Montana to Maine Moving Guide
Updated June 23, 2025

Planning a 2,442 mile interstate move from Montana to Maine? This moving guide will help you compare living in Montana vs Maine across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like long harsh winters vs milder seasonal climate), food & health (like Bison steak vs Lobster Roll), real estate & housing (ranch, mountain modern vs colonial, cape cod), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Maine), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Bison steak and Elk burgers, but get your taste buds ready for Lobster Roll & Lobster stew
- Maine housing costs are 14% less expensive than they are in Montana
- Rent in Maine is 28.90% more expensive than in Montana
- Moving from Montana to Maine will cost on average between $2,500 - $9,500
- Our top recommended Montana to Maine movers is SC Moving Services
Montana to Maine Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Montana to Maine
- Long harsh winters
- Isolated areas
- Limited seafood
- Low coastal access
- Lower population density
- Milder seasonal climate
- Better accessibility
- Fresh seafood
- Scenic coastline
- More community events
- Less mountainous
- Less rural charm
- Higher cost of living
- Denser population
- Different wildlife
- Stunning mountains
- Ranching lifestyle
- Lower cost of living
- Wide open spaces
- Unique wildlife
Pros of moving from Montana to Maine
- Say goodbye to long harsh winters and hello to a milder seasonal climate
- Look forward to moving away from isolated areas and moving to Maine with better accessibility
- Swap the limited seafood of Montana for fresh seafood in Maine
- Get ready for a scenic coastline in Maine
Cons of moving from Montana to Maine
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from stunning mountains in Montana to live with less mountainous areas in Maine
- You'll lose out on the pro of a ranching lifestyle and have to settle for the con of less rural charm
- Time to bid farewell to a lower cost of living and get used to a higher cost of living in Maine
- Swap wide open spaces for a denser population
Montana vs. Maine: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Montana | Maine |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Bison steak | Lobster Roll |
Most popular meat dish | Elk burgers | Lobster stew |
Most popular street food item | Huckleberry pie | Italian sandwich |
Most popular vegan food | Lentil burger | 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 Montana to Maine, you will be trading the iconic Bison steak of Montana for the equally delicious Lobster Roll of Maine. And while the locals in Montana rave about their flavorful Elk burgers and sumptuous Huckleberry pie, Maine residents know they have tasty Lobster stew and Italian sandwich to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Lentil burger 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 Montana eateries like The Bison Bar, Huckleberry House, and Big Sky Diner. 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., Lobster Shack, and Fore Street.
When comparing lifestyles, Maine shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Montana. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Maine compared to what you are used to in Montana. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Maine.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Montana and Maine
Comparison | Montana | Maine |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Ranch, Mountain Modern | Colonial, Cape Cod |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Scenic views, Acreage | Access to coast, Historical features |
- The Ranch and Mountain Modern architecture that Montana is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Cape Cod architecture typical of Maine.
- Compared to Montana's real estate listings that commonly reference scenic views and acreage, Maine real estate listings often highlight features like access to the coast and historical features.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Maine is more walkable than Montana.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Maine is more bike-friendly than Montana.
- Maine has more of an urban feel than Montana.
- Maine housing costs are 14% less expensive than they are in Montana, with a median home price of $392,358 compared to Montanaβs $456,199.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Maine have increased by 70% compared to a 71% increase in Montana.
- Rent in Maine is 28.90% more expensive than in Montana.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Montana and Maine
Comparison | Montana | 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 | Wildfires, Flooding | Blizzards, Coastal Storms |
Air Quality | Good | Good |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 80Β°F / 45Β°F | 79Β°F / 59Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 34Β°F / 13Β°F | 31Β°F / 13Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 15" | 45" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 55" | 75" |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Montana to Maine. Maine gets 3% fewer sunshine days than Montana.
- Maine has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Montana.
- Say goodbye to the possible wildfires and flooding in Montana, but be on the lookout for potential blizzards and coastal storms in Maine.
- The average summer high temperature in Maine is 1 degree colder than in Montana.
- The average winter lows are 0 degrees colder than they are in Montana.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Maine. Maine receives 30 more inches of rain compared to Montana.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Montana and Maine
Comparison | Montana | Maine |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $67,631 | $69,543 |
Cost of Living Index | 99.4 | 116.5 |
State Income Tax | 6.9% | 7.15% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.85% | 1.30% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 0% | 5.5% |
Top 3 Industries | Agriculture, Mining, Tourism | Healthcare, Retail, Tourism |
Affluence | Moderate | Lower |
Poverty | Moderate | Slightly High |
Homelessness | Low | Moderate |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Maine tend to earn about 3% more than in Montana
- The COLI in Maine will be 17% higher than what you are used to living in Montana
- The state income tax in ME is 7.15% compared to 6.9% in MT
- The affluence in Maine is lower compared to moderate affluence in Montana
- The poverty level is slightly high in Maine compared to moderate poverty in Montana
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in Montana and moderate in Maine
Political and Religious Climate in Montana vs. Maine
Comparison | Montana | Maine |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Lean Conservative | Lean Liberal |
Local Politics | Rural interests dominate | Coastal and urban interests lead |
Religion | Largely Christian, with significant non-religious population | Predominantly Christian, but with a noticeable presence of non-religious individuals |
- Montana tends to lean Conservative in its political climate
- Maine, on the other hand, is often described as leaning Liberal
- Maine's religious environment can be described as predominantly Christian, but with a noticeable presence of non-religious individuals
- Montana's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as largely Christian, with a significant non-religious population
Education Guide When Moving from Montana to Maine
Comparison | Montana | Maine |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | Montana State University University of Montana Montana Tech | University of Maine Bowdoin College Bates College |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Chief Joseph Elementary - Bozeman Hawthorne Elementary - Bozeman Rattlesnake Elementary - Missoula | Cape Elizabeth Elementary - Cape Elizabeth Falmouth Elementary - Falmouth Cumberland Elementary - Cumberland |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Sacajawea Middle School - Bozeman Washington Middle School - Missoula Lewis & Clark Middle School - Billings | Yarmouth Middle School - Yarmouth Cape Elizabeth Middle School - Cape Elizabeth Falmouth Middle School - Falmouth |
Top 3 High Schools | Bozeman High School - Bozeman Hellgate High School - Missoula Billing Senior High School - Billings | Cape Elizabeth High School - Cape Elizabeth Falmouth High School - Falmouth Gorham High School - Gorham |
Top 3 private high schools | Mount Ellis Academy - Bozeman Missoula International School - Missoula Valley Christian School - Missoula | Waynflete School - Portland John Bapst Memorial High School - Bangor Hebron Academy - Hebron |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Petra Academy - Bozeman The Discovery School - Victor Heritage Christian School - Bozeman | Merriconeag Waldorf School - Freeport Waynflete School - Portland North Yarmouth Academy - Yarmouth |
Top 3 School Districts | Bozeman High School District Billings School District Missoula County Public Schools | Falmouth School District Cape Elizabeth School District Yarmouth Schools |
How Much Do Montana to Maine Movers Cost?
Moving 2,442 miles from Montana to Maine will typically cost between $4,000 and $9,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $4,000 - $9,500
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: SC Moving Services
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $2,587 | 300 ft3 | $8.62 |
1 Bedroom | $3,858 | 450 ft3 | $8.57 |
2 Bedrooms | $6,392 | 750 ft3 | $8.52 |
3 Bedrooms | $9,320 | 1100 ft3 | $8.47 |
4 Bedrooms | $13,477 | 1600 ft3 | $8.42 |
5+ Bedrooms | $15,072 | 1800 ft3 | $8.37 |
Top Montana to Maine Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Montana to Maine movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.