Best Durham to Portland Movers

How Much Do Durham to Portland Movers Cost?

Moving 823 miles from Durham, NC to Portland, ME will typically cost between $2,000 and $5,000 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 Portland that already have a booked job heading from Portland to Durham. Their moving truck would be making the trip back to Portland from Durham entirely empty. If you can find a Portland moving company willing to move your stuff on the return leg, you'll score a real deal!

Moving Containers: A cheaper Durham to Portland moving option

Hire local Durham 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 Portland movers to unpack the container and move you into your new home. You'll have to piece this Durham to Portland 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 Durham to Portland 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 Durham, NC to Portland, ME long distance movers.

Rating Methodology

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

Our original review-based ranking algorithm

We started with a total of 30 companies that offer interstate moving services in both the Durham and Portland areas.

From these 30 companies, we analyzed a total of 8,095 reviews dating all the way back to November 2009.

We also reviewed a total of 13 state and federal moving licenses from these 30 companies and 149 different 3rd party review and social profiles.

Each of the ~8,000 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 3,822 Durham to Portland 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 Athens Moving Experts) 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 Durham to Portland moving company across 11 of the most important criteria for a succesful moving experience.

Quality

Overall quality of the service provided on moving day.

9.07/10 avg (Durham & Portland combined) from 5,563 reviews

Punctuality

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

8.81/10 avg (Durham & Portland combined) from 1,867 reviews

Affordability

How affordable was the moving service?

8.41/10 avg (Durham & Portland combined) from 1,004 reviews

Communication

Responsiveness before, during, and after the move.

8.42/10 avg (Durham & Portland combined) from 1,974 reviews

Stick to Prices

Was the final price consistent with the original quote?

7.45/10 avg (Durham & Portland combined) from 672 reviews

Speed

Efficiency without taking unnecessary time to increase costs.

9.11/10 avg (Durham & Portland combined) from 2,179 reviews

Friendliness

Was the moving crew cordial and friendly on moving day?

9.35/10 avg (Durham & Portland combined) from 3,333 reviews

Will Hire Again

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

8.90/10 avg (Durham & Portland combined) from 5,636 reviews

Professionalism

Did the moving crew behave professionally on moving day?

8.95/10 avg (Durham & Portland combined) from 3,588 reviews

Conflict Handling

How well the company responds to accidents and issues.

5.13/10 avg (Durham & Portland combined) from 460 reviews

Precision & Care

Were walls scratched? Did furniture get damaged or lost?

8.76/10 avg (Durham & Portland combined) from 2,957 reviews

From Durham to Portland: Comparable Neighborhoods at a Glance

• Downtown Durham in Durham & Old Port in Portland are both known for their: historic waterfront, restaurants & nightlife
• Durham's Trinity Park neighborhood & Portland's West End both share: Victorian homes & tree-lined streets
• If you're moving from Watts Hillandale, check out Deering Center in the Portland area for the: suburban neighborhood & mid-century homes
• Do you enjoy Lakewood's waterfront recreation & upscale residential? You're sure to love Back Cove
• Move from Old West Durham to Rosemont and continue to enjoy these neighborhood qualities: mix of housing styles & proximity to universities
• Northgate Park & Oakdale are both known for their: quiet residential & family-friendly
• Durham's Hope Valley neighborhood & Portland's North Deering neighborhood both have: suburban lots & close to green spaces
• If you're moving from Morehead Hill, look into West End for the: historic architecture & elevated terrain
• Do you cherish living in Forest Hills' wooded residential & scenic views? Move into Munjoy Hill for something similar
• The similar vibes of Ninth Street & East End/Arts District are both known for: local shops & artistic vibe

Pros and Cons of Moving from Durham to Portland

ConsDurham, NC

• Hot summers
• Heavy traffic
• High pollen count
• Hurricane threat

ProsPortland, ME

• Cooler climate
• Less congestion
• Fresher air
• Fewer natural disasters

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Portland, ME

• Higher expenses
• Smaller cultural venues
• Harsh winters
• Less diverse

Durham, NC

• Lower cost of living
• Rich cultural scene
• Mild winters
• Diverse community

Pros of moving from Durham to Portland

• Say goodbye to hot summers and hello to cooler climate
• Look forward to moving away from heavy traffic and moving to Portland with less congestion
• Swap the high pollen count of Durham for fresher air in Portland
• Get ready for fewer natural disasters in Portland

Cons of moving from Durham to Portland

• Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the lower cost of living in Durham to live with higher expenses in Portland
• You'll lose out on the pro of a rich cultural scene and have to settle for the con of smaller cultural venues
• Time to bid farewell to mild winters and get used to the harsh winters in Portland
• Swap a diverse community for a less diverse one

Durham vs. Portland: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

If you're moving from Durham to Portland, you will be trading the iconic Barbecue of Durham for the equally delicious Seafood Chowder of Portland. And while the locals in Durham rave about their flavorful Pulled Pork and sumptuous Tacos, Portland residents know they have tasty Lobster Roll and Whoopie Pie to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Vegan BBQ they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Quinoa Salad of Portland. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Durham eateries like Mateo, Pbq, and Beasley's Chicken + Honey. After the boxes are unpacked in Portland, don't wait too long before making your way to Portland's acclaimed eateries like The Honey Paw, Fore Street, and Duckfat.

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

Discover Portland Restaurants You'll Love

Moving to Portland is an opportunity to try lots of new restaurants. Sure, you'll miss your old Durham favorites, but we've got you covered. If you loved Dame's Chicken & Waffles, Mateo Bar de Tapas, and Vin Rouge in Durham, we're sure you'll love The Honey Paw, Central Provisions, and Petite Jacqueline in Portland. See our Portland restaurant discovery table below to find the closest comparison restaurant to all of your cherished Durham hotspots. For example, if you enjoyed dining at Saltbox Seafood Joint, head to Eventide Oyster Co. on your first Friday night after the boxes are unpacked.

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Durham and Portland

• The Colonial Revival architecture that Durham is known for will be replaced with the New England Colonial architecture typical of Portland.
• Compared to Durham's real estate listings that commonly reference spacious yards and home offices, Portland real estate listings often highlight features like water views and fireplaces.
• Make sure you unpack those walking shoes because Portland is more walkable than Durham.
• Make sure the movers take care of your bike because Portland is more bike-friendly than Durham.
• Portland has more of an urban feel than Durham.
• Portland housing costs are 35% more expensive than in Durham, with a median home price of $548,318 compared to Durham's $404,856.
• Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Portland have increased by 64%, compared to a 64% increase in Durham.
• Rent in Portland is 31.23% more expensive than in Durham.

Pet-friendly Neighborhoods in Portland, ME

1. East End: You and your pet will love the scenic Eastern Promenade with its expansive green space and off-leash hours, perfect for dog walking and socializing.
2. West End: This charming neighborhood offers pet-friendly parks and trails, as well as a welcoming atmosphere for pet owners with its dog-friendly cafes and shops.
3. Munjoy Hill: Known for its walkability and proximity to pet-friendly parks, you’ll find plenty of places to explore with your furry companion near the waterfront.

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

• The shades won't be used as much for your move from Durham to Portland. Portland gets 14% fewer sunshine days than Durham.
• Portland has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Durham.
• Say goodbye to the possible hurricanes in Durham and be on the lookout for potential nor'easters in Portland.
• Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in Portland is 10 degrees colder than in Durham.
• The average winter lows are 16 degrees colder than they are in Durham.
• Your umbrella might be more overworked in Portland as it receives 4 more inches of rain compared to Durham.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Durham and Portland

• When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Portland tend to earn about 2% less than those in Durham
• The COLI in Portland is 21% higher than what you are used to living in Durham
• The state income tax in ME is 7.15 compared to 5.25 in NC
• The affluence in Portland is moderate compared to moderate affluence in Durham
• The poverty level is moderate in Portland compared to low in Durham
• In terms of homelessness, it is low in Durham and low in Portland

Political and Religious Climate in Durham vs. Portland

• Durham tends to lean more liberal with a diverse community in its political climate
• Portland, on the other hand, is often described as predominantly liberal with progressive leanings
• Portland's religious environment can be described as less religiously diverse, mostly non-religious or Christian
• Durham's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as varied, including a mix of Christianity, Judaism, Islam, and others

Durham vs. Portland Traffic and Public Transit Considerations

• Woohoo! Expect to spend about 9% less time stuck in traffic commuting to work in Portland compared to your daily drive in Durham. That's an annual savings of 1040 minutes freely earned!
• You can expect traffic in Portland to be better than it is in Durham.
• Public transit is more readily available in Portland.