($1,340) Movers From Portland, ME to Newark, NJ

What to know before moving from Portland to Newark

Moving from Portland to Newark comes with exciting new opportunities — but also higher living costs. Since Newark is generally more expensive than Portland, it’s important to plan ahead and budget carefully for the change.

Check out how the two cities compare so you know what to expect before you relocate:

• Rent prices in Newark are 16% higher than in Portland, which means you’ll have less money in your pocket each month.
• In terms of homeownership, you’ll be able to get more for your money in Newark.
  Home prices in Newark are 12.2% lower than in Portland.
• Income in Newark is 35.6% lower than in Portland, so you could earn less for doing the same job. The top employers in Newark include Panasonic Corporation of North America, Prudential Financial, and Prudential Capital & Investment Services.
• Be sure to budget for higher bills in Newark, since the cost of living for a single person in Newark is 3.4% higher than in Portland. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
• The cost of living for a family in Newark is 7.3% lower than in Portland.
• The unemployment rate in Newark is 150.00% higher than in Portland.
• You’ll spend more on retail and restaurants in Newark, since the city’s sales taxes in Newark are 20.55% higher than in Portland.
• State income taxes in Newark are 84.48% higher than in Portland.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $3,101.16 in Newark to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Portland.

How life is different in Portland vs. Newark

• The population of Newark is about 346% greater than Portland, so you may find more to see and do in your new surroundings. Of course, with more people can also come increased competition for jobs and housing.
• Newark offers better access to buses and trains than Portland, based on public transportation ratings. Newark has a transit score of 9 out of 10 compared to 6 in Portland. The higher the score, the more public transportation pickup and dropoff locations a city provides.
• Living in Newark means you’ll likely be within closer walking distance to restaurants, shops, parks, and entertainment than you are in Portland. Newark is considered more walkable than Portland, with a score of 76 out of 100 versus 62 out of 100 in Portland. A city’s walkability score indicates how pedestrian-friendly it is in terms of proximity of neighborhoods to amenities.
• You probably won’t see as many cycling lanes or off-road trails in Newark, which is ranked as less bike-friendly than Portland. While Portland has a bike-friendliness score of 68 out of 100, Newark earned a 51. Scores are based on factors like whether a city accommodates cyclists on major roadways, how often people bike to work, and how many steep hills it has.
• The crime rate in Newark is higher than in Portland, so you may want to exercise a little extra caution as you're acclimating to your new location. While the crime index is 75.24 in Newark, it is 32.16 in Portland. With this index, the lower the score, the better, since it indicates a city’s crime levels.
• You may want to exercise more caution as you’re getting used to your new surroundings in Newark. With a crime index of 24.76, Newark ranks lower in overall safety than Portland, whose index is Portland's 67.84. The safety index measures how safe people in a city feel about walking alone, both during the day and at night, as well as data on muggings, theft, vandalism, and other instances of petty crime.
• The air quality in Newark and Portland 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 Portland vs. Newark move

• Weather: Newark has cold winters and hot humid summers.
• 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: In New Jersey, the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs handles the regulation of in-state moving companies. The state’s Division of Consumer Affairs works to ensure that warehousemen (public storage companies) and public movers provide safe, reliable, and ethical services while adhering to all relevant state rules and regulations.Double-check that the moving company is properly licensed before you hire them.
• State regulator: You can check the status of a New Jersey moving license through the state's public utilities commission.
• Moving permits: New Jersey 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 Newark. Start the process here.
• Moving company insurance: Each state has its own requirements for the level of insurance moving companies must carry.Released Value Protection is the most economical option as it incurs no cost. It is provided by movers at no additional charge, but the coverage is minimal. Under this option, no more than 60 cents per pound per article is the responsibility of the mover. For example, if a delicate china set weighing 20 pounds is lost or damaged by the mover, only $12 (60 cents x 20 pounds) would be received. If coverage for the full value of your items is needed, consultation with the moving company you're hiring for other options or a third-party insurance provider is recommended.
• Moving checklist: Use our moving checklist to stay on top of every detail and reduce last-minute stress.

Where to live in Newark

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

Helpful moving resources