North Carolina to Maine Moving Guide
Updated June 16, 2025

Planning a 953 mile interstate move from North Carolina to Maine? This moving guide will help you compare living in North Carolina vs Maine across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like hot summers vs cooler summers), food & health (like Pulled Pork BBQ vs Lobster Roll), real estate & housing (colonial, craftsman 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 Pulled Pork BBQ and Eastern NC Barbecue, but get your taste buds ready for Lobster Roll & Lobster
- Maine housing costs are 19% more expensive than those in North Carolina
- Rent in Maine is 4.87% more expensive than in North Carolina
- Moving from North Carolina to Maine will cost on average between $1,500 - $5,500
- Our top recommended North Carolina to Maine movers is Just Move It, LLC
North Carolina to Maine Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from North Carolina to Maine
- Hot summers
- Hurricane risk
- High pollen levels
- Dense urban areas
- Overcrowded beaches
- Cooler summers
- Less severe storms
- Cleaner air
- Spacious rural areas
- Quieter coastline
- Harsh winters
- Fewer job opportunities
- Higher cost of living
- Cultural homogeneity
- Smaller towns
- Mild winters
- Diverse job market
- Lower cost of living
- Rich cultural diversity
- Vibrant cities
Pros of moving from North Carolina to Maine
- Say goodbye to hot summers and hello to cooler summers
- Look forward to moving away from hurricane risk and moving to Maine with less severe storms
- Swap the high pollen levels of North Carolina for cleaner air in Maine
- Get ready for spacious rural areas in Maine
Cons of moving from North Carolina to Maine
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from mild winters in North Carolina to live with harsh winters in Maine
- You'll lose out on the pro of a diverse job market and have to settle with the con of fewer job opportunities
- Time to bid farewell to a lower cost of living and get used to a higher cost of living in Maine
- Swap rich cultural diversity for cultural homogeneity
North Carolina vs. Maine: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | North Carolina | Maine |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Pulled Pork BBQ | Lobster Roll |
Most popular meat dish | Eastern NC Barbecue | Lobster |
Most popular street food item | Barbecue Sandwiches | Italian Sandwiches |
Most popular vegan food | Sweet Potato | Blueberry Smoothie |
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 North Carolina to Maine, you will be trading the iconic Pulled Pork BBQ of North Carolina for the equally delicious Lobster Roll of Maine. And while the locals in North Carolina rave about their flavorful Eastern NC Barbecue and sumptuous Barbecue Sandwiches, Maine residents know they have tasty Lobster and Italian Sandwiches to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Sweet Potato they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Blueberry Smoothie of Maine. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic North Carolina eateries like The Pit Authentic Barbecue, Lexington Barbecue, and Allen & Son Bar-B-Que. 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 North Carolina. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Maine compared to what you are used to in North Carolina. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Maine.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between North Carolina and Maine
Comparison | North Carolina | Maine |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial, Craftsman | Colonial, Cape Cod |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Large backyards, garages | Water views, access to nature |
- The Colonial and Craftsman architecture that North Carolina is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Cape Cod architecture typical of Maine.
- Compared to North Carolina's real estate listings, which commonly reference large backyards and garages, Maine real estate listings often highlight features like water views and access to nature.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away; Maine is less walkable than North Carolina.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike; Maine is less bike-friendly than North Carolina.
- Maine has less of an urban feel than North Carolina.
- Maine housing costs are 19% more expensive than those in North Carolina, with a median home price of $392,358 compared to North Carolinaβs $329,225.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Maine have increased by 70% compared to a 63% increase in North Carolina.
- Rent in Maine is 4.87% more expensive than in North Carolina.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between North Carolina and Maine
Comparison | North Carolina | 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 | Hurricanes, Tornadoes | Blizzards, Nor'easters |
Air Quality | Good | Very Good |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 88Β°F / 66Β°F | 79Β°F / 59Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 50Β°F / 30Β°F | 31Β°F / 13Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 43" | 45" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 5" | 75" |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from North Carolina to Maine. Maine gets 6% fewer sunshine days than North Carolina.
- Maine has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to North Carolina.
- Say goodbye to the possible hurricanes and tornadoes in North Carolina, but be on the lookout for potential blizzards and nor'easters in Maine.
- Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in Maine is 9 degrees colder than in North Carolina.
- The average winter lows are 17 degrees colder than they are in North Carolina.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Maine. Maine receives 2 more inches of rain compared to North Carolina.
Financial & Community Snapshot: North Carolina and Maine
Comparison | North Carolina | Maine |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $67,481 | $69,543 |
Cost of Living Index | 95.85 | 116.5 |
State Income Tax | 5.25% | 5.8%-7.15% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.84% | 1.09% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6.75% | 5.5% |
Top 3 Industries | Finance, Technology, Agriculture | Tourism, Healthcare, Retail |
Affluence | Moderate | Modest |
Poverty | Notable | Present |
Homelessness | Concerning | Low |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Maine tend to earn about 3% more than those in North Carolina
- The COLI in Maine will be 22% higher than what you are used to living in North Carolina
- The state income tax in ME is 5.8% to 7.15% compared to 5.25% in NC
- The affluence in Maine is modest compared to moderate affluence in North Carolina
- The poverty level is present in Maine compared to notable poverty in North Carolina
- In terms of homelessness, it is concerning in North Carolina and low in Maine
Political and Religious Climate in North Carolina vs. Maine
Comparison | North Carolina | Maine |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Moderately Conservative | Liberal |
Local Politics | Mix of urban liberal & rural conservative | Progressive in urban areas, moderate in rural |
Religion | Protestant dominant, with a significant Baptist community | Less religious overall, with a higher percentage of non-affiliated individuals |
- North Carolina tends to lean moderately Conservative in its political climate
- Maine, on the other hand, is often described as Liberal
- Maine's religious environment can be described as less religious overall, with a higher percentage of non-affiliated individuals
- North Carolina's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Protestant dominant, with a significant Baptist community
Education Guide When Moving from North Carolina to Maine
Comparison | North Carolina | Maine |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill North Carolina State University Duke University | University of Maine Maine Maritime Academy Bates College |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Metrolina Regional Scholars Academy (Charlotte) Quest Academy (Raleigh) The Expedition School (Hillsborough) | Falmouth Elementary School (Falmouth) Yarmouth Elementary School (Yarmouth) Pond Cove Elementary School (Cape Elizabeth) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Metrolina Regional Scholars Academy (Charlotte) Jay M. Robinson Middle School (Charlotte) Community House Middle School (Charlotte) | Falmouth Middle School (Falmouth) Yarmouth Middle School (Yarmouth) Cape Elizabeth Middle School (Cape Elizabeth) |
Top 3 High Schools | The Early College at Guilford (Greensboro) Raleigh Charter High School (Raleigh) Phillips Academy (Durham) | Yarmouth High School (Yarmouth) Falmouth High School (Falmouth) Cape Elizabeth High School (Cape Elizabeth) |
Top 3 private high schools | Charlotte Country Day School (Charlotte) Durham Academy (Durham) Cary Academy (Cary) | Waynflete School (Portland) Berwick Academy (South Berwick) Hebron Academy (Hebron) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Charlotte Latin School (Charlotte) Carolina Day School (Asheville) Providence Day School (Charlotte) | Waynflete School (Portland) North Yarmouth Academy (Yarmouth) Berwick Academy (South Berwick) |
Top 3 School Districts | Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools Wake County Public School System Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools | Falmouth Schools Cape Elizabeth Schools Yarmouth Schools |
How Much Do North Carolina to Maine Movers Cost?
Moving 953 miles from North Carolina to Maine will typically cost between $2,000 and $5,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $2,000 - $5,500
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-10 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Raleigh Moving Company
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,481 | 300 ft3 | $4.94 |
1 Bedroom | $2,203 | 450 ft3 | $4.90 |
2 Bedrooms | $3,640 | 750 ft3 | $4.85 |
3 Bedrooms | $5,291 | 1100 ft3 | $4.81 |
4 Bedrooms | $7,629 | 1600 ft3 | $4.77 |
5+ Bedrooms | $8,506 | 1800 ft3 | $4.73 |
Top North Carolina to Maine Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best North Carolina to Maine movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Just Move It, LLC
Best moving company overall for North Carolina to Maine