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Maine to Wisconsin Moving Guide

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Updated August 20, 2025

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 featured image

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
Exceptional
RUNNER-UP
MACS Moving and Storage featured image

MACS Moving and Storage

9.44/10
Exceptional
ALSO GREAT
Vacationland Moving featured image

Vacationland Moving

9.02/10
Superb

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-upIndependent streak with frequent split-ticket voting; recent presidential and statewide results lean Democratic overall; rural northern areas tend to be more conservative, while coastal and southern communities lean more liberal.Highly competitive swing state with razor-thin margins; urban centers (Madison, Milwaukee) lean Democratic, many suburbs and rural counties lean Republican; divided government is common.
Local PoliticsMany municipalities use town-meeting governance; robust citizen-initiated referendums and people's vetoes; ranked-choice voting used for federal races and most state primaries; local issues often include fisheries, forestry, tourism, and property taxes.Home-rule cities and villages; local elections are officially nonpartisan; school and county boards are influential; no statewide citizen-initiative process (statewide amendments are legislature-referred); local issues often include manufacturing, agriculture, water quality, and property taxes.
ReligionLower religious affiliation and attendance than the national average; Christian plurality (notably mainline Protestant and Catholic); relatively large share of religiously unaffiliated; small but present Jewish, Buddhist, and other faith communities.Higher religious affiliation than Maine; strong Catholic and Lutheran presence alongside other Protestant denominations; moderate share of religiously unaffiliated; growing religious diversity in urban areas.
  • Maine tends to lean independent in its political climate, with frequent split-ticket voting. Recent presidential and statewide results lean Democratic overall, while rural northern areas tend to be more conservative and coastal and southern communities lean more liberal.
  • Wisconsin, on the other hand, is often described as a highly competitive swing state with razor-thin margins. Urban centers, such as Madison and Milwaukee, lean Democratic, while many suburbs and rural counties lean Republican; divided government is common.
  • Wisconsin's religious environment can be described as having a higher religious affiliation than Maine, with a strong Catholic and Lutheran presence alongside other Protestant denominations. There is a moderate share of the religiously unaffiliated and growing religious diversity in urban areas.
  • Maine's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as having a lower religious affiliation and attendance than the national average, with a Christian plurality, notably mainline Protestant and Catholic. There is also a relatively large share of the religiously unaffiliated and a small but present Jewish, Buddhist, and other faith communities.

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 Routes

Portland to Wisconsin