Minnesota to Maine Moving Guide
Updated June 17, 2025

Planning a 1,687 mile interstate move from Minnesota to Maine? This moving guide will help you compare living in Minnesota vs Maine across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like harsh winters vs milder winters), food & health (like Hotdish vs Lobster Roll), real estate & housing (ranch, craftsman vs colonial, cottage), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Minnesota), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Hotdish and Wild Rice Burger, but get your taste buds ready for Lobster Roll & Lobster Stew
- Maine housing costs are 18% more expensive than they are in Minnesota
- Rent in Maine is 9.01% more expensive than in Minnesota
- Moving from Minnesota to Maine will cost on average between $2,000 - $8,000
- Our top recommended Minnesota to Maine movers is Metro Movers
Top Minnesota to Maine Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Minnesota to Maine movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Metro Movers
Best moving company overall for Minnesota to Maine

General Expert Moving Service LLC

Goal Line Moving
Minnesota to Maine Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Minnesota to Maine
- Harsh winters
- High taxes
- Urban congestion
- Flat terrain
- Limited coastline
- Milder winters
- Lower taxes
- Quieter life
- Scenic landscapes
- Beautiful coast
- Less access
- Less cultural diversity
- Fewer sports events
- Limited nightlife
- Fewer job opportunities
- Great healthcare
- Diverse cultures
- Major sports teams
- Vibrant nightlife
- Varied Job Market
Pros of moving from Minnesota to Maine
- Say goodbye to harsh winters and hello to milder winters
- Look forward to moving away from high taxes and moving to Maine with lower taxes
- Swap the urban congestion of Minnesota for a quieter life in Maine
- Get ready for scenic landscapes in Maine
Cons of moving from Minnesota to Maine
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from great healthcare in Minnesota to live with less access in Maine
- You'll lose out on the pro of diverse cultures and have to settle for the con of less cultural diversity
- Time to bid farewell to major sports teams and get used to fewer sports events in Maine
- Swap vibrant nightlife for limited nightlife
Minnesota vs. Maine: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Minnesota | Maine |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Hotdish | Lobster Roll |
Most popular meat dish | Wild Rice Burger | Lobster Stew |
Most popular street food item | Jucy Lucy | Italian Sandwich |
Most popular vegan food | Grain Bowl | Blueberry Cobbler (Vegan Version) |
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 Minnesota to Maine, you will be trading the iconic Hotdish of Minnesota for the equally delicious Lobster Roll of Maine. And while the locals in Minnesota rave about their flavorful Wild Rice Burger and sumptuous Jucy Lucy, Maine residents know they have tasty Lobster Stew and Italian Sandwich to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Grain Bowl they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Blueberry Cobbler (Vegan Version) of Maine. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Minnesota eateries like Matt's Bar, The Bachelor Farmer, and Hell's Kitchen. 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 Duckfat.
When comparing lifestyles, Maine shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Minnesota. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Maine, compared to what you are used to in Minnesota. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Maine.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Minnesota and Maine
Comparison | Minnesota | Maine |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Ranch, Craftsman | Colonial, Cottage |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Lake access, Energy efficiency | Ocean views, Historic properties |
- The Ranch and Craftsman architecture that Minnesota is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Cottage architecture typical of Maine.
- Compared to Minnesota's real estate listings that commonly reference lake access and energy efficiency, Maine real estate listings often highlight features like ocean views and historic properties.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away. Maine is less walkable than Minnesota.
- Maine is similarly bike-friendly to Minnesota.
- Maine has less of an urban feel than Minnesota.
- Maine housing costs are 18% more expensive than they are in Minnesota, with a median home price of $392,358 compared to Minnesotaβs $331,117.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Maine have increased by 70% compared to a 33% increase in Minnesota.
- Rent in Maine is 9.01% more expensive than in Minnesota.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Minnesota and Maine
Comparison | Minnesota | Maine |
---|---|---|
Days of Sunshine per Year | 198 days | 200 days |
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 | Blizzards, Tornadoes | Nor'easters, Blizzards |
Air Quality | Good | Very Good |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 83Β°F / 63Β°F | 79Β°F / 59Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 24Β°F / 7Β°F | 31Β°F / 13Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 30.21" | 47.69" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 54" | 61" |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Minnesota to Maine. Maine gets 1% more sunshine days than Minnesota.
- Maine has higher humidity and a similar average UV index compared to Minnesota.
- Say goodbye to the possible blizzards and tornadoes in Minnesota, but be on the lookout for potential nor'easters and blizzards in Maine.
- Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in Maine is 4 degrees colder than in Minnesota.
- The average winter lows in Maine are 6 degrees warmer than they are in Minnesota.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Maine. Maine receives 17.5 more inches of rain compared to Minnesota.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Minnesota and Maine
Comparison | Minnesota | Maine |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $82,338 | $69,543 |
Cost of Living Index | 98.75 | 116.5 |
State Income Tax | 5.35% - 9.85% | 5.8% - 7.15% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.12% | 1.30% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6.88% | 5.50% |
Top 3 Industries | Manufacturing, Healthcare, Retail | Fishing, Tourism, Healthcare |
Affluence | Moderate | Lower |
Poverty | Manageable | Moderate |
Homelessness | Moderate | Lower |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Maine tend to earn about 16% less than in Minnesota
- The COLI in Maine will be 18% higher than what you are used to living in Minnesota
- The state income tax in ME is 5.8% to 7.15% compared to 5.35% to 9.85% in MN
- The affluence in Maine is lower compared to moderate in Minnesota
- The poverty level is moderate in Maine compared to manageable in Minnesota
- In terms of homelessness, it is moderate in Minnesota and lower in Maine
Political and Religious Climate in Minnesota vs. Maine
Comparison | Minnesota | Maine |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Swing state, leaning Democratic in recent elections | Leans Democratic, especially in presidential elections |
Local Politics | Mix of urban and rural influences, with urban areas more progressive | Distinct rural-urban divide; coastal areas tend to be more progressive |
Religion | Lutheran and Catholic majorities | Catholic majority with a significant unaffiliated population |
- Minnesota tends to lean swing state, leaning Democratic in its political climate
- Maine, on the other hand, is often described as leans Democratic, especially in presidential elections
- Maine's religious environment can be described as a Catholic majority with a significant unaffiliated population
- Minnesota's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Lutheran and Catholic majorities
Education Guide When Moving from Minnesota to Maine
Comparison | Minnesota | Maine |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Minnesota University of St. Thomas Carleton College | University of Maine Bates College Bowdoin College |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Scenic Heights Elementary (Minnetonka) Creek Valley Elementary (Edina) Deephaven Elementary (Minnetonka) | Cape Elizabeth Middle School (Cape Elizabeth) Falmouth Elementary (Falmouth) Yarmouth Elementary (Yarmouth) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Wayzata Central Middle School (Plymouth) Minnetonka Middle School East (Minnetonka) South View Middle School (Edina) | Cape Elizabeth Middle School (Cape Elizabeth) Falmouth Middle School (Falmouth) Yarmouth Middle School (Yarmouth) |
Top 3 High Schools | Minnetonka High School (Minnetonka) Edina High School (Edina) Wayzata High School (Plymouth) | Cape Elizabeth High School (Cape Elizabeth) Falmouth High School (Falmouth) Yarmouth High School (Yarmouth) |
Top 3 private high schools | Breck School (Minneapolis) Blake School (Minneapolis) St. Paul Academy (Saint Paul) | Waynflete School (Portland) John Bapst Memorial High School (Bangor) Berwick Academy (South Berwick) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Minnehaha Academy (Minneapolis) Breck School (Minneapolis) Blake School (Minneapolis) | Waynflete School (Portland) Berwick Academy (South Berwick) Maine Central Institute (Pittsfield) |
Top 3 School Districts | Minnetonka Public Schools Edina Public Schools Wayzata Public Schools | Cape Elizabeth School Department Falmouth School Department Yarmouth Schools |
How Much Do Minnesota to Maine Movers Cost?
Moving 1,687 miles from Minnesota to Maine will typically cost between $3,000 and $8,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $3,000 - $8,000
- Expected Time To Complete: 4.5-8 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Metro Movers
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $2,159 | 300 ft3 | $7.20 |
1 Bedroom | $3,216 | 450 ft3 | $7.15 |
2 Bedrooms | $5,322 | 750 ft3 | $7.10 |
3 Bedrooms | $7,751 | 1100 ft3 | $7.05 |
4 Bedrooms | $11,194 | 1600 ft3 | $7.00 |
5+ Bedrooms | $12,503 | 1800 ft3 | $6.95 |