Portland, ME to Burlington, VT Movers (NEW 2026 Costs)
Quick answer: Moving from Portland to Burlington typically costs $1,900–$5,400 with full-service movers for a 2–3 bedroom home (about 257 miles). Use our moving cost calculator below to get an instant estimate.
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Cost to move from Portland to Burlington
Moving from Portland, ME to Burlington, VT typically costs $1,900–$5,400 with full-service movers for a 2–3 bedroom home.
The price ranges below are estimates for a 257-mile move from Portland to Burlington, based on moveBuddha pricing data as of Mar 16, 2026. Pricing is updated monthly to reflect seasonality and market changes.
Studio / 1 bedroom
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2-3 bedrooms
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4+ bedrooms
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Recent moving quotes for similar moves
- Mayzlin Relocation recently quoted $2,167 for a 1 bedroom (small) using professional movers.
- North American Van Lines recently quoted $3,111 for a 4 bedroom using professional movers.
- Safeway Moving recently quoted $3,116 for a 5+ bedroom using professional movers.
1 Bedroom (small)
Jan 17, 2026
4 Bedrooms
Jan 16, 2026
5+ Bedrooms
Jan 13, 2026
Studio apartment
Jan 09, 2026
2 Bedrooms
Dec 27, 2025
1 Bedroom (large)
Dec 27, 2025
2 Bedrooms
Dec 25, 2025
5+ Bedrooms
Dec 08, 2025
1 Bedroom (large)
Dec 03, 2025
2 Bedrooms
Nov 30, 2025
Key factors that influence moving costs from Portland to Burlington
Your total cost will depend on:
- The size of your home: Smaller moves (like one-bedrooms) cost less, sometimes just $1,200, while larger moves (four-bedrooms) can hit $7,500.
- Time of year: Summer is peak moving season in Portland, which means higher prices.
- The type of mover you choose: Renting a truck ($300–$800) saves money but adds work compared to hiring pros.
Moving the opposite route? We got you covered with our moving from Burlington, VT to Portland, ME guide.
Best Portland to Burlington movers by type
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Rental Truck
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Labor Only
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Best professional movers from Portland to Burlington
If you want to simplify your interstate move from Portland to Burlington, consider hiring a full-service mover. These professionals will take care of everything, so you can prioritize settling into your new environment without the extra hassle.
Want a deeper breakdown of the top long-distance movers? See our best interstate movers guide.
- Safeway Moving: 4.9 out of 5 stars
- American Van Lines: 4.9 out of 5 stars
- Allied Van Lines: 4.2 out of 5 stars
- Mayzlin Relocation: 4.8 out of 5 stars
- North American Van Lines: 4.8 out of 5 stars
Best overall value
How we chose the best ME→VT movers
At moveBuddha, our specialists conducted a thorough evaluation of 15 Maine moving companies, identifying the leading ones by examining client satisfaction, reviews, and value.
- Customer satisfaction (40%): The company consistently delivers services in a timely matter with good communication and within the estimated cost.
- Dispute resolution (20%): Errors happen in moving. The best companies acknowledge them quickly and take real steps to resolve any problems for their customers.
- Industry reputation (15%): Within the moving field, the company has earned respect and regularly engages in conferences and trade groups.
- Online reputation (15%): The organization ensures its website is reliable and actively addresses online customer inquiries in a professional manner.
- Service options (10%): Top movers provide versatile offerings including packing, storage, special-item handling, and the option for faster delivery when needed.
Here is our full moving company rating methodology.
What to know before moving from Portland to Burlington
Expect a bump in monthly expenses after the move - Burlington runs about 8% higher for singles and -9% higher for families than Portland.
Singles spend around $2,693 in Burlington versus $2,491 in Portland; families pay $5,537 compared with $6,060.
Dig into the side-by-side details here:
| Portland | Burlington | |
|---|---|---|
| Average 1 BR rent | $1,925 | $1,800 |
| Average 3 BR rent | $3,500 | $3,000 |
| Average home value | $542,001 | $495,758 |
| Average income (per capita) | $64,171 | $66,546 |
| Cost of living (single) | $2,491 | $2,693 |
| Cost of living (family of four) | $6,060 | $5,537 |
| Unemployment rate | 5.2% | 3.2% |
| Sales tax | 5.5% | 7.0% |
| State income tax | 5.8% | 8.75% |
- Rent is estimated to be 10% higher in Burlington compared to Portland; it's essential to account for this in your budget planning.
- Your budget can breathe easier with home prices being close to 9% less in Burlington than in Portland.
- Fortunately, the average income in Burlington and Portland is quite close, within a 5% range, so financial stability is likely.
- Be sure to budget for higher bills in Burlington, since the cost of living for a single person in Burlington is 8% higher than in Portland. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
- Choosing to move to Burlington can significantly lower your family's regular expenses, such as utilities, transport, and groceries. The cost of living for a family of four is 9% less than in Portland.
- Burlington enjoys an unemployment rate that's roughly 38% lower compared to Portland, suggesting better job prospects and a dynamic economy—an appealing prospect for new residents.
- Sales taxes rise by 27% in Burlington over Portland, leading to heightened expenses for everyday essentials.
- Income taxes are 51% higher in Vermont than in Maine, meaning that a larger fraction of your income will be spent on state taxes, potentially reducing your savings.
Here’s a closer snapshot of how common everyday costs and monthly bills compare between Portland and Burlington:
| Living Expense | Portland | Burlington |
|---|---|---|
| Basic utilities | $203.15 | $192.91 |
| Cell phone plan | $54.88 | $57.53 |
| Dozen eggs | $4.26 | $4.43 |
| Loaf of bread | $3.62 | $4.07 |
| Fast-food/casual eatery (one meal) | $25.00 | $21.00 |
| Dinner for 2 (mid-range restaurant) | $120.00 | $80.00 |
| Gym membership | $65.00 | $75.00 |
- Basic utilities tend to be more expensive in Portland than in Burlington.
- Cell phone plans are cheaper in Portland than in Burlington.
- Eggs are less expensive in Portland than in Burlington.
- Bread costs less in Portland than in Burlington.
- A quick meal tends to cost more in Portland than in Burlington.
- A mid-range dinner for two is pricier in Portland than in Burlington.
- Gym memberships are more affordable in Portland than in Burlington.
How life is different in Portland vs. Burlington
| Portland | Burlington | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 68,408 | 44,743 |
| Transportation score | 6 | 5 |
| Walkability score | 62 | 59 |
| Bike friendliness score | 68 | 81 |
| Crime index | 32.16 | 43.33 |
| Safety index | 67.84 | 56.67 |
| Air quality | Good | Good |
- Burlington's population is about 35% less than Portland.
- Burlington's public transportation score of 5 out of 10 is lower than Portland's score of 6.
- Burlington and Portland are similarly walkable.
- With a score of 81 out of 100, Burlington is more bike-friendly than Portland, which has a score of 68 out of 100. The higher a city's score, the more suited it is to safely accommodating cyclists.
- Burlington's crime rate is higher than Portland with a score of 43.33 compared to Portland's 32.16. This means that Burlington neighborhoods are safer than 43.33% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Portland neighborhoods are safer than 32.16%.
- Burlington is considered to be less safe than Portland with a score of 56.67 vs Portland's 67.84.
- Air quality in Burlington is Good, and in Portland it's Good.
Other things to consider for your Portland to Burlington move
- HOA rules: Be sure to review your community or HOA guidelines before moving day to avoid any surprises or delays.
- Elevator reservation: Make sure to arrange elevator access in advance if your building requires reservations for moving.
- Truck parking permits: To avoid fines or delays, check whether a parking permit is needed for your moving truck.
- State licensing: Although a local license is not required in Vermont, 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. Always verify licensing details before committing to a mover.
- State regulator: You can verify a Vermont moving license and its status through the state's public utilities commission.
- Moving Permits: Vermont 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: 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 Burlington. Start the process here.
- Moving company insurance: Every state sets its own rules for what insurance moving companies need to maintain. When it comes to movers' insurance in Vermont, many moving companies provide Released Value Protection at no extra charge, covering items at 60 cents per pound. For heightened protection, consider discussing Full Value Protection options with the moving company. Exploring third-party insurance providers for personalized plans is also an option. It's essential to understand coverage limits, potential additional costs, and read reviews to make an informed decision about your moving insurance in Vermont.
- Moving checklist: Follow our moving checklist to keep your move organized and stress-free.
Where to live in Burlington
Now that you've decided to make the move to BTV, these are the best neighborhoods to move to in Burlington.
Best neighborhoods for singles
- Five Sisters
- Downtown
- Old North End
- South End
- Hill Section (Hill District)
Best neighborhoods for families
- South End
- The Hill
Things to do in Burlington
Once you're settled into your new home in Vermont, it's time to get out and discover what Burlington has to offer. No matter your interests, there's something for everyone here:
- Arts and culture: You'll find museums and cultural hubs throughout Burlington, such as the Frog Hollow Craft Center, Burlington City Arts Center, Robert Hull Fleming Museum, and New City Galerie.
- Outdoor recreation: The city's Burlington Bike Path, Waterfront Park, North Beach Park, and Oakledge — and more — offering great opportunities to hike, bike, or relax in nature.
- Sports: Sports fans can join the excitement by supporting local favorites at an Vermont Catamounts (America East) game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Portland to Burlington?
The best time to move from Portland to Burlington is during the spring or fall. These seasons offer milder weather and avoid higher moving costs during the peak moving season in Portland.
When is the cheapest time to move from Portland to Burlington?
Since spring and fall are the most popular times to move from Portland to Burlington, 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 Burlington take?
Moving from Portland, ME to Burlington, VT covers 257 miles and usually takes one to four days. Need to move faster? Some Portland movers offer expedited options. If you're not ready to receive your items, look into storage solutions in Burlington.
Who can move pianos or antiques in Portland?
Specialty items need extra care and the right equipment. 9 movers in Portland advertise piano moving expertise. 6 movers in Portland provide antique moving services. State totals show 13 piano movers and 7 antique movers, with nationwide availability at 2,296 and 1,463.
Book early if you need these services — demand can outpace supply during busy moving seasons.
