($1,888) Movers From Billings, MT to Portland, ME

What to know before moving from Billings to Portland

Moving from Billings to Portland comes with exciting new opportunities — but also higher living costs. Since Portland is generally more expensive than Billings, 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 Portland are 53% higher than in Billings, 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 Billings.
  Home prices in Portland are 42.0% higher than in Billings.
• Income in Portland is 1.0% higher than in Billings, so you could earn more for doing the same job. The top employers in Portland include TD Banknorth Inc, Maine Medical Center, and Unum Life Insurance Company of America.
• Be sure to budget for higher bills in Portland, since the cost of living for a single person in Portland is 40.5% higher than in Billings. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
• If you’re moving your family to Portland, keep in mind that your living expenses could increase. The cost of living for a family in Portland is 33.6% higher than in Billings.
• The unemployment rate in Portland is 26.83% higher than in Billings.
• You’ll spend more on retail and restaurants in Portland, since the city’s sales taxes in Portland are 5.50% higher than in Billings.
• One perk of moving to Portland is paying less in state income taxes, which are 14.07% lower than in Billings.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $4,214.89 in Portland to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Billings.

How life is different in Billings vs. Portland

• Portland might offer you a slower pace of life, since the population is about 63% less than Billings.
• Portland offers better access to buses and trains than Billings, based on public transportation ratings. Portland has a transit score of 6 out of 10 compared to 3 in Billings. The higher the score, the more public transportation pickup and dropoff locations a city provides.
• Living in Portland means you’ll likely be within closer walking distance to restaurants, shops, parks, and entertainment than you are in Billings. Portland is considered more walkable than Billings, with a score of 62 out of 100 versus 35 out of 100 in Billings. A city’s walkability score indicates how pedestrian-friendly it is in terms of proximity of neighborhoods to amenities.
• If cycling is your thing, Portland is considered more bike-friendly than Billings in terms of designated lanes and connectivity and how many residents opt to commute on two wheels rather than by car. Portland has a bike-friendliness score of 68 out of 100, while Billings is rated as 47 out of 100.
• Portland has a lower crime rate than Billings based on scores of 32.16 and Billings's 48.63, respectively. The crime index shows how safe a city is perceived to be. So, a lower score generally means less crime.
• You might find more confidence in your overall safety in Portland than in Billings, based on Portland’s safety index of 67.84 versus 50.37 for Billings. With this index, higher scores indicate more safety, particularly around how comfortable residents feel walking alone during the day and at night.
• The air quality in Portland and Billings 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 Billings vs. Portland move

• Weather: August, July and June are the most pleasant months in Portland, while January and February are the least comfortable months.
• 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: 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 check the status of a Maine moving license through the state's public utilities commission.
• Moving permits: Maine 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 Portland. Start the process here.
• Moving company insurance: Each state has its own requirements for the level of insurance moving companies must carry.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

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

Helpful moving resources