Factors affecting the cost of moving from IA to MEtoggle

There are many factors that influence Iowa moving costs. The cost to move from Iowa to Maine will depend on these factors:

  • Move size: Moving a large home costs more than moving a studio apartment.
  • Time of year: The peak moving season in Iowa is in the summer, so moving companies will likely charge more.
  • DIY vs. professional mover: DIY moving services are cheaper but you do all the heavy lifting compared to letting the pros handle your move.

What to know before moving from IA to ME

If you’re moving to Maine from Iowa, you’ll want to compare what life will be like.

Cost of living: Iowa vs. Maine

Iowa Maine
Average rent cost $914 $1,009
Average home cost $220,277 $401,297
Average income (per capita) $70,571 $68,251
Cost of Living Index 89 100
Unemployment rate 3.0% 2.9%
Average Sales Tax 6.94% 5.5%
State Income Tax 4.4% 5.8%
source: World Population Review, Zillow, US Census Bureau, US BLS, Tax Foundation
  • Rent is about 10% more expensive in Maine than in Iowa.
  • Home prices are about 82% higher in Maine than in Iowa.
  • The average income is about 3% lower in Maine than in Iowa.
  • Cost of living is 12% lower in Maine than in Iowa.
  • Maine has a lower unemployment rate than Iowa by about 3%.
  • Sales taxes are 21% lower in Maine than in Iowa.
  • Income taxes are 32% higher in Maine than in Iowa.

How life is different in Maine vs. Iowa

Maine Iowa
Population 1,395,722 3,207,004
Political leaning Democratic 52.6-45.3 Republican 53-45
Summer high 78ºF 84ºF
Winter low 7ºF 10ºF
Annual rain 46" 35"
Annual snow 75" 30"
Crime index 13.17 16.18
source: US Census Bureau, 270TOWIN, NeighborhoodScout, BestPlaces
  • The population of Maine is approximately 56% lower than the population of Iowa.
  • In the last presidential election, Maine voted Democratic and Iowa voted Republican.
  • The average high in the summertime in Maine is 78ºF and in Iowa, it’s 84ºF.
  • During the coldest part of the year, Maine reaches the temperature of 7ºF and Iowa gets down to 10ºF.
  • You can expect about 46 inches of annual rainfall in Maine versus 35 inches of rainfall in Iowa.
  • In Maine, it snows about 75 inches annually versus 30 inches of snow in Iowa.
  • Maine has a lower crime rate than Iowa with a crime index of 13.17 vs. 16.18.

Comparing the pros of Iowa vs. Maine

Getting a fresh start in a new location is exciting. Here’s a side-by-side look at the perks of living in Maine compared to Iowa.

Pros of living in Iowa Pros of living in Maine
Low cost of living Beautiful outdoors
Ample economic opportunity High quality
High quality of education Delicious fresh food
No traffic Ample economic opportunity
Beautiful outdoors Bountiful recreational opportunities

Comparing the cons of living in Iowa vs. Maine

Everything can’t be sunshine and rainbows all the time, no matter where you live. Here are some things to be aware of when leaving Iowa for Maine.

Cons of living in Iowa Cons of living in Maine
Severe weather conditions Harsh winter weather
Limited recreational opportunities High tax burden
High taxes Remote
High emphasis on politics Limited job progression
Rustic food Low diversity

Other things to consider for your Iowa to Maine movetoggle

  • Weather: Maine has a humid continental climate. with warm and sometimes humid summers, and long, cold and very snowy winters. Winters are especially severe in the Northern and Western parts of Maine, while coastal areas are moderated slightly by the Atlantic Ocean, resulting in marginally milder winters and cooler summers than inland regions.
  • HOA rules: Check ahead with any neighborhood or community rules on moving to ensure a smooth move.
  • Elevator reservation: One common and important example of something that should be handled ahead of time is reserving the building's elevator and finding out their rules for using the elevator.
  • Parking permits: Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles, find out ahead of time with your new local rules.
  • 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 on the state regulator's official website.
  • 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 so that all your mail will get properly forwarded to Maine. Get started here.
  • Mover's insurance: Interstate moving companies are required under federal law to provide basic insurance — also called “released value protection” — free of charge to all moving customers. 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: Peace of mind is priceless. Our moving checklist will help you know you’ve got everything covered.

Things to do in Mainetoggle

While you’re in Maine, you won’t be bored. These are some of the coolest places to visit in your new home state:

  • 1: Marginal Way and Ogunquit Beach
  • 2: Acadia National Park
  • 3: Mount Desert Island
  • 4: Kennebunkport
  • 5: Baxter State Park
  • 6: Boothbay Harbor
  • 7: Old Orchard Beach
  • 8: Portland Museum of Art
  • 9: Portland Head Light
  • 10: Victoria Mansion
  • 11: Cape Neddick Nubble Lighthouse
  • 12: Pemaquid Point Lighthouse
  • 13: Desert of Maine
  • 14: Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens
  • 15: Monhegan Island
  • 16: Maine Maritime Museum
  • 17: Farnsworth Art Museum
  • 18: West Quoddy Head Lighthouse
  • 19: Asticou Azalea Garen
  • 20: Seashore Trolley Museum
source: AttractionsofAmerica

FAQs

What is the cheapest way to move from Iowa to Maine?toggle

Hiring a full-service Iowa moving company will be on the more expensive side, while a rental truck or a moving container is usually the cheaper way to go, but requires more work. Here’s our guide for the cheapest way to move out of state.

Do movers transport your car from Iowa to Maine?toggle

Some full-service movers can coordinate auto transport for you as part of your relocation package for an additional fee. But you can also handle vehicle transport from Iowa to Maine separately through one of the top car shipping companies.

What are the benefits of moving from Iowa to Maine?toggle

The main reasons people are moving from Iowa to Maine are the amazing upsides of living in Maine such as beautiful outdoors and high quality.

Is it cheaper to live in Iowa or Maine?toggle

It is generally cheaper to live in Iowa than in Maine. Housing is much more affordable in Iowa, with average rent about 9% less and home prices 45% lower than in Maine. Taxes are also lower in Iowa, most notably income taxes, which are more than 20% less than those paid by Maine residents.

How much should you make a year to live comfortably in Maine?toggle

You should make approximately $60,365 as a single adult with no children to live comfortably in Maine. The cost of living in Maine is approximately $2,226 per month for an individual and $5,563 for a family of four. The exact amount you’ll need to live comfortably may be more or less depending on where in Maine you live For example, larger cities like Portland and Lewiston will have higher housing costs than those in smaller towns.

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