($1,714) Movers From Fresno, CA to Portland, ME

What to know before moving from Fresno to Portland

Moving from Fresno to Portland comes with exciting new opportunities — but also higher living costs. Since Portland is generally more expensive than Fresno, it’s important to plan ahead and budget carefully for the change.

Check out how the two cities compare so you know what to expect before you relocate:

• Rent prices in Portland are 21% higher than in Fresno, which means you’ll have less money in your pocket each month.
• In terms of homeownership, you’ll be able to get more for your money in Fresno.
  Home prices in Portland are 42.2% higher than in Fresno.
• Income in Portland is 1.9% higher than in Fresno, so you could earn more for doing the same job. The top employers in Portland include TD Banknorth Inc, Maine Medical Center, and Unum Life Insurance Company of America.
• Be sure to budget for higher bills in Portland, since the cost of living for a single person in Portland is 9.4% higher than in Fresno. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
• If you’re moving your family to Portland, keep in mind that your living expenses could increase. The cost of living for a family in Portland is 13.1% higher than in Fresno.
• The unemployment rate in Portland is 26.66% lower than in Fresno.
• You’ll spend less on retail and restaurants in Portland, since the city’s sales taxes in Portland are 31.08% lower than in Fresno.
• One perk of moving to Portland is paying less in state income taxes, which are 56.39% lower than in Fresno.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $3,281.95 in Portland to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Fresno.

How life is different in Fresno vs. Portland

• Portland might offer you a slower pace of life, since the population is about 87% less than Fresno.
• Portland offers better access to buses and trains than Fresno, based on public transportation ratings. Portland has a transit score of 6 out of 10 compared to 5 in Fresno. The higher the score, the more public transportation pickup and dropoff locations a city provides.
• Living in Portland means you’ll likely be within closer walking distance to restaurants, shops, parks, and entertainment than you are in Fresno. Portland is considered more walkable than Fresno, with a score of 62 out of 100 versus 47 out of 100 in Fresno. 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 Fresno 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 Fresno is rated as 58 out of 100.
• Portland has a lower crime rate than Fresno based on scores of 32.16 and Fresno's 56.85, respectively. The crime index shows how safe a city is perceived to be. So, a lower score generally means less crime.
• You might find more confidence in your overall safety in Portland than in Fresno, based on Portland’s safety index of 67.84 versus 43.15 for Fresno. With this index, higher scores indicate more safety, particularly around how comfortable residents feel walking alone during the day and at night.
• You can breathe easy knowing that Portland has better air quality than in Fresno. Portland has Good air quality, compared to moderate in Fresno. Ratings of good to moderate mean very low risk of health concerns, although people with conditions like asthma or allergies could be affected. Beyond the moderate rating, health concerns increase for some or all residents.

Other things to consider for your Fresno 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