($953) Movers From Bridgeport, CT to Portland, ME

What to know before moving from Bridgeport to Portland

Moving from Bridgeport to Portland comes with exciting new opportunities — but also higher living costs. Since Portland is generally more expensive than Bridgeport, 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 5% lower than in Bridgeport, 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 Bridgeport.
  Home prices in Portland are 61.9% higher than in Bridgeport.
• Income in Portland is 26.8% higher than in Bridgeport, 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 13.7% higher than in Bridgeport. 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 18.2% higher than in Bridgeport.
• The unemployment rate in Portland is 60.61% lower than in Bridgeport.
• You’ll spend less on retail and restaurants in Portland, since the city’s sales taxes in Portland are 13.39% lower than in Bridgeport.
• State income taxes in Portland are 93.33% higher than in Bridgeport.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $3,410.77 in Portland to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Bridgeport.

How life is different in Bridgeport vs. Portland

• Portland might offer you a slower pace of life, since the population is about 54% less than Bridgeport.
• Getting around Portland without a car might be more difficult than in Bridgeport. Portland has a public transportation score of 6 out of 10, whereas Bridgeport is ranked 7. Ratings are based on a city’s transit connectivity, service frequency, and accessibility to key destinations like jobs and grocery stores.
• Portland neighborhoods and districts might not be as easy to navigate on foot as Bridgeport. Based on its score of 62 out of 100, Portland isn’t as walkable as Bridgeport, which has a score of 66 out of 100. The higher the walkability score a city has, the easier it is to access amenities. The most walkable cities also tend to be more densely populated and have shorter block lengths.
• If cycling is your thing, Portland is considered more bike-friendly than Bridgeport 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 Bridgeport is rated as 49 out of 100.
• Portland has a lower crime rate than Bridgeport based on scores of 32.16 and Bridgeport's 60.6, 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 Bridgeport, based on Portland’s safety index of 67.84 versus 39.4 for Bridgeport. With this index, higher scores indicate more safety, particularly around how comfortable residents feel walking alone during the day and at night.
• The air quality in Portland and Bridgeport 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 Bridgeport 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