St. Paul, MN to Portland, ME Movers (NEW 2026 Costs)
Quick answer: Moving from St. Paul to Portland typically costs $3,600–$7,500 with full-service movers for a 2–3 bedroom home (about 1,488 miles). Use our moving cost calculator below to get an instant estimate.
|
|
|
 rating
4.2 / 5
Licensed
Insured
Price
|
Cost to move from St. Paul to Portland
Moving from St. Paul, MN to Portland, ME typically costs $3,600–$7,500 with full-service movers for a 2–3 bedroom home.
The price ranges below are estimates for a 1,488-mile move from St. Paul to Portland, based on moveBuddha pricing data as of Mar 16, 2026. Pricing is updated monthly to reflect seasonality and market changes.
Studio / 1 bedroom
|
2-3 bedrooms
|
4+ bedrooms
|
Recent moving quotes for similar moves
- United Van Lines recently quoted $5,603 for a 1 bedroom (large) using professional movers.
- Safeway Moving recently quoted $3,287 for a 1 bedroom (small) using professional movers.
- Mayzlin Relocation recently quoted $3,786 for a 2 bedroom using professional movers.
1 Bedroom (large)
Feb 16, 2026
1 Bedroom (small)
Feb 16, 2026
2 Bedrooms
Feb 08, 2026
4 Bedrooms
Feb 05, 2026
Studio apartment
Feb 02, 2026
Studio apartment
Jan 31, 2026
1 Bedroom (small)
Jan 18, 2026
1 Bedroom (small)
Dec 19, 2025
1 Bedroom (large)
Dec 09, 2025
2 Bedrooms
Nov 28, 2025
Factors that impact moving costs from St. Paul to Portland
Your total cost will depend on:
- The size of your move: Costs rise with more belongings. A small one-bedroom move can start at $2,700, but larger homes can run up to $10,700.
- Seasonal timing: Demand peaks in summer — expect premium rates during moving season in St. Paul.
- Whether you hire pros or do it yourself: Choosing DIY with a truck ($1,000–$2,800) is cheaper, though tougher, than using movers.
Moving the opposite route? We got you covered with our moving from Portland, ME to St. Paul, MN guide.
Best St. Paul to Portland movers by type
Professional
|
Local
|
Container
|
Rental Truck
|
Labor Only
|
Best professional movers from St. Paul to Portland
For a stress-free interstate move from St. Paul to Portland, selecting a full-service mover is a wise choice. These professionals cover all aspects of the move, freeing you to focus on the excitement of your new adventure.
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 MN→ME movers
Our team at moveBuddha evaluated moving rates from 50 Minnesota moving companies, highlighting the top options based on client feedback, reviews, and pricing.
- Customer satisfaction (40%): Services are delivered promptly, with excellent communication, and at the cost initially quoted.
- Dispute resolution (20%): Problems sometimes come up during moves. We favor companies that admit faults and focus on making things right for the customer.
- Industry reputation (15%): Known for its positive standing, the company is respected in the moving industry and contributes through conferences and memberships.
- Online reputation (15%): The company maintains a professional website with accurate information and responds to online customer inquiries promptly and courteously.
- Service options (10%): Movers that offer a wide range of services — from packing and storage to specialty handling and fast delivery — rank higher in our evaluations.
Here is our full moving company rating methodology.
What to know before moving from St. Paul to Portland
Expect a bump in monthly expenses after the move - Portland runs about -31% higher for singles and 41% higher for families than St. Paul.
Singles spend around $2,491 in Portland versus $3,633 in St. Paul; families pay $6,060 compared with $4,290.
Dig into the side-by-side details here:
| St. Paul | Portland | |
|---|---|---|
| Average 1 BR rent | $1,925 | |
| Average 3 BR rent | $3,500 | |
| Average home value | $278,221 | $542,001 |
| Average income (per capita) | $63,483 | $64,171 |
| Cost of living (single) | $3,633 | $2,491 |
| Cost of living (family of four) | $4,290 | $6,060 |
| Unemployment rate | 4.9% | 5.2% |
| Sales tax | 9.88% | 5.5% |
| State income tax | 9.85% | 5.8% |
- As you consider relocating to Portland, note that rent can be roughly 47% more expensive than it is in St. Paul; adjust your financial plans to accommodate this change.
- Be sure to budget for a higher monthly mortgage payment, as home prices are about 95% higher in Portland than in St. Paul.
- The average income in Portland and St. Paul is quite similar, within about 5%, so your finances should remain fairly stable.
- Anticipate lower daily expenses, including food, gas, and utilities in Portland, where the cost of living for a single person is 31% less than in St. Paul.
- If your journey leads to Portland, be prepared for higher living expenditures. The cost of living for a family in Portland is 41% more than it is in St. Paul.
- The unemployment rate in Portland is 6% higher compared to St. Paul, translating to more job seekers for available positions, which might elevate competition.
- Sales taxes are 44% lower in Portland than in St. Paul. If you have a larger family or higher consumption habits, the lower sales tax in Portland can reduce your overall living expenses.
- Income taxes are 41% lower in Maine compared to Minnesota. With these reduced income tax rates, your paycheck will reflect more of your earnings, allowing you greater freedom in managing your finances.
The breakdown below shows how typical living costs and monthly expenses line up when comparing St. Paul with Portland:
| Living Expense | St. Paul | Portland |
|---|---|---|
| Basic utilities | $203.15 | |
| Cell phone plan | $54.88 | |
| Dozen eggs | $4.26 | |
| Loaf of bread | $3.62 | |
| Fast-food/casual eatery (one meal) | $25.00 | |
| Dinner for 2 (mid-range restaurant) | $120.00 | |
| Gym membership | $65.00 |
How life is different in St. Paul vs. Portland
| St. Paul | Portland | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 303,176 | 68,408 |
| Transportation score | 8 | 6 |
| Walkability score | 60 | 62 |
| Bike friendliness score | 64 | 68 |
| Crime index | 50.86 | 32.16 |
| Safety index | 49.14 | 67.84 |
| Air quality | Good | Good |
- Portland's population is about 77% less than St. Paul.
- Portland's public transportation score of 6 out of 10 is lower than St. Paul's score of 8.
- Portland and St. Paul are similarly walkable.
- With a score of 68 out of 100, Portland is more bike-friendly than St. Paul, which has a score of 64 out of 100. The higher a city's score, the more suited it is to safely accommodating cyclists.
- Portland's crime rate is lower than St. Paul with a score of 32.16 compared to St. Paul's 50.86. This means that Portland neighborhoods are safer than 32.16% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and St. Paul neighborhoods are safer than 50.86%.
- Portland is considered to be safer than St. Paul with a safety index of 67.84 vs St. Paul's 49.14.
- Air quality in Portland is Good, and in St. Paul it's Good.
Other things to consider for your St. Paul to Portland move
- HOA rules: It's a good idea to look into your HOA or community regulations before moving day arrives.
- Elevator reservation: Reserve elevator access early if your building requires it, to avoid delays on moving day.
- Truck parking permits: Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles and moving trucks. Find out if you need any parking permits ahead of time.
- 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 verify a Maine moving company's license by visiting the state's public utilities commission.
- Moving Permits: While Maine doesn't mandate moving permits, checking local parking guidelines before your move-in day is still a good idea.
- Change of address: File your USPS change of address about a week before moving so mail reaches Portland smoothly. Start the process here.
- Moving company insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of insurance. 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
Now that you've chosen The Forest City as your next home, here are a few of the best neighborhoods in Portland to check out.
Best neighborhoods for singles
- East End
- West End
- West Bayside
- Parkside
- Downtown
- Oakdale
- Back Cove
- Valley Street
Best neighborhoods for families
- Deering Center
- East End
- Rosemont
- West End
- Valley Street
- North Deering
- Back Cove
- East Deering
- Oakdale
Things to do in Portland
After getting comfortable in your new Maine home, it's time to see what Portland is all about. Whether you're into food, art, nature, or nightlife — there's plenty to check out:
- Arts and culture: From historic museums to vibrant art centers, Portland offers cultural landmarks like the Portland Museum of Art, Victoria Mansion, 5th Maine Museum, and The Wadsworth-Longfellow House.
- Outdoor recreation: The city's Eastern Promenade Trail, Back Cove Trail, Deering Oaks Park, and Quarry Run Dog Park — among other sites — are great places to hike, ride bikes, or just enjoy nature.
- Sports: Grab a seat and root for the home team during an Maine Celtics (G League)Maine Mariners (ECHL) game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from St. Paul to Portland?
The most budget-friendly and comfortable times to move from St. Paul to Portland are in the spring or fall, when the weather is mild and moving rates in St. Paul are lower.
When is the cheapest time to move from St. Paul to Portland?
Because spring and fall moves from St. Paul to Portland are so common, winter can be a great time to move if you're looking for lower prices. Read our moving discounts guide to see how.
How long does a move from St. Paul to Portland take?
A move of 1,488 miles from St. Paul, MN to Portland, ME generally takes three to eight days. Movers in St. Paul sometimes provide expedited service, while storage in Portland is a good fallback if you need extra time.
Which discounts can you find from movers in St. Paul?
Plenty of moving companies offer ways to help you save, from seasonal promotions to ongoing deals. In St. Paul, 3 movers provide AAA member discounts. 1 companies offer special pricing for members of the military. 2 extend savings to senior citizens.
Discount types, amounts, and availability can differ, so it’s worth confirming the details with each mover before you book.
Which movers in St. Paul offer piano or antique moving?
Some moving jobs call for extra care and expertise. 28 movers in St. Paul have the skills and equipment for piano transport. 13 specialize in safely moving antiques. Across MN, there are 42 piano movers and 17 antique movers, while nationwide the numbers reach 2,296 and 1,463.
Because not every mover offers these services, ask about specialty experience and insurance coverage when you request quotes.
