Centennial Elementary
Liberty Elementary
Top 3 Middle SchoolsCape Elizabeth Middle School
Yarmouth Middle School
Falmouth Middle School
Bismarck's Horizon Middle School
Cheney Middle School
Discovery Middle School
Top 3 High School SchoolsCape Elizabeth High School
Falmouth High School
Yarmouth High School
Fargo North High School
Century High School
Grand Forks Central High School
Top 3 private high schoolsJohn Bapst Memorial High School
Waynflete School
Cheverus High School
Shanley High School
Oak Grove Lutheran School
Minot's Bishop Ryan Catholic School
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsWaynflete School
North Yarmouth Academy
Berwick Academy
Shiloh Christian School
Oak Grove Lutheran School
Dakota Adventist Academy
Top 3 School DistrictsFalmouth School Department
Cape Elizabeth School Department
Yarmouth Schools
Fargo Public Schools
Bismarck Public Schools
Grand Forks Public Schools

How Much Do Maine to North Dakota Movers Cost?

Moving 1,979 miles from Maine to North Dakota will typically cost between $3,500 and $8,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.

  • Expected Range: $3,500 - $8,500
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: SC Moving Services
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$2,324300 ft3$7.75
1 Bedroom$3,464450 ft3$7.70
2 Bedrooms$5,736750 ft3$7.65
3 Bedrooms$8,3581100 ft3$7.60
4 Bedrooms$12,0771600 ft3$7.55
5+ Bedrooms$13,4971800 ft3$7.50

Top Maine to North Dakota Movers

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

TOP PICK
Two Men and a Truck featured image

Two Men and a Truck

Best moving company overall for Maine to North Dakota

9.30/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
SC Moving Services featured image

SC Moving Services

9.20/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
Quality Pack & Load featured image

Quality Pack & Load

9.06/10
ExceptionalView details
Top Maine to North Dakota Routes

Portland to North Dakota