Factors affecting the cost of moving from ME to NHtoggle

There are many factors that influence Maine moving costs. The cost to move from Maine to New Hampshire 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 Maine 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 ME to NH

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

Cost of living: Maine vs. New Hampshire

Maine New Hampshire
Average rent cost $1,009 $1,336
Average home cost $401,297 $478,955
Average income (per capita) $68,251 $90,845
Cost of Living Index 100 100
Unemployment rate 2.9% 2.1%
Average Sales Tax 5.5% 0.0%
State Income Tax 5.8% 4.0%
  • Rent is about 32% more expensive in New Hampshire than in Maine.
  • Home prices are about 19% higher in New Hampshire than in Maine.
  • The average income is about 33% higher in New Hampshire than in Maine.
  • Cost of living is about the same in New Hampshire and Maine.
  • New Hampshire has a lower unemployment rate than Maine by about 28%.
  • Sales taxes are 100% lower in New Hampshire than in Maine.
  • Income taxes are 31% lower in New Hampshire than in Maine.

How life is different in New Hampshire vs. Maine

New Hampshire Maine
Population 1,402,054 1,395,722
Political leaning Democratic 50.8-48.1 Democratic 52.6-45.3
Summer high 80ºF 78ºF
Winter low 9ºF 7ºF
Annual rain 46" 46"
Annual snow 68" 75"
Crime index 11.37 13.17
  • The population of New Hampshire is approximately 0% greater than the population of Maine.
  • In the last presidential election, New Hampshire voted Democratic and Maine voted Democratic.
  • The average high in the summertime in New Hampshire is 80ºF and in Maine, it’s 78ºF.
  • During the coldest part of the year, New Hampshire reaches the temperature of 9ºF and Maine gets down to 7ºF.
  • You can expect about 46 inches of annual rainfall in New Hampshire versus 46 inches of rainfall in Maine.
  • In New Hampshire, it snows about 68 inches annually versus 75 inches of snow in Maine.
  • New Hampshire has a lower crime rate than Maine with a crime index of 11.37 vs. 13.17.

Comparing the pros of Maine vs. New Hampshire

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

Pros of living in Maine Pros of living in New Hampshire
Beautiful outdoors Natural beauty
High quality Tranquil
Delicious fresh food Ample economic opportunity
Ample economic opportunity No sales tax
Bountiful recreational opportunities Bountiful recreational opportunities

Comparing the cons of living in Maine vs. New Hampshire

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 Maine for New Hampshire.

Cons of living in Maine Cons of living in New Hampshire
Harsh winter weather Long harsh winters
High tax burden Limited diversity
Remote Heavy traffic
Limited job progression Few urban amenities
Low diversity High cost of living

Other things to consider for your Maine to New Hampshire movetoggle

  • Weather: New Hampshire has warm, humid summers, and long, cold, and snowy winters. Winters are cold and snowy throughout the state, and especially severe in the northern and mountainous areas. Average annual snowfall ranges from 60 inches to over 100 inches across the state.
  • 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: The New Hampshire Department of Transportation (NHDOT) is the agency tasked with regulating and overseeing movers that offer relocation services within the state. If you’ve already moved and had a dispute with your moving company, they may be able to help resolve the issue, but you’ll need to file a formal complaint first. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
  • State regulator: You can verify a New Hampshire moving license and its status on the state regulator's official website.
  • Moving permits: New Hampshire 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 New Hampshire. 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. Choose Released Value Protection for a cost-free, minimal coverage option from movers. They're responsible for a maximum of 60 cents per pound per article. For comprehensive coverage, discuss alternatives with your 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 New Hampshiretoggle

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

  • Mount Washington Auto Road
  • Conway Scenic Railroad
  • Castle in the Clouds
  • Hampton Beach
  • Lakes Region
  • Mount Monadnock
  • Polar Caves Park
  • Kancamagus Highway
  • Franconia Notch State Park
  • Winnipesaukee
  • Strawbery Banke Museum
  • Story Land
  • Lost River Gorge & Boulder Caves
  • Clark’s Bears
  • Isles of Shoals
  • Prescott Park
  • Currier Museum of Art
  • Santa’s Village
  • Attitash Mountain Resort
  • Bretton Woods Mountain Resort

FAQs

What is the cheapest way to move from Maine to New Hampshire?toggle

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

What are the benefits of moving from Maine to New Hampshire?toggle

The main reasons people are moving from Maine to New Hampshire are the amazing upsides of living in New Hampshire such as natural beauty and tranquil.

Is it cheaper to live in Maine or New Hampshire?toggle

It is generally cheaper to live in Maine than in New Hampshire. While the overall cost of living is similar for both states, housing is more affordable in Maine, with average rent about 25% less and home prices 16% lower than in New Hampshire. However, taxes are lower in New Hampshire, most notably income taxes, which are more than 30% less than those paid by Maine residents.

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

You should make approximately $79,795 as a single adult with no children to live comfortably in New Hampshire. The cost of living in New Hampshire is approximately $2,853 per month for an individual and $7,000 for a family of four. The exact amount you’ll need to live comfortably may be more or less depending on where in New Hampshire you live For example, larger cities like Manchester and Nashua will have higher housing costs than those in smaller towns.

Helpful moving resources