New Jersey to Maine Moving Guide
Updated June 5, 2025

Planning a 522 mile interstate move from New Jersey to Maine? This moving guide will help you compare living in New Jersey vs Maine across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high cost of living vs affordable housing), food & health (like Pork Roll (Taylor Ham) vs Lobster Roll), real estate & housing (colonial, victorian vs cape cod, colonial), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in New Jersey), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Pork Roll (Taylor Ham) and Italian Hot Dog, but get your taste buds ready for Lobster Roll & Lobster
- Maine housing costs are 24% less expensive than they are in New Jersey
- Rent in Maine is 25.90% more affordable than in New Jersey
- Moving from New Jersey to Maine will cost on average between $1,500 - $4,500
- Our top recommended New Jersey to Maine movers is Big G Movers, INC
New Jersey to Maine Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from New Jersey to Maine
- High cost of living
- Heavy traffic
- Industrial areas
- Noisy urban life
- Limited natural parks
- Affordable housing
- Less congestion
- Scenic landscapes
- Peaceful surroundings
- Abundant nature trails
- Fewer cultural events
- Far from major cities
- Fewer restaurant choices
- Rural roads
- Limited entertainment
- Rich cultural vibe
- Proximity to NYC
- Varied dining options
- Well-developed infrastructure
- Access to diverse sights
Pros of moving from New Jersey to Maine
- Say goodbye to the high cost of living and hello to affordable housing
- Look forward to moving away from heavy traffic and moving to Maine with less congestion
- Swap the industrial areas of New Jersey for scenic landscapes in Maine
- Get ready for peaceful surroundings in Maine
Cons of moving from New Jersey to Maine
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the rich cultural vibe in New Jersey to live with fewer cultural events in Maine
- You'll lose out on the pro of proximity to NYC and have to settle for the con of being far from major cities
- Time to bid farewell to varied dining options and get used to fewer restaurant choices in Maine
- Swap well-developed infrastructure for rural roads
New Jersey vs. Maine: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | New Jersey | Maine |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Pork Roll (Taylor Ham) | Lobster Roll |
Most popular meat dish | Italian Hot Dog | Lobster |
Most popular street food item | Salt Water Taffy | Blueberry Crisp |
Most popular vegan food | Vegan Pizza | 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 New Jersey to Maine, you will be trading the iconic Pork Roll (Taylor Ham) of New Jersey for the equally delicious Lobster Roll of Maine. And while the locals in New Jersey rave about their flavorful Italian Hot Dog and sumptuous Salt Water Taffy, Maine residents know they have tasty Lobster and Blueberry Crisp to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Vegan Pizza 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 New Jersey eateries like Carlo's Bakery, Don's BBQ, and Dinosaur 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 Duckfat.
When comparing lifestyles, Maine shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than New Jersey. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Maine, compared to what you are used to in New Jersey. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Maine.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between New Jersey and Maine
Comparison | New Jersey | Maine |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial, Victorian | Cape Cod, Colonial |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Proximity to NYC, updated kitchens | Access to nature, historic details |
- The Colonial and Victorian architecture that New Jersey is known for will be replaced with the Cape Cod and Colonial architecture typical of Maine.
- Compared to New Jersey's real estate listings that commonly reference proximity to NYC and updated kitchens, Maine real estate listings often highlight features like access to nature and historic details.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away; Maine is less walkable than New Jersey.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike; Maine is less bike-friendly than New Jersey.
- Maine has less of an urban feel than New Jersey.
- Maine housing costs are 24% less expensive than they are in New Jersey, with a median home price of $392,358 compared to New Jerseyβs $512,908.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Maine have increased by 70% compared to a 50% increase in New Jersey.
- Rent in Maine is 25.90% more affordable than in New Jersey.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between New Jersey and Maine
Comparison | New Jersey | 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, Nor'easters | Nor'easters, Blizzards |
Air Quality | Moderate | Good |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 85Β°F / 66Β°F | 79Β°F / 59Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 40Β°F / 25Β°F | 31Β°F / 13Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 47 | 45 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 23 | 60 |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from New Jersey to Maine. Maine gets 4% fewer sunshine days than New Jersey.
- Maine has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to New Jersey.
- Say goodbye to the possible hurricanes and nor'easters in New Jersey, 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 6 degrees colder than New Jersey.
- The average winter lows are 12 degrees colder than they are in New Jersey.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Maine. Maine receives 2 fewer inches of rain compared to New Jersey.
Financial & Community Snapshot: New Jersey and Maine
Comparison | New Jersey | Maine |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $96,346 | $69,543 |
Cost of Living Index | 129.7 | 116.5 |
State Income Tax | 5.53% | 5.8% |
Avg. Property Tax | 2.21% | 1.30% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6.63% | 5.50% |
Top 3 Industries | Pharmaceuticals, Finance, Telecommunications | Healthcare, Tourism, Forest Products |
Affluence | Wealthy | Modest |
Poverty | Moderate | Low |
Homelessness | Low | Low |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Maine tend to earn about 28% less than in New Jersey
- The COLI in Maine will be 10% lower than what you are used to living in New Jersey
- The state income tax in ME is 5.8% compared to 5.53% in NJ
- The affluence in Maine is modest compared to wealthy in New Jersey
- The poverty level is low in Maine compared to moderate in New Jersey
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in New Jersey and low in Maine
Political and Religious Climate in New Jersey vs. Maine
Comparison | New Jersey | Maine |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Lean Democratic | Lean Democratic |
Local Politics | Diverse, urban to suburban mix | Rural with a focus on local governance |
Religion | Catholicism, Judaism | Protestantism, Non-religious |
- New Jersey tends to lean Democratic in its political climate
- Maine, on the other hand, is often described as lean Democratic
- Maine's religious environment can be described as Protestantism
- New Jersey's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Catholicism and Judaism
Education Guide When Moving from New Jersey to Maine
Comparison | New Jersey | Maine |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | Rutgers University Princeton University Montclair State University | University of Maine Bowdoin College Bates College |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Littlebrook Elementary School (Princeton) Millstone River School (Plainsboro) Cherry Hill School (River Edge) | Yarmouth Elementary School (Yarmouth) Falmouth Elementary School (Falmouth) Cape Elizabeth School Department (Cape Elizabeth) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Community Middle School (Plainsboro) Thomas R. Grover Middle School (Princeton Junction) Mendham Township Middle School (Mendham) | Yarmouth Middle School (Yarmouth) Falmouth Middle School (Falmouth) Freeport Middle School (Freeport) |
Top 3 High School Schools | High Technology High School (Lincroft) Bergen County Academies (Hackensack) Princeton High School (Princeton) | Greely High School (Cumberland) Cape Elizabeth High School (Cape Elizabeth) Falmouth High School (Falmouth) |
Top 3 private high schools | The Pingry School (Basking Ridge) Newark Academy (Livingston) Delbarton School (Morristown) | Waynflete School (Portland) Berwick Academy (South Berwick) Hebron Academy (Hebron) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | The Pingry School (Basking Ridge) Newark Academy (Livingston) Dwight-Englewood School (Englewood) | Waynflete School (Portland) North Yarmouth Academy (Yarmouth) John Bapst Memorial High School (Bangor) |
Top 3 School Districts | Princeton Public Schools Millburn Township Schools Summit Public Schools | Falmouth Schools Yarmouth Schools Cape Elizabeth Schools |
How Much Do New Jersey to Maine Movers Cost?
Moving 522 miles from New Jersey to Maine will typically cost between $2,000 and $4,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $2,000 - $4,500
- Expected Time To Complete: 3-10 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Express Haulers
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,274 | 300 ft3 | $4.25 |
1 Bedroom | $1,891 | 450 ft3 | $4.20 |
2 Bedrooms | $3,120 | 750 ft3 | $4.16 |
3 Bedrooms | $4,530 | 1100 ft3 | $4.12 |
4 Bedrooms | $6,521 | 1600 ft3 | $4.08 |
5+ Bedrooms | $7,259 | 1800 ft3 | $4.03 |
Top New Jersey to Maine Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best New Jersey to Maine movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.