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New York to Maine Moving Guide

Updated June 5, 2025

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Planning a 465 mile interstate move from New York to Maine? This moving guide will help you compare living in New York vs Maine across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high cost of living vs affordable housing), food & health (like Pizza vs Lobster Roll), real estate & housing (modern, high-rise vs colonial, cape cod), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in New York), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Pizza and Beef Steak, but get your taste buds ready for Lobster Roll & Lobster
  • Maine housing costs are 15% less expensive than they are in New York
  • Rent in Maine is 27.30% more affordable than New York
  • Moving from New York to Maine will cost on average between $1,000 - $4,500
  • Our top recommended New York to Maine movers is JP Urban Moving

New York to Maine Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from New York to Maine

ConsNew York iconNew York
  • High cost of living
  • Heavy traffic
  • Limited green space
  • Noise pollution
ProsMaine iconMaine
  • Affordable housing
  • Less congestion
  • Abundant nature
  • Peaceful surroundings

Maine iconMaine
  • Less cultural variety
  • Limited late-night options
  • Fewer job prospects
  • Quieter social scene
New York iconNew York
  • Diverse culture
  • 24/7 amenities
  • Career opportunities
  • Vibrant nightlife

Pros of moving from New York 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 limited green space of New York for abundant nature in Maine
  • Get ready for peaceful surroundings in Maine

Cons of moving from New York to Maine

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the diverse culture in New York to live with less cultural variety in Maine
  • You'll lose out on the pro of 24/7 amenities and have to settle for the con of limited late-night options
  • Time to bid farewell to career opportunities and get used to fewer job prospects in Maine
  • Swap vibrant nightlife for a quieter social scene

New York vs. Maine: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonNew YorkMaine
Most iconic local food itemPizzaLobster Roll
Most popular meat dishBeef SteakLobster
Most popular street food itemHot DogItalian Sandwich
Most popular vegan foodBagels with Vegan Cream CheeseBlueberry Vegan Pancakes
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Katz's Delicatessen
  • Dominique Ansel Bakery
  • Peter Luger Steak House
  • Eventide Oyster Co.
  • DiMillo's On the Water
  • Fore Street
Fitness/Health ConscientiousnessπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺ
Abundance of Food Trucks🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚
Foodie Scene🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴
Vegan Friendly🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱

If you're moving from New York to Maine, you will be trading the iconic Pizza of New York for the equally delicious Lobster Roll of Maine. And while the locals in New York rave about their flavorful Beef Steak and sumptuous Hot Dog, Maine residents know they have tasty Lobster and Italian Sandwich to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Bagels with Vegan Cream Cheese they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Blueberry Vegan Pancakes of Maine. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic New York eateries like Katz's Delicatessen, Dominique Ansel Bakery, and Peter Luger Steak House. 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., DiMillo's On the Water, and Fore Street.

When comparing lifestyles, Maine shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than New York. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Maine compared to what you are used to in New York. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in Maine.

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between New York and Maine

ComparisonNew YorkMaine
Typical Architecture StyleModern, High-riseColonial, Cape Cod
WalkabilityπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘Ÿ
Bikeability🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲
Urban LifestyleπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈ
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listingProximity to Subway, Luxury AmenitiesAccess to Nature, Quiet Surroundings
  • The Modern and High-rise architecture that New York is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Cape Cod architecture typical of Maine.
  • Compared to New York's real estate listings that commonly reference proximity to subway and luxury amenities, Maine real estate listings often highlight features like access to nature and quiet surroundings.
  • You can keep your walking shoes packed away. Maine is less walkable than New York.
  • You might want to think twice before moving your bike. Maine is less bike-friendly than New York.
  • Maine has less of an urban feel than New York.
  • Maine housing costs are 15% less expensive than they are in New York, with a median home price of $392,358 compared to New York’s $460,812.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Maine have increased 70% compared to a 36% increase in New York.
  • Rent in Maine is 27.30% more affordable than New York.

Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between New York and Maine

ComparisonNew YorkMaine
Days of Sunshine per Yearβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈ
Avg. Annual HumidityπŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦
Avg. UV IndexπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈ
Natural DisastersHurricanes, BlizzardsBlizzards, Nor'easters
Air QualityModerateGood
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)82Β°F/62Β°F79Β°F/58Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)39Β°F/26Β°F31Β°F/13Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)49.945.7
Annual Snowfall (Inches)25.375.8
  • The shades won't be used as much for your move from New York to Maine. Maine gets 11% fewer sunshine days than New York.
  • Maine has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to New York.
  • Say goodbye to the possible hurricanes and blizzards in New York, but be on the lookout for potential blizzards and nor'easters in Maine.
  • The average summer high temperature in Maine is 3 degrees colder than in New York.
  • The average winter lows are 13 degrees colder than they are in New York.
  • Your umbrella might be neglected in Maine. Maine receives 4.2 fewer inches of rain compared to New York.

Financial & Community Snapshot: New York and Maine

ComparisonNew YorkMaine
Avg. Household Income$79,557$69,543
Cost of Living Index102.8116.5
State Income Tax4-8.82%5.8-7.15%
Avg. Property Tax1.72%1.27%
Avg. Sales Tax4-8%5.5%
Top 3 IndustriesFinance, Healthcare, Real EstateHealthcare, Retail, Manufacturing
AffluenceHighModerate
PovertyModerateLow
HomelessnessHighLow
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Maine tend to earn about 13% less than in New York
  • The COLI in Maine is 13% higher than what you are used to living in New York
  • The state income tax in ME is 5.8-7.15% compared to 4-8.82% in NY
  • The affluence in Maine is moderate compared to high in New York
  • The poverty level is low in Maine compared to moderate in New York
  • In terms of homelessness, it is high in New York and low in Maine

Political and Religious Climate in New York vs. Maine

ComparisonNew YorkMaine
Political Make-upLiberal/Democratic-majorityCentrist with a lean towards Democratic
Local PoliticsHighly active in national issuesCommunity-focused with less emphasis on national politics
ReligionDiverse; larger Jewish and Catholic communitiesPrimarily Christian, mixed denominations
  • New York tends to lean Liberal/Democratic-majority in its political climate
  • Maine, on the other hand, is often described as centrist with a lean towards Democratic
  • Maine's religious environment can be described as primarily Christian, mixed denominations
  • New York's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as diverse with larger Jewish and Catholic communities

Education Guide When Moving from New York to Maine

ComparisonNew YorkMaine
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)Columbia University
New York University
Cornell University
University of Maine
Bowdoin College
Bates College
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsPS 77 Lower Lab School
New York City
Success Academy Charter School-Cobble Hill
Brooklyn
Anderson School
New York City
Falmouth Elementary School
Falmouth
Yarmouth Elementary School
Yarmouth
Cape Elizabeth School
Cape Elizabeth
Top 3 Middle SchoolsEast Side Middle School
New York City
Special Music School
New York City
Anderson School
New York City
Falmouth Middle School
Falmouth
Yarmouth Jr. High School
Yarmouth
Cape Elizabeth Middle School
Cape Elizabeth
Top 3 High SchoolsStuyvesant High School
New York City
Bronx High School of Science
Bronx
Brooklyn Technical High School
Brooklyn
Yarmouth High School
Yarmouth
Falmouth High School
Falmouth
Cape Elizabeth High School
Cape Elizabeth
Top 3 private high schoolsThe Chapin School
New York City
Brearley School
New York City
Horace Mann School
Bronx
Waynflete School
Portland
John Bapst Memorial High School
Bangor
Lincoln Academy
Newcastle
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsCollegiate School
New York City
Riverdale Country School
Bronx
Trinity School
New York City
Waynflete School
Portland
North Yarmouth Academy
Yarmouth
Hebron Academy
Hebron
Top 3 School DistrictsGreat Neck Public Schools
Great Neck
Scarsdale Union Free School District
Scarsdale
Syosset Central School District
Syosset
Falmouth Schools
Falmouth
Yarmouth Schools
Yarmouth
Cape Elizabeth Schools
Cape Elizabeth

How Much Do New York to Maine Movers Cost?

Moving 465 miles from New York 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 - $4,500
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-7 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Magical Moving & Storage
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,246300 ft3$4.15
1 Bedroom$1,850450 ft3$4.11
2 Bedrooms$3,052750 ft3$4.07
3 Bedrooms$4,4291100 ft3$4.03
4 Bedrooms$6,3741600 ft3$3.98
5+ Bedrooms$7,0951800 ft3$3.94

Top New York to Maine Movers

Read our in-depth analysis of the best New York to Maine movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

TOP PICK
JP Urban Moving featured image

JP Urban Moving

Best moving company overall for New York to Maine

9.85/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
Metropolis Moving featured image

Metropolis Moving

9.72/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
Flex Moving and Storage featured image

Flex Moving and Storage

9.70/10
ExceptionalView details
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