Quick answer: A typical 556-mile move from Portland to Buffalo runs $622–$7,781 and takes one to six days. Price and timing vary based on how much stuff you are moving, move date, and choice of DIY or full-service.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Moving from Buffalo to Portland guide.
Our track record
Best Movers By Type
Professional
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Labor Only
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Best Professional Movers from Portland to Buffalo
Choosing a long-distance moving company in Portland to go to Buffalo can be overwhelming. With so many options, it's hard to know which movers to trust… and which ones to avoid.
Don't worry — you won't have to sort through all of them. We've done the research for you and narrowed down the list based on customer satisfaction, cost, and services.
Safeway Moving
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American Van Lines
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Allied Van Lines
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Mayzlin Relocation
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North American Van Lines
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How we chose the best moving companies for your ME to NY move
Local moving companies servicing Portland to Buffalo moves
When planning a move from Portland to Buffalo, finding a local mover that also handles long-distance relocations can be tricky. There are plenty of companies, but which ones are actually worth it?
We've taken care of the research for you — reviewing local movers in Portland who provide long-distance services, and scoring them on price, customer reviews, and reliability.
These are the best local moving companies for getting from Portland to Buffalo.
- Liberty Bell Moving & Storage of Maine: 4.8 out of 5 stars
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK: 4.76 out of 5 stars
- Bisson Moving & Storage: 4.58 out of 5 stars
- Allen & Coles Moving Systems: 4.34 out of 5 stars
- Midwest Moving Company: 4.42 out of 5 stars
Company Info
Years in Business: 16
DOT #: 1846942
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Hot Tubs
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Fragile-only packing
- Safes
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
Company Info
Years in Business: 8
DOT #: 2527384
Alternate Names: TMT Portland, LLC
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Pianos
- Storage
- Safes
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
Years in Business: 105
DOT #: 125550
Alternate Names: Bisson Moving & Storage Company, Bisson I & R Commercial Services, Bisson I & R Document Security, Bisson Transportation
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Hot Tubs
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Grandfather clocks
- Crating
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Fragile-only packing
- Safes
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
Years in Business: 38
DOT #: 070851
Alternate Names: Agent for North American Van Lines, Allen & Coles Moving System
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Pool Tables
- Antiques
- Crating
- Storage
- Fragile-only packing
- Safes
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
DOT #: 3263587
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Hot Tubs
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Grandfather clocks
- Crating
- Full-valuation coverage
- Fragile-only packing
- Safes
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
How much does it cost to move from Portland to Buffalo?
Portland movers charge $135 per hour on average. Here are average prices for a full-service moving company, moving container, or truck:
Move size | Moving company | Moving container | Rental truck |
---|---|---|---|
Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,565 - $4,594 | $904 - $2,137 | $538 - $1,031 |
2 - 3 bedrooms | $3,069 - $7,781 | $1,601 - $3,134 | $622 - $1,236 |
4+ bedrooms | $5,464 - $11,561 | $1,968 - $3,691 | $760 - $1,432 |
Cost to hire movers from Maine to New York
Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from Maine to New York will cost between $1,565 and $4,594. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home from ME to NY will range from $3,069 to $7,781, and a large move from Maine to New York will cost from $5,464 to $11,561.
Cost of moving containers from Maine to New York
If you're moving from Maine to New York, expect to pay between $904 and $2,137 for a small load. For a home with two or three bedrooms, prices typically range from $1,601 up to $3,134. Larger moves of four bedrooms or more can run between $1,968 and $3,691. Check out our guide on PODS cost for more details.
Check out the most affordable moving container companies for your move from Maine.
Cost of moving truck rentals from Maine to New York
Renting a moving truck is usually your cheapest option, but keep in mind you'll be handling all the loading, unloading, and driving yourself.
If you're moving a studio or one-bedroom apartment with a rental truck, expect to spend between $538 and $1,031. For two to three bedrooms, rates typically fall between $622 and $1,236. Relocating a four-bedroom (or bigger) home? You're likely looking at anywhere from $760 up to $1,432 for your rental truck.
These quotes include estimated fuel costs.
Factors influencing moving costs from Portland to Buffalo
What to know before moving from Portland to Buffalo
Moving from Portland to Buffalo comes with exciting new opportunities — but also higher living costs. Since Buffalo 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:
Portland | Buffalo | |
---|---|---|
Average rent cost | $1,991 | $1,200 |
Average home value | $542,001 | $213,418 |
Average income (per capita) | $64,171 | $63,443 |
Cost of living (single person) | $2,491 | $2,589 |
Cost of living (family of 4) | $6,060 | $5,720 |
Unemployment rate | 5.2% | 9.5% |
Sales tax | 5.5% | 8.75% |
State income tax | 5.8% | 10.9% |
- Rent prices in Buffalo are 40% lower than in Portland, which means you'll have more money in your pocket each month.
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In terms of homeownership, you'll be able to get more for your money in Buffalo.
Home prices in Buffalo are 60.6% lower than in Portland. - Income in Buffalo is 1.1% lower than in Portland, so you could earn less for doing the same job. The top employers in Buffalo — including UBS, Delaware North, and Human — may pay more.
- Be sure to budget for higher bills in Buffalo, since the cost of living for a single person in Buffalo is 3.9% higher than in Portland. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
- A move to Buffalo can help cut down on a family's routine expenses, including utilities, transportation, and groceries. The cost of living for a family of four is 5.6% less than what it costs in Portland.
- The unemployment rate in Buffalo is 82.69% higher than in Portland.
- Shopping and dining out will likely be a little pricier in Buffalo, since its sales taxes are 59.09% higher than what you are paying in Portland.
- State income taxes in Buffalo are 87.93% higher than in Portland.
To put this in perspective, you would need around $3,118.02 in Buffalo to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Portland.
How life is different in Portland vs. Buffalo
Buffalo | Portland | |
---|---|---|
Population | 278,349 | 68,408 |
AllTransit Transportation Performance Score | 7 | 6 |
Walkability score | 67 | 62 |
Bike friendliness score | 63 | 68 |
Crime Index | 8.0 | 32.16 |
Safety Index | 53.55 | 67.84 |
Air Quality | Moderate | Good |
- The population of Buffalo is about 307% 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.
- Buffalo offers better access to buses and trains than Portland, based on public transportation ratings. Buffalo has a transit score of 7 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 Buffalo means you'll likely be within closer walking distance to restaurants, shops, parks, and entertainment than you are in Portland. Buffalo is considered more walkable than Portland, with a score of 67 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 Buffalo, which is ranked as less bike-friendly than Portland. While Portland has a bike-friendliness score of 68 out of 100, Buffalo earned a 63. 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.
- Buffalo has a lower crime rate than Portland based on scores of 8.0 and Portland's 32.16, respectively. The crime index shows how safe a city is perceived to be. So, a lower score generally means less crime.
- You may want to exercise more caution as you're getting used to your new surroundings in Buffalo. With a crime index of 53.55, Buffalo ranks lower in overall safety than Portland, whose index is 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 Buffalo isn't as good as it is in Portland, so you may want to take precautions if you suffer from conditions like allergies or asthma. Buffalo has an air quality rating of Moderate, and Portland is considered to be good. Cities with good to moderate air quality may have varying levels of minor potential for health risks for certain people. Beyond the moderate rating, those health risks increase in severity and the amount of residents affected.
Other things to consider for your Portland vs. Buffalo move
- Weather: Best months to move to Buffalo are August, July and June are the most pleasant months in Buffalo, while January and December are the least comfortable months due to extreme winter weather.
- HOA rules: To keep things running smoothly, make sure you're familiar with any HOA or community moving policies before the big day.
- Elevator reservation: Make sure to arrange elevator access in advance if your building requires reservations for moving.
- Truck parking permits: Make sure to look into local parking regulations—some areas require permits for large moving trucks.
- State licensing: New York requires moving companies to have a license and obtain a New York Department of Transportation (NYDOT) number. A NYDOT license ensures your mover is in compliance with the state's safety, insurance, and operational regulations. Ensure the company you choose is licensed to handle your move.
- State regulator: You can verify a New York moving company's license by visiting the state's public utilities commission.
- Moving Permits: You won't need a moving permit in New York, though it's smart to double-check any local parking restrictions ahead of your move.
- Change of address: To avoid missing any mail, we recommend submitting your USPS change of address form at least a week before your move. You can choose your official move date to make sure everything gets forwarded properly to Buffalo Start the process here.
- Moving company insurance: The amount and type of insurance movers must have depends on state regulations. Choose Released Value Protection for no-cost, minimal coverage 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: Let our moving checklist guide you through the process and help ensure nothing slips through the cracks.
Where to live in Buffalo
Now that you've chosen Queen City as your next home, here are a few of the best neighborhoods in Buffalo to check out.
Best neighborhoods for singles
- Delaware District
- Elmwood Strip
- Downtown
- Parkside
- North Park
Best neighborhoods for families
- Williamsville
- Clarence Center
- Grandyle Village
- Billington Heights
- Rapids
Things to do in Buffalo
Once you're settled into your new home in New York, it's time to get out and discover what Buffalo has to offer. No matter your interests, there's something for everyone here:
- Arts and culture: Buffalo is home to museums and cultural arts centers like the Buffalo & Erie County Naval and Military Park, Pierce-Arrow Museum, Albright-Knox Art Gallery, Buffalo Museum of Science, and Burchfield Penney Art Center.
- Outdoor recreation: The city's Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens, The Buffalo Zoo, Delaware Park, and Erie Basin Marina — among other sites — are great places to hike, ride bikes, or just enjoy nature.'
- Sports: Catch a live game and cheer on the home team at an Buffalo Bandits, Buffalo Beauts, Buffalo Bills (AAFC), or Buffalo Bisons (AHL) game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Portland to Buffalo?
If you're flexible with timing, spring and fall are great seasons to move from Portland to Buffalo. You'll dodge the heat, the crowds, and the higher moving costs typical of peak season in Portland.
When is the cheapest time to move from Portland to Buffalo?
Since spring and fall are the most popular times to move from Portland to Buffalo moving in the winter could help you save money. Check out our guide on moving discounts for more tips.
How long does a move from Portland to Buffalo take?
Covering 556 miles, the move from Portland, ME to Buffalo, NY typically takes one to six days. Some Portland movers may offer faster options, and if your timing is flexible, storage services in Buffalo can help bridge the gap.