($1,293) Movers From Washington DC, MD to Portland, ME

What to know before moving from Washington DC to Portland

Moving from Washington DC to Portland means adjusting to a different pace of life — and a different price tag. On average, it costs significantly more to live in Washington DC than in Portland, making the move an opportunity for many to enjoy a lower cost of living.

Check out how Washington DC compares to Portland so you know what to expect before you relocate:

• Rent prices in Portland are 17% lower than in Washington DC, 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 Portland.
  Home prices in Portland are 8.8% lower than in Washington DC.
• Income in Portland is 36.9% lower than in Washington DC, so you could earn less for doing the same job. The top employers in Portland include TD Banknorth Inc, Maine Medical Center, and Unum Life Insurance Company of America.
• The cost of living for a single person in Portland is 37.1% lower than in Washington DC. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
• The cost of living for a family in Portland is 45.4% lower than in Washington DC.
• The unemployment rate in Portland is 25.71% lower than in Washington DC.
• You’ll spend less on retail and restaurants in Portland, since the city’s sales taxes in Portland are 8.33% lower than in Washington DC.
• State income taxes are the same in Portland and Washington DC.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $1,885.69 in Portland to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Washington DC.

How life is different in Washington DC vs. Portland

• Portland might offer you a slower pace of life, since the population is about 90% less than Washington DC.
• Getting around Portland without a car might be more difficult than in Washington DC. Portland has a public transportation score of 6 out of 10, whereas Washington DC is ranked 9. 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 Washington DC. Based on its score of 62 out of 100, Portland isn’t as walkable as Washington DC, which has a score of 77 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.
• Portland and Washington DC are similarly bike-friendly based on their comparable ratings of 68 and 70 respectively. Bike-friendliness scores between 50 and 100 indicate varying levels of infrastructure to support cyclists, including bike lanes and roadway connectivity. Cities with scores under 50 are considered more car-dependent.
• Portland has a lower crime rate than Washington DC based on scores of 32.16 and Washington DC's 60.37, 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 Washington DC, based on Portland’s safety index of 67.84 versus 39.63 for Washington DC. 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 Washington DC 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 Washington DC 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: Be sure to review your community or HOA guidelines before moving day to avoid any surprises or delays.
• Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator, make sure to find out how to reserve it ahead of your move.
• Truck parking permits: Many cities require special permits for parking large moving trucks. Check in advance to see if one is needed for your move.
• 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.Double-check that the moving company is properly licensed before you hire them.
• State regulator: You can check the status of a Maine moving license through the state's public utilities commission.
• Moving permits: Maine doesn\’t require moving permits, but it\’s still a good idea to check local parking rules before your move-in day.
• Change of address: We suggest filing your USPS change of address form at least one week before your move. You’ll be able to set your official move date, helping ensure your mail is forwarded correctly to Portland. Start the process here.
• Moving company insurance: Each state has its own requirements for the level of insurance moving companies must carry.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: Use our moving checklist to stay on top of every detail and reduce last-minute stress.

Where to live in Portland

Ready to relocate to "Forest City"? Here are some of the top neighborhoods to consider in Portland.

Helpful moving resources