North Dakota to Maine Moving Guide
Updated June 6, 2025

Planning a 1,995 mile interstate move from North Dakota to Maine? This moving guide will help you compare living in North Dakota vs Maine across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like harsh winters vs milder coastal climate), food & health (like Lefse vs Lobster Roll), real estate & housing (ranch style vs new england colonial), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Maine), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Lefse and Bison, but get your taste buds ready for Lobster Roll & Lobster
- Maine housing costs are 55% more expensive than they are in North Dakota
- Rent in Maine is 77.98% more expensive than in North Dakota
- Moving from North Dakota to Maine will cost on average between $2,500 - $8,500
- Our top recommended North Dakota to Maine movers is Two Men and a Truck
North Dakota to Maine Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from North Dakota to Maine
- Harsh winters
- Limited job opportunities
- Fewer cultural events
- Flat landscapes
- Milder coastal climate
- Diverse employment sectors
- Rich cultural history
- Scenic coastal views
- Higher cost of living
- Need to build connections
- Denser population
- Potentially higher crime rates
- Lower cost of living
- Familiar communities
- Wide open spaces
- Lower crime rates
Pros of moving from North Dakota to Maine
- Say goodbye to harsh winters and hello to a milder coastal climate
- Look forward to moving away from limited job opportunities and moving to Maine with diverse employment sectors
- Swap the fewer cultural events of North Dakota for a rich cultural history in Maine
- Get ready for scenic coastal views in Maine
Cons of moving from North Dakota to Maine
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from a lower cost of living in North Dakota to live with a higher cost of living in Maine
- You'll lose out on the pro of familiar communities and have to settle for the con of needing to build connections
- Time to bid farewell to wide open spaces and get used to a denser population in Maine
- Swap lower crime rates for potentially higher crime rates
North Dakota vs. Maine: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | North Dakota | Maine |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Lefse | Lobster Roll |
Most popular meat dish | Bison | Lobster |
Most popular street food item | Knoephla Soup | Italian Sandwich |
Most popular vegan food | Wild Rice Burger | Blueberry Smoothie |
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state |
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Fitness/Health Conscientiousness (out of 10) | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ |
Abundance of Food Trucks (out of 10) | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Foodie Scene (out of 10) | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ |
Vegan Friendly (out of 10) | 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 Dakota to Maine, you will be trading the iconic Lefse of North Dakota for the equally delicious Lobster Roll of Maine. And while the locals in North Dakota rave about their flavorful Bison and sumptuous Knoephla Soup, Maine residents know they have tasty Lobster and Italian Sandwich to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Wild Rice Burger 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 Dakota eateries like Kroll's Diner, Pirogue Grille, and The HoDo Restaurant. 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 a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than North Dakota. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Maine compared to what you are used to in North Dakota. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Maine.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between North Dakota and Maine
Comparison | North Dakota | Maine |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Ranch Style | New England Colonial |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Spacious Yards, Garages | Fireplaces, Ocean Views |
- The Ranch Style architecture that North Dakota is known for will be replaced with the New England Colonial architecture typical of Maine.
- Compared to North Dakota's real estate listings that commonly reference spacious yards and garages, Maine real estate listings often highlight features like fireplaces and ocean views.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Maine is more walkable than North Dakota.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Maine is more bike-friendly than North Dakota.
- Maine has more of an urban feel than North Dakota.
- Maine housing costs are 55% more expensive than they are in North Dakota, with a median home price of $392,358 compared to North Dakotaβs $253,395.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Maine have increased by 70% compared to an 18% increase in North Dakota.
- Rent in Maine is 77.98% more expensive than in North Dakota.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between North Dakota and Maine
Comparison | North Dakota | 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 | Blizzards, Floods | Blizzards, Ice Storms |
Air Quality | Good | Good |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 82Β°F / 57Β°F | 79Β°F / 59Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 18Β°F / 0Β°F | 31Β°F / 13Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 17-19 | 37-45 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 46 | 61 |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from North Dakota to Maine. Maine gets 1% fewer sunshine days than North Dakota.
- Maine has higher humidity and a similar average UV index compared to North Dakota.
- Say goodbye to the possible blizzards and floods in North Dakota, but be on the lookout for potential blizzards and ice storms in Maine.
- The average summer high temperature in Maine is 3 degrees colder than in North Dakota.
- The average winter lows are 13 degrees warmer than they are in North Dakota.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Maine. Maine receives 20 more inches of rain compared to North Dakota.
Financial & Community Snapshot: North Dakota and Maine
Comparison | North Dakota | Maine |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $71,970 | $69,543 |
Cost of Living Index | 95.3 | 116.5 |
State Income Tax | 2.9%-5.9% | 5.8%-7.15% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.01% | 1.30% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 5.0% | 5.5% |
Top 3 Industries | Energy, Agriculture, Manufacturing | Healthcare, Tourism, Manufacturing |
Affluence | Moderate | Moderate |
Poverty | Lower | Moderate |
Homelessness | Low | Moderate |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Maine tend to earn about 3% less than in North Dakota
- The COLI in Maine will be 22% higher than what you are used to living in North Dakota
- The state income tax in ME is 5.8%-7.15% compared to 2.9%-5.9% in ND
- The affluence in Maine is moderate compared to moderate in North Dakota
- The poverty level is moderate in Maine compared to lower in North Dakota
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in North Dakota and moderate in Maine
Political and Religious Climate in North Dakota vs. Maine
Comparison | North Dakota | Maine |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Conservative | Liberal |
Local Politics | Republican Dominance | Democratic-Leaning Independent |
Religion | Largely Christian, with a significant Lutheran presence | Primarily Christian, but more religiously diverse |
- North Dakota tends to lean conservative in its political climate
- Maine, on the other hand, is often described as liberal
- Maine's religious environment can be described as primarily Christian but more religiously diverse
- North Dakota's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as largely Christian with a significant Lutheran presence
Education Guide When Moving from North Dakota to Maine
Comparison | North Dakota | Maine |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | North Dakota State University University of North Dakota Minot State University | University of Maine Bates College Bowdoin College |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Freedom Elementary (West Fargo) Liberty Elementary (Bismarck) Discovery Elementary (Grand Forks) | Yarmouth Elementary School (Yarmouth) Cape Elizabeth Schools (Cape Elizabeth) Falmouth Elementary Schools (Falmouth) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Ben Franklin Middle School (Fargo) Horizon Middle School (Bismarck) Discovery Middle School (Fargo) | Yarmouth Middle School (Yarmouth) Cape Elizabeth Middle School (Cape Elizabeth) Falmouth Middle School (Falmouth) |
Top 3 High School Schools | Central High School (Grand Forks) Century High School (Bismarck) Fargo North High School (Fargo) | Yarmouth High School (Yarmouth) Cape Elizabeth High School (Cape Elizabeth) Falmouth High School (Falmouth) |
Top 3 private high schools | Shanley High School (Fargo) St. Mary's Central High School (Bismarck) Oak Grove Lutheran School (Fargo) | Waynflete School (Portland) John Bapst Memorial High School (Bangor) Cheverus High School (Portland) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Oak Grove Lutheran School (Fargo) Shiloh Christian School (Bismarck) Dakota Adventist Academy (Bismark) | Waynflete School (Portland) North Yarmouth Academy (Yarmouth) Hebron Academy (Hebron) |
Top 3 School Districts | Fargo Public Schools Bismarck Public Schools West Fargo Public Schools | Falmouth School Department Yarmouth Schools Cape Elizabeth School Department |
How Much Do North Dakota to Maine Movers Cost?
Moving 1,995 miles from North Dakota to Maine will typically cost between $3,500 and $8,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $3,500 - $8,500
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Local Muscle Movers
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $2,334 | 300 ft3 | $7.78 |
1 Bedroom | $3,478 | 450 ft3 | $7.73 |
2 Bedrooms | $5,759 | 750 ft3 | $7.68 |
3 Bedrooms | $8,391 | 1100 ft3 | $7.63 |
4 Bedrooms | $12,125 | 1600 ft3 | $7.58 |
5+ Bedrooms | $13,551 | 1800 ft3 | $7.53 |
Top North Dakota to Maine Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best North Dakota to Maine movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Two Men and a Truck
Best moving company overall for North Dakota to Maine

Quality Pack & Load
