Michigan to Maine Moving Guide
Updated June 19, 2025

Planning a 1,002 mile interstate move from Michigan to Maine? This moving guide will help you compare living in Michigan vs Maine across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like harsh winters vs milder winters), food & health (like Coney Dog vs Lobster Roll), real estate & housing (ranch, colonial vs cape cod, colonial), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Maine), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Coney Dog and Venison, but get your taste buds ready for Lobster Roll & Lobster
- Maine housing costs are 64% more expensive than they are in Michigan
- Rent in Maine is 25.24% more expensive than in Michigan
- Moving from Michigan to Maine will cost on average between $2,000 - $6,500
- Our top recommended Michigan to Maine movers is Pro-Low Moving
Michigan to Maine Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Michigan to Maine
- Harsh winters
- Higher cost of living
- Heavy traffic
- Urban sprawl
- Milder winters
- Affordable housing
- Less congestion
- Natural beauty
- Fewer large lakes
- Limited job opportunities
- Rural isolation
- Fewer major events
- Great Lakes access
- Diverse job market
- Vibrant cities
- Large sports venues
Pros of moving from Michigan to Maine
- Say goodbye to harsh winters and hello to milder winters
- Look forward to moving away from a higher cost of living and moving to Maine with affordable housing
- Swap the heavy traffic of Michigan for less congestion in Maine
- Get ready for natural beauty in Maine
Cons of moving from Michigan to Maine
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from Great Lakes access in Michigan to live with fewer large lakes in Maine
- You'll lose out on the pro of a diverse job market and have to settle with the con of limited job opportunities
- Time to bid farewell to vibrant cities and get used to rural isolation in Maine
- Swap large sports venues for fewer major events
Michigan vs. Maine: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Michigan | Maine |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Coney Dog | Lobster Roll |
Most popular meat dish | Venison | Lobster |
Most popular street food item | Coney Dog | Italian Sandwich |
Most popular vegan food | Tempeh Reuben Sandwich | Seaweed Salad |
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 Michigan to Maine, you will be trading the iconic Coney Dog of Michigan for the equally delicious Lobster Roll of Maine. And while the locals in Michigan rave about their flavorful Venison and sumptuous Coney Dog, Maine residents know they have tasty Lobster and Italian Sandwich to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Tempeh Reuben Sandwich they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Seaweed Salad of Maine. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Michigan eateries like Zingerman's Delicatessen, Slows Bar BQ, and American Coney Island. After the boxes are unpacked in Maine, don't wait too long before making your way to Maine's acclaimed eateries like Eventide Oyster Co., Fore Street, and The Lost Kitchen.
When comparing lifestyles, Maine shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Michigan. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Maine compared to what you are used to in Michigan. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Maine.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Michigan and Maine
Comparison | Michigan | Maine |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Ranch, Colonial | Cape Cod, Colonial |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Lake access, Open floor plans | Ocean proximity, Historic details |
- The Ranch and Colonial architecture that Michigan is known for will be replaced with the Cape Cod and Colonial architecture typical of Maine.
- Compared to Michigan's real estate listings that commonly reference lake access and open floor plans, Maine real estate listings often highlight features like ocean proximity and historic details.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away. Maine is less walkable than Michigan.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike. Maine is less bike-friendly than Michigan.
- Maine has less of an urban feel than Michigan.
- Maine housing costs are 64% more expensive than they are in Michigan, with a median home price of $392,358 compared to Michiganβs $239,770.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Maine have increased by 70% compared to a 45% increase in Michigan.
- Rent in Maine is 25.24% more expensive than in Michigan.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Michigan and Maine
Comparison | Michigan | Maine |
---|---|---|
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 | Snowstorms, Tornadoes | Snowstorms, Nor'easters |
Air Quality | Good | Very Good |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 80Β°F / 59Β°F | 79Β°F / 58Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 31Β°F / 18Β°F | 31Β°F / 13Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 32.8" | 45.7" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 60.7" | 75" |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Michigan to Maine. Maine gets 18% more sunshine days than Michigan.
- Maine has higher humidity and a similar average UV index compared to Michigan.
- Say goodbye to the possible snowstorms and tornadoes in Michigan, but be on the lookout for potential snowstorms and nor'easters in Maine.
- The average summer high temperature in Maine is 1 degree colder than in Michigan.
- The average winter lows are 5 degrees colder than they are in Michigan.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Maine. Maine receives 12.9 more inches of rain compared to Michigan.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Michigan and Maine
Comparison | Michigan | Maine |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $66,986 | $69,543 |
Cost of Living Index | 91.2 | 116.5 |
State Income Tax | 4.25% | 5.8% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.64% | 1.09% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6.00% | 5.50% |
Top 3 Industries | Automotive, Manufacturing, Agriculture | Forestry, Tourism, Agriculture |
Affluence | Moderate | Comfortable |
Poverty | Noticeable | Low |
Homelessness | Manageable | Minimal |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Maine tend to earn about 4% more than in Michigan
- The COLI in Maine will be 28% higher than what you are used to living in Michigan
- The state income tax in ME is 5.8% compared to 4.25% in MI
- The affluence in Maine is comfortable compared to moderate in Michigan
- The poverty level is low in Maine compared to noticeable in Michigan
- In terms of homelessness, it is manageable in Michigan and minimal in Maine
Political and Religious Climate in Michigan vs. Maine
Comparison | Michigan | Maine |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Swing state; recent tendencies lean Democratic | Largely Democratic, especially in urban areas |
Local Politics | Diverse, with a mix of urban Democratic strongholds and rural Republican areas | Local politics can vary widely, with a clear division between more Conservative rural areas and Liberal urban centers |
Religion | Mix of Protestant, Catholic, and increasingly diverse religions | Predominantly Protestant, with a growing diversity in religious beliefs |
- Michigan tends to lean swing state; recent tendencies lean Democratic in its political climate
- Maine, on the other hand, is often described as largely Democratic, especially in urban areas
- Maine's religious environment can be described as predominantly Protestant with a growing diversity in religious beliefs
- Michigan's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as a mix of Protestant, Catholic, and increasingly diverse religions
Education Guide When Moving from Michigan to Maine
Comparison | Michigan | Maine |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Michigan Michigan State University Wayne State University | University of Maine Bowdoin College Bates College |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Bates Elementary (Ann Arbor) Wealthy Elementary (East Grand Rapids) Musson Elementary (Rochester Hills) | Cape Elizabeth Elementary (Cape Elizabeth) Falmouth Elementary (Falmouth) Yarmouth Elementary (Yarmouth) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | West Middle School (Rochester Hills) East Middle School (Grand Blanc) Boulan Park Middle School (Troy) | Yarmouth Middle School (Yarmouth) Cape Elizabeth Middle School (Cape Elizabeth) Falmouth Middle School (Falmouth) |
Top 3 High Schools | International Academy (Bloomfield Hills) Rochester Adams High (Rochester Hills) Northville High (Northville) | Cape Elizabeth High (Cape Elizabeth) Falmouth High (Falmouth) Yarmouth High (Yarmouth) |
Top 3 private high schools | Detroit Country Day (Beverly Hills) Cranbrook Schools (Bloomfield Hills) Greenhills School (Ann Arbor) | Waynflete School (Portland) John Bapst Memorial High School (Bangor) Berwick Academy (South Berwick) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Roeper School (Bloomfield Hills) Greenhills School (Ann Arbor) Cranbrook Schools (Bloomfield Hills) | Waynflete School (Portland) Berwick Academy (South Berwick) North Yarmouth Academy (Yarmouth) |
Top 3 School Districts | Bloomfield Hills Schools Ann Arbor Public Schools East Grand Rapids Public Schools | Cape Elizabeth School District Falmouth School District Yarmouth School District |
How Much Do Michigan to Maine Movers Cost?
Moving 1,002 miles from Michigan to Maine will typically cost between $2,500 and $6,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $2,500 - $6,500
- Expected Time To Complete: 6.5-15.5 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Pro-Low Moving
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,771 | 300 ft3 | $5.90 |
1 Bedroom | $2,633 | 450 ft3 | $5.85 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,351 | 750 ft3 | $5.80 |
3 Bedrooms | $6,327 | 1100 ft3 | $5.75 |
4 Bedrooms | $9,123 | 1600 ft3 | $5.70 |
5+ Bedrooms | $10,173 | 1800 ft3 | $5.65 |
Top Michigan to Maine Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Michigan to Maine movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.