($1,859) Movers From Fargo, ND to Portland, ME

What to know before moving from Fargo to Portland

Moving from Fargo to Portland comes with exciting new opportunities — but also higher living costs. Since Portland is generally more expensive than Fargo, 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 89% higher than in Fargo, 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 Fargo.
  Home prices in Portland are 88.5% higher than in Fargo.
• Income in Portland is 7.9% higher than in Fargo, 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 59.1% higher than in Fargo. 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 83.7% higher than in Fargo.
• The unemployment rate in Portland is 44.44% higher than in Fargo.
• You’ll spend less on retail and restaurants in Portland, since the city’s sales taxes in Portland are 26.67% lower than in Fargo.
• State income taxes in Portland are 100.00% higher than in Fargo.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $4,772.03 in Portland to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Fargo.

How life is different in Fargo vs. Portland

• Portland might offer you a slower pace of life, since the population is about 46% less than Fargo.
• Portland offers better access to buses and trains than Fargo, based on public transportation ratings. Portland has a transit score of 6 out of 10 compared to 4 in Fargo. 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 Fargo. Portland is considered more walkable than Fargo, with a score of 62 out of 100 versus 45 out of 100 in Fargo. 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 Fargo 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 Fargo is rated as 49 out of 100.
• The crime rate in Portland is higher than in Fargo, 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 8.0 in Fargo. With this index, the lower the score, the better, since it indicates a city’s crime levels.
• You might find more confidence in your overall safety in Portland than in Fargo, based on Portland’s safety index of 67.84 versus 56.17 for Fargo. 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 Fargo 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 Fargo 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