Movers

Maine to Wisconsin Moving Guide

Updated June 23, 2025

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Planning a 1,164 mile interstate move from Maine to Wisconsin? This moving guide will help you compare living in Maine vs Wisconsin across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like long, harsh winters vs milder winter climate), food & health (like Lobster Roll vs Cheese Curds), real estate & housing (colonial, cottage vs craftsman, cape cod), 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 Cheese Curds & Bratwurst
  • Wisconsin housing costs are 25% less expensive than they are in Maine
  • Rent in Wisconsin is 31.17% more affordable than in Maine
  • Moving from Maine to Wisconsin will cost on average between $2,000 - $6,500
  • Our top recommended Maine to Wisconsin movers is Elite Movers

Maine to Wisconsin Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Maine to Wisconsin

ConsMaine iconMaine
  • Long, harsh winters
  • Higher cost of living
  • Distance from Midwest
  • Fewer job opportunities
  • Limited sports culture
ProsWisconsin iconWisconsin
  • Milder winter climate
  • More affordable housing
  • Closer to Midwest cities
  • Diverse job market
  • Vibrant sports scene

Wisconsin iconWisconsin
  • Lacks ocean front
  • Less seafood variety
  • Fewer historic sites
  • More urbanized areas
  • No local lobster trade
Maine iconMaine
  • Stunning coastal views
  • Rich seafood cuisine
  • Historic appeal
  • Peaceful rural lifestyle
  • Distinctive lobstering culture

Pros of moving from Maine to Wisconsin

  • Say goodbye to long, harsh winters and hello to a milder winter climate
  • Look forward to moving away from a higher cost of living and moving to Wisconsin with more affordable housing
  • Swap the distance from the Midwest of Maine for being closer to Midwest cities in Wisconsin
  • Get ready for a diverse job market in Wisconsin

Cons of moving from Maine to Wisconsin

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from stunning coastal views in Maine to live with a lack of oceanfront in Wisconsin
  • You'll lose out on the pro of rich seafood cuisine and have to settle for the con of less seafood variety
  • Time to bid farewell to historic appeal and get used to fewer historic sites in Wisconsin
  • Swap a peaceful rural lifestyle for more urbanized areas

Maine vs. Wisconsin: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonMaineWisconsin
Most iconic local food itemLobster RollCheese Curds
Most popular meat dishLobsterBratwurst
Most popular street food itemItalian SandwichFried Cheese Curds
Most popular vegan foodBlueberry CobblerBeer-battered Mushrooms
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Eventide Oyster Co.
  • Fore Street
  • Duckfat
  • The Old Fashioned
  • Mader's
  • Sentinel
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 Wisconsin, you will be trading the iconic Lobster Roll of Maine for the equally delicious Cheese Curds of Wisconsin. And while the locals in Maine rave about their flavorful Lobster and sumptuous Italian Sandwich, Wisconsin residents know they have tasty Bratwurst and Fried Cheese Curds 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 Beer-battered Mushrooms of Wisconsin. 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 Wisconsin, don't wait too long before making your way to Wisconsin's acclaimed eateries like The Old Fashioned, Mader's, and Sentinel.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Maine and Wisconsin

ComparisonMaineWisconsin
Typical Architecture StyleColonial, CottageCraftsman, Cape Cod
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 listingNear nature, water viewFamily-friendly, near schools
  • The Colonial and Cottage architecture that Maine is known for will be replaced with the Craftsman and Cape Cod architecture typical of Wisconsin.
  • Compared to Maine's real estate listings that commonly reference being near nature and water views, Wisconsin real estate listings often highlight features like being family-friendly and near schools.
  • Make sure you unpack those walking shoes; Wisconsin is more walkable than Maine.
  • Make sure the movers take care of your bike; Wisconsin is more bike-friendly than Maine.
  • Wisconsin has more of an urban feel than Maine.
  • Wisconsin housing costs are 25% less expensive than they are in Maine, with a median home price of $294,909 compared to Maine’s $392,358.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Wisconsin have increased by 47% compared to a 70% increase in Maine.
  • Rent in Wisconsin is 31.17% more affordable than in Maine.

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

ComparisonMaineWisconsin
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, Ice StormsTornadoes, Winter Storms
Air QualityGoodModerate
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)70Β°F / 50Β°F82Β°F / 62Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)31Β°F / 11Β°F28Β°F / 13Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)4734
Annual Snowfall (Inches)7548
  • The shades won't be used as much for your move from Maine to Wisconsin. Wisconsin gets 6% fewer sunshine days than Maine.
  • Wisconsin has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Maine.
  • Say goodbye to the possible nor'easters and ice storms in Maine, but be on the lookout for potential tornadoes and winter storms in Wisconsin.
  • Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Wisconsin is 12 degrees warmer than in Maine.
  • The average winter lows are 2 degrees warmer than they are in Maine.
  • Your umbrella might be neglected in Wisconsin. Wisconsin receives 13 fewer inches of rain compared to Maine.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Maine and Wisconsin

ComparisonMaineWisconsin
Avg. Household Income$69,543$70,996
Cost of Living Index116.595.65
State Income Tax5.8%6.27%
Avg. Property Tax1.35%1.68%
Avg. Sales Tax5.5%5.44%
Top 3 IndustriesHealthcare, Retail, TourismManufacturing, Agriculture, Healthcare
AffluenceModerateModerate
PovertyLowModerate
HomelessnessLowLow
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Wisconsin tend to earn about 2% more than in Maine
  • The COLI in Wisconsin is 18% lower than what you are used to living in Maine
  • The state income tax in WI is 6.27% compared to 5.8% in ME
  • The affluence in Wisconsin is moderate compared to moderate in Maine
  • The poverty level is moderate in Wisconsin compared to low in Maine
  • In terms of homelessness, it is low in Maine and low in Wisconsin

Political and Religious Climate in Maine vs. Wisconsin

ComparisonMaineWisconsin
Political Make-upModerately LiberalMixed, Swing State
Local PoliticsCommunities lean liberal, especially in urban areasDiverse; urban areas lean liberal, rural areas more conservative
ReligionChristianity predominant, with a growing number of non-affiliated residentsChristianity dominant, particularly Catholicism and Lutheranism
  • Maine tends to lean moderately Liberal in its political climate
  • Wisconsin, on the other hand, is often described as a mixed Swing State
  • Wisconsin's religious environment can be described as Christianity dominant, particularly Catholicism and Lutheranism
  • Maine's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as predominantly Christianity, with a growing number of non-affiliated residents

Education Guide When Moving from Maine to Wisconsin

ComparisonMaineWisconsin
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)University of Maine
Bates College
Colby College
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Marquette University
University of Wisconsin-La Crosse
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsCape Elizabeth Schools
Falmouth Elementary
Yarmouth Schools
Swallow School in Hartland
Elm Lawn Elementary in Middleton
Shorewood Hills Elementary in Shorewood
Top 3 Middle SchoolsYarmouth Middle
Falmouth Middle
Cape Elizabeth Middle
Longfellow Middle School in Wauwatosa
Lake Shore Middle in Mequon
Pilgrim Park Middle School in Elm Grove
Top 3 High School SchoolsYarmouth High
Falmouth High
Cape Elizabeth High
Brookfield East High
Cedarburg High
Whitefish Bay High
Top 3 private high schoolsWaynflete School in Portland
Berwick Academy in South Berwick
John Bapst Memorial High in Bangor
University School of Milwaukee
Marquette University High in Milwaukee
Brookfield Academy in Brookfield
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsWaynflete School in Portland
Berwick Academy in South Berwick
North Yarmouth Academy in Yarmouth
University School of Milwaukee
Brookfield Academy in Brookfield
Prairie School in Racine
Top 3 School DistrictsFalmouth Public Schools
Yarmouth Schools
Cape Elizabeth Schools
Mequon-Thiensville School District
Elmbrook School District
Whitefish Bay School District

How Much Do Maine to Wisconsin Movers Cost?

Moving 1,164 miles from Maine to Wisconsin will typically cost between $3,000 and $6,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.

  • Expected Range: $3,000 - $6,500
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-2 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Above Average Moving LLC
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,862300 ft3$6.21
1 Bedroom$2,771450 ft3$6.16
2 Bedrooms$4,581750 ft3$6.11
3 Bedrooms$6,6641100 ft3$6.06
4 Bedrooms$9,6131600 ft3$6.01
5+ Bedrooms$10,7241800 ft3$5.96

Top Maine to Wisconsin Movers

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

TOP PICK
Elite Movers featured image

Elite Movers

Best moving company overall for Maine to Wisconsin

9.58/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
MACS Moving and Storage featured image

MACS Moving and Storage

9.43/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
SC Moving Services featured image

SC Moving Services

9.20/10
ExceptionalView details
Top Maine to Wisconsin Routes

Portland to Wisconsin