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Things to know before moving from Massachusetts to Portland, ME
Cost of living: Massachusetts vs Portland, ME
| Massachusetts | Portland | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $1,588 | $1,991 |
| Average home value | $623,131 | $542,001 |
| Average income (per capita) | $96,505 | $64,171 |
| Unemployment rate | 4% | 5% |
| State income tax | 9% | 6% |
Portland sources: Zumper, Zillow, Numbeo
- Rent is about 25% more expensive in Portland than in Massachusetts.
- Home prices are about 13% lower in Portland than in Massachusetts.
- The average income is about 34% lower in Portland than in Massachusetts.
- Portland has a higher unemployment rate than Massachusetts by about 33%.
- Income taxes are 36% lower in Portland than in Massachusetts.
How life is different in Portland from Massachusetts
| Portland | Massachusetts | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 68,408 | 7,001,399 |
| Political leaning | Republican 50-48 | Democratic 61.5-36.3 |
| Summer high | 79ºF | 82ºF |
| Winter low | 11ºF | 16ºF |
| Annual rain | 49" | 49" |
| Annual snow | 61" | 47" |
| Crime index | 32.16 | 13.92 |
Portland sources: Wikipedia, AllTransit, Walk Score, NeighborhoodScout, AirNow
- The population of Portland is approximately 99% lower than the population of Massachusetts.
- In the last presidential election, Portland voted Republican and Massachusetts voted Democratic.
- The average high in the summertime in Portland is 79ºF and in Massachusetts, it’s 82ºF.
- During the coldest part of the year, Portland reaches the temperature of 11ºF and Massachusetts gets down to 16ºF.
- You can expect about 49 inches of annual rainfall in Portland vs 49 inches of rainfall in Massachusetts.
- In Portland, it snows about 61 inches annually vs 47 inches of snow in Massachusetts.
- Portland has a higher crime rate than Massachusetts with a crime index of 32.16 vs 13.92.
Things to do in Portland
Whether you’re looking for parks, museums, sports, or even universities, you’ll be happy to find a plethora of these in Portland.
Museums in Portland
Parks in Portland
Sports Teams in Portland
Universities in Portland
Other considerations when moving to Portland, ME
- 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: 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 and this way all of your mail will get properly forwarded to Maine. Get started here.
- Mover's insurance: Every state has their own requirements when it comes to 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: Peace of mind is priceless. Our moving checklist will help you know you’ve got everything covered.
FAQ
How long does a move from Massachusetts to Portland take?
The time frame for a move from Massachusetts to Portland, ME, varies based on your moving method and starting location. The actual loading up of your items should not take more than a day, even with DIY moves.
Obviously, the further upstate you are in Massachusetts, the longer the drive time to Portland will be. If you’re driving a rental truck, the move could be completed in one or two days, on average, depending on your route and how often you stop.
With professional movers or moving containers, delivery times to Portland from Massachusetts can range from a few days to a couple of weeks, depending on the company’s schedule and transit logistics. You can always ask for a general timeline before booking.
How far in advance should I book movers when moving from Massachusetts to Portland?
Because of the 119-mile move, it’s best to book your move from Massachusetts to Portland as soon as you have your moving details. Ideally, you’d book your move two to three months ahead of time.
What time of year is the cheapest to move to Portland, ME?
With the summer highs of 79ºF and the winter lows of 11ºF, most people move to Portland from Massachusetts during the spring and fall months. To avoid competing during those busy moving seasons, you could save some money by booking your move to Portland during summer or winter.
