Maine to Wisconsin Moving Guide
Updated June 23, 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 Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Maine to Wisconsin
- Long, harsh winters
- Higher cost of living
- Distance from Midwest
- Fewer job opportunities
- Limited sports culture
- Milder winter climate
- More affordable housing
- Closer to Midwest cities
- Diverse job market
- Vibrant sports scene
- Lacks ocean front
- Less seafood variety
- Fewer historic sites
- More urbanized areas
- No local lobster trade
- 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
Comparison | Maine | Wisconsin |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Lobster Roll | Cheese Curds |
Most popular meat dish | Lobster | Bratwurst |
Most popular street food item | Italian Sandwich | Fried Cheese Curds |
Most popular vegan food | Blueberry Cobbler | Beer-battered Mushrooms |
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 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
Comparison | Maine | Wisconsin |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial, Cottage | Craftsman, Cape Cod |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Near nature, water view | Family-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 Maineβs $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
Comparison | Maine | Wisconsin |
---|---|---|
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, Ice Storms | Tornadoes, Winter Storms |
Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 70Β°F / 50Β°F | 82Β°F / 62Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 31Β°F / 11Β°F | 28Β°F / 13Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 47 | 34 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 75 | 48 |
- 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
Comparison | Maine | Wisconsin |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $69,543 | $70,996 |
Cost of Living Index | 116.5 | 95.65 |
State Income Tax | 5.8% | 6.27% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.35% | 1.68% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 5.5% | 5.44% |
Top 3 Industries | Healthcare, Retail, Tourism | Manufacturing, Agriculture, Healthcare |
Affluence | Moderate | Moderate |
Poverty | Low | Moderate |
Homelessness | Low | Low |
- 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
Comparison | Maine | Wisconsin |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Moderately Liberal | Mixed, Swing State |
Local Politics | Communities lean liberal, especially in urban areas | Diverse; urban areas lean liberal, rural areas more conservative |
Religion | Christianity predominant, with a growing number of non-affiliated residents | Christianity 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
Comparison | Maine | Wisconsin |
---|---|---|
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 Schools | Cape Elizabeth Schools Falmouth Elementary Yarmouth Schools | Swallow School in Hartland Elm Lawn Elementary in Middleton Shorewood Hills Elementary in Shorewood |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Yarmouth 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 Schools | Yarmouth High Falmouth High Cape Elizabeth High | Brookfield East High Cedarburg High Whitefish Bay High |
Top 3 private high schools | Waynflete 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 schools | Waynflete 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 Districts | Falmouth 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 SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,862 | 300 ft3 | $6.21 |
1 Bedroom | $2,771 | 450 ft3 | $6.16 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,581 | 750 ft3 | $6.11 |
3 Bedrooms | $6,664 | 1100 ft3 | $6.06 |
4 Bedrooms | $9,613 | 1600 ft3 | $6.01 |
5+ Bedrooms | $10,724 | 1800 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.