($1,732) Movers From Fontana, CA to Portland, ME

What to know before moving from Fontana to Portland

Moving from Fontana to Portland means adjusting to a different pace of life — and a different price tag. On average, it costs significantly more to live in Fontana than in Portland, making the move an opportunity for many to enjoy a lower cost of living.

Check out how Fontana compares to Portland so you know what to expect before you relocate:

• Rent prices in Portland are 34% lower than in Fontana, which means you’ll have more money in your pocket each month.
• In terms of homeownership, you’ll be able to get more for your money in Portland.
  Home prices in Portland are 14.2% lower than in Fontana.
• Income in Portland is 12.0% lower than in Fontana, so you could earn less for doing the same job. The top employers in Portland include TD Banknorth Inc, Maine Medical Center, and Unum Life Insurance Company of America.
• The cost of living for a single person in Portland is 16.2% lower than in Fontana. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
• The cost of living for a family in Portland is 11.9% lower than in Fontana.
• The unemployment rate in Portland is 31.58% lower than in Fontana.
• You’ll spend less on retail and restaurants in Portland, since the city’s sales taxes in Portland are 29.03% lower than in Fontana.
• One perk of moving to Portland is paying less in state income taxes, which are 56.39% lower than in Fontana.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $2,514.47 in Portland to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Fontana.

How life is different in Fontana vs. Portland

• Portland might offer you a slower pace of life, since the population is about 68% less than Fontana.
• Your access to buses, shuttles, trams, or trains in Portland will be about the same as it currently is in Fontana. The cities share a similar public transportation score, which means their transit systems are comparable in terms of how connected they are, how often they provide service, and how close they are to jobs, housing, retail and food stores, and other important locations.
• Living in Portland means you’ll likely be within closer walking distance to restaurants, shops, parks, and entertainment than you are in Fontana. Portland is considered more walkable than Fontana, with a score of 62 out of 100 versus 37 out of 100 in Fontana. A city’s walkability score indicates how pedestrian-friendly it is in terms of proximity of neighborhoods to amenities.
• If cycling is your thing, Portland is considered more bike-friendly than Fontana in terms of designated lanes and connectivity and how many residents opt to commute on two wheels rather than by car. Portland has a bike-friendliness score of 68 out of 100, while Fontana is rated as 41 out of 100.
• You can anticipate the same crime rate in Portland as Fontana. With the crime index, lower scores are better because they indicate less crime. Cities with scores of 20 or below, for example, have much fewer instances of crime than those with scores of 80–100.
• Portland is generally as safe as Fontana, according to their similar safety index ratings. The ratings are based on how comfortable residents feel about walking alone during the daytime and nighttime and the number of small crimes like theft and muggings.
• The air quality in Portland and Fontana is generally the same (Good). Cities with good to moderate ratings have clean or acceptable air quality, with the possibility of small pollutants affecting people with certain health conditions like asthma. Anything beyond the moderate rate means increased impact on residents.

Other things to consider for your Fontana vs. Portland move

• Weather: August, July and June are the most pleasant months in Portland, while January and February are the least comfortable months.
• HOA rules: Check ahead with any neighborhood or community rules on moving to ensure a smooth move.
• Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator you'll want to check on how to reserve it for move day.
• Truck parking permits: Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles and moving trucks. Find out if you need any parking permits ahead of time.
• State licensing: Although a local license is not required in Maine, make sure the moving company you’ll be hiring is registered with U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT). To verify if you’re dealing with a legal and licensed mover, you may ask them their USDOT registration number. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
• State regulator: You can verify a Maine moving license and its status through the state's public utilities commission.
• Moving permits: Maine does not require any moving permits, but it is helpful to check local parking restrictions before moving into the state.
• Change of address: We recommend submitting your change of address form with USPS at least a week prior to your move. You can set an official move date on the form and this way all of your mail will get properly forwarded to Portland. Get started here.
• Moving company insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of insurance.Consider cost-free Released Value Protection from movers in Maine, offering basic coverage at 60 cents per pound. If you seek full-value protection, discuss alternative options with your chosen moving company or consider a third-party insurance provider.
• Moving checklist: Our moving checklist will help you have the peace of mind that you've got everything covered.

Where to live in Portland

Now that you've decided to make the move to "Forest City", these are the best neighborhoods to move to in Portland.

Helpful moving resources