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Maine to Washington Moving Guide

Updated June 23, 2025

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Planning a 3,096 mile interstate move from Maine to Washington? This moving guide will help you compare living in Maine vs Washington across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like harsh winters vs milder climate), food & health (like Lobster vs Salmon), real estate & housing (cape cod, colonial vs modern, craftsman), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes, politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Lobster and Lobster Roll, but get your taste buds ready for Salmon & Teriyaki
  • Washington housing costs are 51% more expensive than they are in Maine
  • Rent in Washington is 8.54% more expensive than in Maine
  • Moving from Maine to Washington will cost on average between $3,000 - $10,500
  • Our top recommended Maine to Washington movers is Seattle Moves & More

Maine to Washington Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Maine to Washington

ConsMaine iconMaine
  • Harsh winters
  • Limited job market
  • Remote living
  • Fewer cultural events
ProsWashington iconWashington
  • Milder climate
  • Diverse opportunities
  • Urban conveniences
  • Vibrant arts scene

Washington iconWashington
  • Higher living costs
  • Traffic congestion
  • High property prices
  • Overcrowding in cities
Maine iconMaine
  • Peaceful lifestyle
  • Natural beauty
  • Low crime rate
  • Close-knit communities

Pros of moving from Maine to Washington

  • Say goodbye to harsh winters and hello to a milder climate
  • Look forward to moving away from a limited job market and moving to Washington with diverse opportunities
  • Swap the remote living of Maine for urban conveniences in Washington
  • Get ready for a vibrant arts scene in Washington

Cons of moving from Maine to Washington

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from a peaceful lifestyle in Maine to live with higher living costs in Washington
  • You'll lose out on the pro of natural beauty and have to settle with the con of traffic congestion
  • Time to bid farewell to a low crime rate and get used to high property prices in Washington
  • Swap close-knit communities for overcrowding in cities

Maine vs. Washington: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonMaineWashington
Most iconic local food itemLobsterSalmon
Most popular meat dishLobster RollTeriyaki
Most popular street food itemItalian SandwichPho
Most popular vegan foodBlueberry Vegan CakeVegan Pho
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Eventide Oyster Co.
  • Duckfat
  • Fore Street
  • Canlis
  • Pike Place Chowder
  • The Herbfarm
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 Washington, you will be trading the iconic Lobster of Maine for the equally delicious Salmon of Washington. And while the locals in Maine rave about their flavorful Lobster Roll and sumptuous Italian Sandwich, Washington residents know they have tasty Teriyaki and Pho to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Blueberry Vegan Cake they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Vegan Pho of Washington. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Maine eateries like Eventide Oyster Co., Duckfat, and Fore Street. After the boxes are unpacked in Washington, don't wait too long before making your way to Washington's acclaimed eateries like Canlis, Pike Place Chowder, and The Herbfarm.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Maine and Washington

ComparisonMaineWashington
Typical Architecture StyleCape Cod, ColonialModern, 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 listingProximity to nature, QuietnessAccess to tech jobs, Urban amenities
  • The Cape Cod and Colonial architecture that Maine is known for will be replaced with the Modern and Craftsman architecture typical of Washington.
  • Compared to Maine's real estate listings that commonly reference proximity to nature and quietness, Washington real estate listings often highlight features like access to tech jobs and urban amenities.
  • Make sure you unpack those walking shoes; Washington is more walkable than Maine.
  • Make sure the movers take care of your bike; Washington is more bike-friendly than Maine.
  • Washington has more of an urban feel than Maine.
  • Washington housing costs are 51% more expensive than they are in Maine, with a median home price of $591,148 compared to Maine’s $392,358.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Washington have increased by 49% compared to a 70% increase in Maine.
  • Rent in Washington is 8.54% more expensive than in Maine.

Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Maine and Washington

ComparisonMaineWashington
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, Nor'eastersEarthquakes, Volcanoes
Air QualityGoodVariable
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)70Β°F / 50Β°F75Β°F / 55Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)31Β°F / 13Β°F47Β°F / 37Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)37"38"
Annual Snowfall (Inches)75"20"
  • The shades won't be used as much for your move from Maine to Washington. Washington gets 24% fewer sunshine days than Maine.
  • Washington has higher humidity and a similar average UV index compared to Maine.
  • Say goodbye to the possible blizzards and nor'easters in Maine, but be on the lookout for potential earthquakes and volcanoes in Washington.
  • Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Washington is 5 degrees warmer than in Maine.
  • The average winter lows are 24 degrees warmer in Washington than they are in Maine.
  • Your umbrella might be more overworked in Washington. Washington receives 1 more inch of rain compared to Maine.

Political and Religious Climate in Maine vs. Washington

ComparisonMaineWashington
Political Make-upModerately liberalLiberal
Local PoliticsCommunities vary, with a mix of liberal and conservative areasLarger cities lean heavily liberal, rural areas more conservative
ReligionLess religious overall, Christian majorityLess religious overall, diverse religious communities
  • Maine tends to lean moderately liberal in its political climate
  • Washington, on the other hand, is often described as liberal
  • Washington's religious environment can be described as less religious overall and diverse religious communities
  • Maine's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as less religious overall and a Christian majority

Education Guide When Moving from Maine to Washington

ComparisonMaineWashington
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)University of Maine
Colby College
Bates College
University of Washington
Washington State University
Seattle University
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsCape Elizabeth School
Yarmouth Schools
Falmouth Elementary Schools
Cascade Ridge Elementary (Issaquah)
Medina Elementary (Medina)
Challenge Elementary (Bellevue)
Top 3 Middle SchoolsCape Elizabeth Middle School
Yarmouth Middle School
Falmouth Middle School
International Community School (Kirkland)
Pacific Cascade Middle School (Issaquah)
Environmental & Adventure School (Kirkland)
Top 3 High SchoolsYarmouth High School
Cape Elizabeth High School
Falmouth High School
International School (Bellevue)
Tesla STEM High School (Redmond)
Newport Senior High School (Bellevue)
Top 3 private high schoolsWaynflete School (Portland)
Berwick Academy (South Berwick)
Hebron Academy (Hebron)
Lakeside School (Seattle)
The Overlake School (Redmond)
Seattle Academy (Seattle)
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsWaynflete School (Portland)
Lee Academy (Lee)
North Yarmouth Academy (Yarmouth)
The Bear Creek School (Redmond)
The Bush School (Seattle)
Seattle Waldorf School (Seattle)
Top 3 School DistrictsCape Elizabeth School District
Yarmouth School District
Falmouth School District
Bellevue School District
Mercer Island School District
Lake Washington School District

How Much Do Maine to Washington Movers Cost?

Moving 3,096 miles from Maine to Washington will typically cost between $4,500 and $10,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.

  • Expected Range: $4,500 - $10,500
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-4 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: John Volken Academy Movers
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$2,958300 ft3$9.86
1 Bedroom$4,414450 ft3$9.81
2 Bedrooms$7,319750 ft3$9.76
3 Bedrooms$10,6801100 ft3$9.71
4 Bedrooms$15,4541600 ft3$9.66
5+ Bedrooms$17,2961800 ft3$9.61

Top Maine to Washington Movers

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

TOP PICK
Seattle Moves & More

Seattle Moves & More

Best moving company overall for Maine to Washington

9.55/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
John Volken Academy Movers featured image

John Volken Academy Movers

9.34/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
SC Moving Services featured image

SC Moving Services

9.20/10
ExceptionalView details
Top Maine to Washington Routes

Portland to Washington