Factors affecting the cost of moving from IL to MEtoggle

There are many factors that influence Illinois moving costs. The cost to move from Illinois 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 Illinois 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 IL to ME

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

Cost of living: Illinois vs. Maine

Illinois Maine
Average rent cost $1,179 $1,009
Average home cost $249,224 $401,297
Average income (per capita) $78,433 $68,251
Cost of Living Index 90 100
Unemployment rate 5.3% 2.9%
Average Sales Tax 8.82% 5.5%
State Income Tax 4.95% 5.8%
source: World Population Review, Zillow, US Census Bureau, US BLS, Tax Foundation
  • Rent is about 14% less expensive in Maine than in Illinois.
  • Home prices are about 61% higher in Maine than in Illinois.
  • The average income is about 13% lower in Maine than in Illinois.
  • Cost of living is 11% lower in Maine than in Illinois.
  • Maine has a lower unemployment rate than Illinois by about 45%.
  • Sales taxes are 38% lower in Maine than in Illinois.
  • Income taxes are 17% higher in Maine than in Illinois.

How life is different in Maine vs. Illinois

Maine Illinois
Population 1,395,722 12,549,689
Political leaning Democratic 52.6-45.3 Democratic 55-45
Summer high 78ºF 86ºF
Winter low 7ºF 17ºF
Annual rain 46" 40"
Annual snow 75" 22"
Crime index 13.17 19.7
source: US Census Bureau, 270TOWIN, NeighborhoodScout, BestPlaces
  • The population of Maine is approximately 89% lower than the population of Illinois.
  • In the last presidential election, Maine voted Democratic and Illinois voted Democratic.
  • The average high in the summertime in Maine is 78ºF and in Illinois, it’s 86ºF.
  • During the coldest part of the year, Maine reaches the temperature of 7ºF and Illinois gets down to 17ºF.
  • You can expect about 46 inches of annual rainfall in Maine versus 40 inches of rainfall in Illinois.
  • In Maine, it snows about 75 inches annually versus 22 inches of snow in Illinois.
  • Maine has a lower crime rate than Illinois with a crime index of 13.17 vs. 19.7.

Comparing the pros of Illinois 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 Illinois.

Pros of living in Illinois Pros of living in Maine
Home of Chicago Beautiful outdoors
Ample economic opportunity High quality
Bountiful recreational opportunities Delicious fresh food
Delicious food Ample economic opportunity
World-class sports culture Bountiful recreational opportunities

Comparing the cons of living in Illinois 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 Illinois for Maine.

Cons of living in Illinois Cons of living in Maine
Harsh winter weather Harsh winter weather
Bad traffic High tax burden
High crime rate Remote
Dull landscape Limited job progression
Strict laws Low diversity

Other things to consider for your Illinois 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 Illinois to Maine?toggle

Hiring a full-service Illinois 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 Illinois 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 Illinois to Maine separately through one of the top car shipping companies.

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

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

Is it cheaper to live in Illinois or Maine?toggle

It is generally cheaper to live in Illinois than in Maine. Housing is much more affordable in Illinois, with average rent about 17% less and home prices 38% lower than in Maine. Taxes are also lower in Illinois, most notably income taxes, which are more than 10% 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.

Helpful moving resources

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