Wisconsin to Maine Moving Guide
Updated June 20, 2025

Planning a 1,173 mile interstate move from Wisconsin to Maine? This moving guide will help you compare living in Wisconsin vs Maine across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like harsh winters vs milder winters), food & health (like Cheese Curds vs Lobster Roll), real estate & housing (midwestern, cape cod vs new england, cottage), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Maine), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Cheese Curds and Bratwurst, but get your taste buds ready for Lobster Roll & Lobster
- Maine housing costs are 33% more expensive than they are in Wisconsin
- Rent in Maine is 45.29% more expensive than in Wisconsin
- Moving from Wisconsin to Maine will cost on average between $2,000 - $6,500
- Our top recommended Wisconsin to Maine movers is Elite Movers
Wisconsin to Maine Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Wisconsin to Maine
- Harsh winters
- Flat terrain
- Limited ocean access
- High property taxes
- Milder winters
- Scenic coastline
- Abundant ocean views
- Lower property taxes
- Fewer urban amenities
- Less cheese variety
- Fewer social events
- Vibrant cities
- Famous cheese culture
- Friendly communities
Pros of moving from Wisconsin to Maine
- Say goodbye to harsh winters and hello to milder winters
- Look forward to moving away from flat terrain and moving to Maine with scenic coastline
- Swap the limited ocean access of Wisconsin for abundant ocean views in Maine
- Get ready for lower property taxes in Maine
Cons of moving from Wisconsin to Maine
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from vibrant cities in Wisconsin to live with fewer urban amenities in Maine
- You'll lose out on the pro of famous cheese culture and have to settle for the con of less cheese variety
- Time to bid farewell to friendly communities and get used to fewer social events in Maine
Wisconsin vs. Maine: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Wisconsin | Maine |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Cheese Curds | Lobster Roll |
Most popular meat dish | Bratwurst | Lobster |
Most popular street food item | Fried Cheese Curds | 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 | 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 Wisconsin to Maine, you will be trading the iconic Cheese Curds of Wisconsin for the equally delicious Lobster Roll of Maine. And while the locals in Wisconsin rave about their flavorful Bratwurst and sumptuous Fried Cheese Curds, 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 Wisconsin eateries like The Old Fashioned, Mader's, and Culver's. 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., Duckfat, and The Lost Kitchen.
When comparing lifestyles, Maine shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Wisconsin. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Maine compared to what you are used to in Wisconsin. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Maine.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Wisconsin and Maine
Comparison | Wisconsin | Maine |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Midwestern, Cape Cod | New England, Cottage |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Large backyards, Garages | Coastal views, Proximity to nature |
- The Midwestern and Cape Cod architecture that Wisconsin is known for will be replaced with the New England and Cottage architecture typical of Maine.
- Compared to Wisconsin's real estate listings that commonly reference large backyards and garages, Maine real estate listings often highlight features like coastal views and proximity to nature.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Maine is more walkable than Wisconsin.
- Maine is similarly bike-friendly to Wisconsin.
- Maine has more of an urban feel than Wisconsin.
- Maine housing costs are 33% more expensive than they are in Wisconsin, with a median home price of $392,358 compared to Wisconsinβs $294,909.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Maine have increased 70% compared to a 47% increase in Wisconsin.
- Rent in Maine is 45.29% more expensive than in Wisconsin.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Wisconsin and Maine
Comparison | Wisconsin | 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 | Snowstorms, Tornadoes | Snowstorms, Nor'easters |
Air Quality | Good | Very Good |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 82Β°F / 62Β°F | 79Β°F / 59Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 29Β°F / 13Β°F | 31Β°F / 13Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 34" | 45" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 48" | 61" |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Wisconsin to Maine. Maine gets 7% more sunshine days than Wisconsin.
- Maine has higher humidity and a similar average UV index compared to Wisconsin.
- Say goodbye to the possible snowstorms and tornadoes in Wisconsin, but be on the lookout for potential snowstorms and nor'easters in Maine.
- The average summer high temperature in Maine is 3 degrees colder than in Wisconsin.
- The average winter lows are 0 degrees colder than they are in Wisconsin.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Maine. Maine receives 11 more inches of rain compared to Wisconsin.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Wisconsin and Maine
Comparison | Wisconsin | Maine |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $70,996 | $69,543 |
Cost of Living Index | 95.65 | 116.5 |
State Income Tax | 3.54%-7.65% | 5.8%-7.15% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.68% | 1.09% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 5.43% | 5.50% |
Top 3 Industries | Manufacturing, Agriculture, Healthcare | Healthcare, Tourism, Agriculture |
Affluence | Moderate | Moderate |
Poverty | Moderate | Moderate |
Homelessness | Manageable | Manageable |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Maine tend to earn about 2% less than in Wisconsin
- The COLI in Maine is 22% higher than what you are used to living in Wisconsin
- The state income tax in ME is 5.8% to 7.15% compared to 3.54% to 7.65% in WI
- The affluence in Maine is moderate compared to moderate in Wisconsin
- The poverty level is moderate in Maine compared to moderate in Wisconsin
- In terms of homelessness, it is manageable in Wisconsin and manageable in Maine
Political and Religious Climate in Wisconsin vs. Maine
Comparison | Wisconsin | Maine |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Swing State | Largely Democratic |
Local Politics | Mixed Urban/Rural Influence | More Uniform Across the State |
Religion | Christianity Predominant | Christianity Predominant, Less Religious Diverse |
- Wisconsin tends to lean swing state in its political climate
- Maine, on the other hand, is often described as largely Democratic
- Maine's religious environment can be described as predominantly Christian and less religiously diverse
- Wisconsin's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as predominantly Christian
Education Guide When Moving from Wisconsin to Maine
Comparison | Wisconsin | Maine |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Wisconsin-Madison Madison University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Milwaukee Marquette University Milwaukee | University of Maine Orono Bowdoin College Brunswick Colby College Waterville |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Shorewood Hills Elementary Madison Swan School Milwaukee Elm Creative Arts School Milwaukee | Yarmouth Elementary School Yarmouth Cape Elizabeth School Cape Elizabeth Falmouth Elementary School Falmouth |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Whitefish Bay Middle Whitefish Bay Longfellow Middle School Wauwatosa Bayside Middle School Bayside | Yarmouth Middle School Yarmouth Cape Elizabeth Middle School Cape Elizabeth Falmouth Middle School Falmouth |
Top 3 High Schools | Eau Claire Memorial High Eau Claire Brookfield East High School Brookfield Cedarburg High School Cedarburg | Yarmouth High School Yarmouth Cape Elizabeth High School Cape Elizabeth Falmouth High School Falmouth |
Top 3 private high schools | University School of Milwaukee Milwaukee Marquette University High School Milwaukee Brookfield Academy Brookfield | Waynflete School Portland John Bapst Memorial High School Bangor Hebron Academy Hebron |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | University School of Milwaukee Milwaukee Prairie School Racine Brookfield Academy Brookfield | Waynflete School Portland Hebron Academy Hebron North Yarmouth Academy Yarmouth |
Top 3 School Districts | Elmbrook School District Brookfield Middleton-Cross Plains Area School District Middleton Whitefish Bay School District Whitefish Bay | Falmouth School District Falmouth Cape Elizabeth School District Cape Elizabeth Yarmouth School District Yarmouth |
How Much Do Wisconsin to Maine Movers Cost?
Moving 1,173 miles from Wisconsin to Maine will typically cost between $3,000 and $6,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $3,000 - $6,500
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-2 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Above Average Moving LLC
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,867 | 300 ft3 | $6.22 |
1 Bedroom | $2,779 | 450 ft3 | $6.17 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,594 | 750 ft3 | $6.12 |
3 Bedrooms | $6,682 | 1100 ft3 | $6.07 |
4 Bedrooms | $9,640 | 1600 ft3 | $6.02 |
5+ Bedrooms | $10,755 | 1800 ft3 | $5.97 |
Top Wisconsin to Maine Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Wisconsin to Maine movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.