Maine to North Dakota Moving Guide
Updated June 9, 2025

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
- High taxes
- Harsh winters
- Costly housing
- Limited job growth
- Tourist congestion
- Lower taxes
- Briefer winters
- Affordable housing
- Growing job market
- Less crowded
- Landlocked
- Fewer attractions
- Less diverse
- Fewer amenities
- Limited diversity
- 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
Comparison | Maine | North Dakota |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Lobster Roll | Knoephla Soup |
Most popular meat dish | Clam Chowder | Bison Steak |
Most popular street food item | Italian Sandwich | Fleischkuekle |
Most popular vegan food | Blueberry Cobbler | Lentil Burger |
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 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
Comparison | Maine | North Dakota |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | New England Colonial | Ranch |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Proximity to the coast, Historic charm | Energy 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 Maineβs $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
Comparison | Maine | North Dakota |
---|---|---|
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 | Nor'easters, Blizzards | Tornados, Blizzards |
Air Quality | Good | Variable |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 70Β°F / 50Β°F | 85Β°F / 55Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 31Β°F / 13Β°F | 24Β°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
Comparison | Maine | North Dakota |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $69,543 | $71,970 |
Cost of Living Index | 116.5 | 95.3 |
State Income Tax | 7.15% | 2.90% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.30% | 1.05% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 5.50% | 5% |
Top 3 Industries | Tourism, Fishing, Agriculture | Agriculture, Energy, Technology |
Affluence | Moderate | Comfortable |
Poverty | Moderate | Low |
Homelessness | Visible | Minimal |
- 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
Comparison | Maine | North Dakota |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Leans Democratic | Leans Republican |
Local Politics | Moderate with liberal leanings in urban areas | Conservative, with strong support for agricultural interests |
Religion | Christianity is dominant, but diverse religious communities | Primarily 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
Comparison | Maine | North 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 Schools | Cape Elizabeth Schools Falmouth Elementary Yarmouth Schools | Hawthorne Elementary Centennial Elementary Liberty Elementary |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Cape Elizabeth Middle School Yarmouth Middle School Falmouth Middle School | Bismarck's Horizon Middle School Cheney Middle School Discovery Middle School |
Top 3 High School Schools | Cape 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 schools | John 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 schools | Waynflete School North Yarmouth Academy Berwick Academy | Shiloh Christian School Oak Grove Lutheran School Dakota Adventist Academy |
Top 3 School Districts | Falmouth 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 SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $2,324 | 300 ft3 | $7.75 |
1 Bedroom | $3,464 | 450 ft3 | $7.70 |
2 Bedrooms | $5,736 | 750 ft3 | $7.65 |
3 Bedrooms | $8,358 | 1100 ft3 | $7.60 |
4 Bedrooms | $12,077 | 1600 ft3 | $7.55 |
5+ Bedrooms | $13,497 | 1800 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.

Two Men and a Truck
Best moving company overall for Maine to North Dakota