Best Portland to Milwaukee Movers

How Much Do Portland to Milwaukee Movers Cost?

Moving 1,206 miles from Portland, ME to Milwaukee, WI will typically cost between $3,000 and $7,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.

Pro tip for the cheapest long distance move

Find long distance movers in Milwaukee that already have a booked job heading from Milwaukee to Portland. Their moving truck would be making the trip back to Milwaukee from Portland entirely empty. If you can find a Milwaukee moving company willing to move your stuff on the return leg, you'll score a real deal!

Moving Containers: A cheaper Portland to Milwaukee moving option

Hire local Portland movers for the pickup location at an hourly rate. They can quickly load your moving container. When your container is dropped off at your new home, hire Milwaukee movers to unpack the container and move you into your new home. You'll have to piece this Portland to Milwaukee move together yourself with at least 3 different companies. Taking on this scheduling responsibility will save you a little money by moving with this strategy.

How we ranked the top Portland to Milwaukee movers

Why you should trust us

We take reviews seriously to protect people just like you! Our team has been crunching data on moving companies since 2010. Our math-based ranking system uses data, manual review, and statistical analysis to help you hire the best Portland, ME to Milwaukee, WI long distance movers.

Rating Methodology

Here's the methodology we used to come up with the best movers for the Portland to Milwaukee moving route:

Our original review-based ranking algorithm

We started with a total of 21 companies that offer interstate moving services in both the Portland and Milwaukee areas.

From these 21 companies, we analyzed a total of 4,271 reviews dating all the way back to May 2009.

We also reviewed a total of 8 state and federal moving licenses from these 21 companies and 107 different 3rd party review and social profiles.

Each of the ~4,000 reviews was scored according to our detailed 11-point rating criteria

Reviews are time-weighted so that more recent reviews carry more weight. This helps you understand how a mover is doing today... not 5 years ago. We have 2,348 Portland to Milwaukee moving company data points from the past 2 years that carry more weight.

Bayesian averages calculated to fairly account for the differences between companies that are newer(like Gorilla Movers Of Wisconsin Inc.) vs older more established companies (like SC Moving Services).

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The Great Guys Moving 11-Point Rating Breakdown

Our 11-point rating criteria scores every Portland to Milwaukee moving company across 11 of the most important criteria for a succesful moving experience.

Quality

Overall quality of the service provided on moving day.

8.84/10 avg (Portland & Milwaukee combined) from 2,596 reviews

Punctuality

Did the crew show up on-time with the required equipment?

8.48/10 avg (Portland & Milwaukee combined) from 846 reviews

Affordability

How affordable was the moving service?

7.82/10 avg (Portland & Milwaukee combined) from 509 reviews

Communication

Responsiveness before, during, and after the move.

8.05/10 avg (Portland & Milwaukee combined) from 952 reviews

Stick to Prices

Was the final price consistent with the original quote?

6.98/10 avg (Portland & Milwaukee combined) from 307 reviews

Speed

Efficiency without taking unnecessary time to increase costs.

9.00/10 avg (Portland & Milwaukee combined) from 1,117 reviews

Friendliness

Was the moving crew cordial and friendly on moving day?

9.21/10 avg (Portland & Milwaukee combined) from 1,637 reviews

Will Hire Again

How likely a customer is to hire the same movers again.

8.57/10 avg (Portland & Milwaukee combined) from 2,650 reviews

Professionalism

Did the moving crew behave professionally on moving day?

8.81/10 avg (Portland & Milwaukee combined) from 1,553 reviews

Conflict Handling

How well the company responds to accidents and issues.

4.46/10 avg (Portland & Milwaukee combined) from 214 reviews

Precision & Care

Were walls scratched? Did furniture get damaged or lost?

8.49/10 avg (Portland & Milwaukee combined) from 1,335 reviews

From Portland to Milwaukee: Comparable Neighborhoods at a Glance

• Old Port in Portland & Third Ward in Milwaukee are both known for their: historic waterfront district, cobblestone streets & dining scene
• Portland's East End neighborhood & Milwaukee's East Side both share: artsy neighborhood with galleries & walkable cafes
• If you're moving from West End, check out Shorewood in the Milwaukee area for the: quiet residential area with historic homes near water
• Do you enjoy Munjoy Hill's hilltop views over water, local eateries & tight-knit community? You're sure to love Bay View
• Move from Bayside to Third Ward and continue to enjoy these neighborhood qualities: mixed-use redevelopment, modern condos & waterfront promenade
• Deering Center & Shorewood are both known for their: suburban feel within the city, family-oriented atmosphere & good schools
• Portland's Rosemont neighborhood & Milwaukee's Historic Concordia neighborhood both have: quiet neighborhood with vintage homes & tree-lined streets
• If you're moving from Back Cove, look into Riverwest for the: eco-friendly bike paths & parks along water
• Do you cherish living in North Deering's working-class heritage & proximity to the industrial waterfront? Move into Bay View for something similar

Pros and Cons of Moving from Portland to Milwaukee

ConsPortland, ME

• High housing costs
• Limited job opportunities
• Long winters
• Small city feel

ProsMilwaukee, WI

• Lower living expenses
• Diverse job market
• Milder climate
• Urban lifestyle

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Milwaukee, WI

• No ocean nearby
• Larger city pace
• Fewer local markets
• Higher crime rates

Portland, ME

• Coastal scenery
• Small-town charm
• Farmers markets
• Lower Crime

Pros of moving from Portland to Milwaukee

• Say goodbye to high housing costs and hello to lower living expenses
• Look forward to moving away from limited job opportunities and moving to Milwaukee with a diverse job market
• Swap the long winters of Portland for a milder climate in Milwaukee
• Get ready for an urban lifestyle in Milwaukee

Cons of moving from Portland to Milwaukee

• Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from coastal scenery in Portland to live with no ocean nearby in Milwaukee
• You'll lose out on the pro of small-town charm and have to settle for the con of larger city pace
• Time to bid farewell to farmers markets and get used to fewer local markets in Milwaukee
• Swap lower crime for higher crime rates

Portland vs. Milwaukee: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

If you're moving from Portland to Milwaukee, you will be trading the iconic Lobster Roll of Portland for the equally delicious Cheese Curds of Milwaukee. And while the locals in Portland rave about their flavorful Clam Chowder and sumptuous Fish Tacos, Milwaukee residents know they have tasty Bratwurst and Polish Sausage to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Portabella Sandwich they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Jackfruit Tacos of Milwaukee. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Portland eateries like 1. Eventide Oyster Co., 2. Fore Street, and 3. Central Provisions. After the boxes are unpacked in Milwaukee, don't wait too long before making your way to Milwaukee's acclaimed eateries like 1. Bacchus, 2. Sobelmans, and 3. Bartolotta’s Lake Park Bistro.

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

Discover Milwaukee Restaurants You'll Love

Moving to Milwaukee is an opportunity to try lots of new restaurants. Sure, you'll miss your old Portland favorites, but we've got you covered. If you loved Fore Street, Duckfat, and Eventide Oyster Co. in Portland, we're sure you'll love Supper Club, Cafe Hollander, and Harbor House in Milwaukee. See our Milwaukee restaurant discovery table below to find the closest comparison restaurant to all of your cherished Portland hotspots. For example, if you enjoyed dining at Central Provisions, head to Odd Duck on your first Friday night after the boxes are unpacked.

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Portland and Milwaukee

• The Colonial architecture that Portland is known for will be replaced with the Craftsman architecture typical of Milwaukee.
• Compared to Portland's real estate listings that commonly reference proximity to the waterfront, Milwaukee's real estate listings often highlight features like historic homes.
• You can keep your walking shoes packed away as Milwaukee is less walkable than Portland.
• You might want to think twice before moving your bike because Milwaukee is less bike-friendly than Portland.
• Milwaukee has less of an urban feel than Portland.
• Milwaukee housing costs are 64% less expensive than they are in Portland, with a median home price of $196,698 compared to Portland’s $548,318.
• Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Milwaukee have increased by 62% compared to a 64% increase in Portland.
• Rent in Milwaukee is 42.44% more affordable than in Portland.

Pet-friendly Neighborhoods in Milwaukee, WI

1. Bay View : You’ll love Bay View for its abundance of parks and green spaces that are perfect for pet walks and playtime.
2. East Side : This area offers numerous pet-friendly cafes and stores, allowing you to enjoy leisurely outings with your furry friends.
3. Riverwest : Riverwest is known for its strong community vibe and pet-friendly events, making it an inviting place for both you and your pets.

Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Portland and Milwaukee

• The shades won't be used as much for your move from Portland to Milwaukee. Milwaukee gets 1% fewer sunshine days than Portland.
• Milwaukee has higher humidity and a similar average UV index compared to Portland.
• Say goodbye to the possible nor'easters and coastal flooding in Portland, but be on the lookout for potential tornadoes and winter storms in Milwaukee.
• The average summer high temperature in Milwaukee is 3 degrees warmer than in Portland.
• The average winter lows are 2 degrees warmer than they are in Portland.
• Your umbrella might be neglected in Milwaukee. Milwaukee receives 15 fewer inches of rain compared to Portland.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Portland and Milwaukee

• When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Milwaukee tend to earn about 34% less than in Portland
• The COLI in Milwaukee is 13% lower than what you are used to living in Portland
• The state income tax in WI is 6.27 compared to 7.15 in ME
• The affluence in Milwaukee is working class compared to upper middle class in Portland
• The poverty level is moderate in Milwaukee compared to low in Portland
• In terms of homelessness, it is minimal in Portland and moderate in Milwaukee

Political and Religious Climate in Portland vs. Milwaukee

• Portland tends to lean Liberal-leaning in its political climate
• Milwaukee, on the other hand, is often described as Democratic-leaning
• Milwaukee's religious environment can be described as predominantly Christian and diverse religious communities
• Portland's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as religious but diverse, with a strong presence of non-religious individuals

Portland vs. Milwaukee Traffic and Public Transit Considerations

• Bummer! Looks like you might end up spending about 15% more time stuck in traffic commuting to work in Milwaukee compared to your Portland commute. That's 1560 minutes lost each year in a car.
• You can expect traffic in Milwaukee to be worse than it is in Portland.
• Public transit is more readily available in Milwaukee.