($1,397) Movers From Chapel Hill, NC to Portland, ME

What to know before moving from Chapel Hill to Portland

Moving from Chapel Hill to Portland comes with exciting new opportunities — but also higher living costs. Since Portland is generally more expensive than Chapel Hill, 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 2% higher than in Chapel Hill, 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 Portland.
  Home prices in Portland are 8.5% lower than in Chapel Hill.
• Income in Portland is 2.2% lower than in Chapel Hill, so you could earn less 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 10.8% higher than in Chapel Hill. 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 26.5% higher than in Chapel Hill.
• The unemployment rate in Portland is 62.50% higher than in Chapel Hill.
• You’ll spend less on retail and restaurants in Portland, since the city’s sales taxes in Portland are 26.67% lower than in Chapel Hill.
• State income taxes in Portland are 28.89% higher than in Chapel Hill.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $3,324.29 in Portland to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Chapel Hill.

How life is different in Chapel Hill vs. Portland

• The population of Portland is about 7% greater than Chapel Hill, 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.
• Your access to buses, shuttles, trams, or trains in Portland will be about the same as it currently is in Chapel Hill. The cities share a similar public transportation score, which means their transit systems are comparable in terms of how connected they are, how often they provide service, and how close they are to jobs, housing, retail and food stores, and other important locations.
• Living in Portland means you’ll likely be within closer walking distance to restaurants, shops, parks, and entertainment than you are in Chapel Hill. Portland is considered more walkable than Chapel Hill, with a score of 62 out of 100 versus 34 out of 100 in Chapel Hill. 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 Chapel Hill 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 Chapel Hill is rated as 50 out of 100.
• The crime rate in Portland is higher than in Chapel Hill, so you may want to exercise a little extra caution as you're acclimating to your new location. While the crime index is 32.16 in Portland, it is 26.42 in Chapel Hill. 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 Portland. With a crime index of 67.84, Portland ranks lower in overall safety than Chapel Hill, whose index is Chapel Hill's 73.58. 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.
• You can breathe easy knowing that Portland has better air quality than in Chapel Hill. Portland has Good air quality, compared to moderate in Chapel Hill. Ratings of good to moderate mean very low risk of health concerns, although people with conditions like asthma or allergies could be affected. Beyond the moderate rating, health concerns increase for some or all residents.

Other things to consider for your Chapel Hill 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: 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: 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. Ensure the company you choose is licensed to handle your move.
• State regulator: You can verify a Maine moving company\’s license by visiting the state'spublic utilities commission
• Moving permits: You won’t need a moving permit in Maine, 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 toPortland Start the process here.
• Moving company insurance: The amount and type of insurance movers must have depends on state regulations.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: Let our moving checklist guide you through the process and help ensure nothing slips through the cracks.

Where to live in Portland

Now that you’ve chosen "Forest City" as your next home, here are a few of the best neighborhoods in Portland to check out.

Helpful moving resources