Factors affecting the cost of moving from NJ to ME
There are many factors that influence
New Jersey moving costs.
The cost to move from New Jersey to Maine will depend on these factors:
- Move size: Moving a large home costs more than moving a studio apartment.
-
Time of year: The peak moving season
in New Jersey is in the summer, so moving companies will likely charge more.
-
DIY vs. professional mover:
DIY moving services are cheaper but you do all the heavy lifting compared to letting the pros handle your move.
What to know before moving from NJ to ME
If you’re moving to Maine from New Jersey, you’ll want to compare what life will be like.
Cost of living: New Jersey vs. Maine
|
New Jersey |
Maine |
| Average rent cost |
$1,368 |
$1,009 |
| Average home cost |
$534,773 |
$401,297 |
| Average income (per capita) |
$97,126 |
$68,251 |
| Cost of Living Index |
114 |
100 |
| Unemployment rate |
4.7% |
2.9% |
| Average Sales Tax |
6.6% |
5.5% |
| State Income Tax |
10.7% |
5.8% |
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Rent is about 26% less expensive in Maine than in New Jersey.
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Home prices are about 25% lower in Maine than in New Jersey.
-
The average income is about 30% lower in Maine than in New Jersey.
-
Cost of living is 12% lower in Maine than in New Jersey.
-
Maine has a lower unemployment rate than New Jersey by about 38%.
-
Sales taxes are 17% lower in Maine than in New Jersey.
-
Income taxes are 46% lower in Maine than in New Jersey.
How life is different in Maine vs. New Jersey
|
Maine |
New Jersey |
| Population |
1,395,722 |
9,290,841 |
| Political leaning |
Democratic 52.6-45.3 |
Democratic 52-46.1 |
| Summer high |
78ºF |
85ºF |
| Winter low |
7ºF |
22ºF |
| Annual rain |
46" |
48" |
| Annual snow |
75" |
23" |
| Crime index |
13.17 |
16.2 |
-
The population of Maine is approximately 85% lower than the population of New Jersey.
-
In the last presidential election, Maine voted Democratic and New Jersey voted Democratic.
-
The average high in the summertime in Maine is 78ºF
and in New Jersey, it’s 85ºF.
-
During the coldest part of the year, Maine reaches the temperature of 7ºF
and New Jersey gets down to 22ºF.
-
You can expect about 46 inches of annual rainfall in Maine versus 48 inches of rainfall in New Jersey.
-
In Maine, it snows about 75 inches annually
versus 23 inches of snow in New Jersey.
-
Maine has a lower crime rate than New Jersey with a crime index
of 13.17 vs. 16.2.
Comparing the pros of New Jersey vs. Maine
Getting a fresh start in a new location is exciting. Here’s a side-by-side look at the perks of living in Maine compared to New Jersey.
| Pros of living in New Jersey |
Pros of living in Maine |
| Bountiful recreational opportunities |
Beautiful outdoors |
| Diversity |
High quality |
| World-class entertainment |
Delicious fresh food |
| Leading education |
Ample economic opportunity |
| Superb health care |
Bountiful recreational opportunities |
Comparing the cons of living in New Jersey vs. Maine
Everything can’t be sunshine and rainbows all the time, no matter where you live.
Here are some things to be aware of when leaving New Jersey for Maine.
| Cons of living in New Jersey |
Cons of living in Maine |
| Extreme weather |
Harsh winter weather |
| Congested population |
High tax burden |
| High cost of living |
Remote |
| High tax burden |
Limited job progression |
| Terrible traffic |
Low diversity |
Other things to consider for your New Jersey to Maine move
- Weather: Maine has a humid continental climate. with warm and sometimes humid summers, and long, cold and very snowy winters. Winters are especially severe in the Northern and Western parts of Maine, while coastal areas are moderated slightly by the Atlantic Ocean, resulting in marginally milder winters and cooler summers than inland regions.
-
HOA rules:
Check ahead with any neighborhood or community rules on moving to ensure a smooth move.
-
Elevator reservation:
One common and important example of something that should be handled ahead of time is reserving the building's elevator
and finding out their rules for using the elevator.
-
Parking permits:
Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles, find out ahead of time with your new local rules.
-
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. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
-
State regulator:
You can verify a Maine moving license
and its status on the state regulator's official website.
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Moving permits:
Maine does not require any moving permits, but it is helpful to check local parking restrictions before moving into the state.
-
Change of address:
We recommend submitting your change of address form with USPS at least a week prior to your move.
You can set an official move date on the form so that all your mail will get properly forwarded to Maine.
Get started here.
-
Mover's insurance:
Interstate moving companies are required under federal law to provide basic insurance — also called “released value protection” — free of charge to all moving customers.
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.
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Moving checklist:
Peace of mind is priceless. Our moving checklist will help you know you’ve got everything covered.
Things to do in Maine
While you’re in Maine, you won’t be bored. These are some of the coolest places to visit in your new home state:
- 1: Marginal Way and Ogunquit Beach
- 2: Acadia National Park
- 3: Mount Desert Island
- 4: Kennebunkport
- 5: Baxter State Park
- 6: Boothbay Harbor
- 7: Old Orchard Beach
- 8: Portland Museum of Art
- 9: Portland Head Light
- 10: Victoria Mansion
- 11: Cape Neddick Nubble Lighthouse
- 12: Pemaquid Point Lighthouse
- 13: Desert of Maine
- 14: Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens
- 15: Monhegan Island
- 16: Maine Maritime Museum
- 17: Farnsworth Art Museum
- 18: West Quoddy Head Lighthouse
- 19: Asticou Azalea Garen
- 20: Seashore Trolley Museum
FAQs
What is the cheapest way to move from New Jersey to Maine?
Do movers transport your car from New Jersey to Maine?
Some full-service movers can coordinate auto transport for you as part of your relocation package for an additional fee.
But you can also handle
vehicle transport from New Jersey to Maine
separately through one of the top car shipping companies.
What are the benefits of moving from New Jersey to Maine?
The main reasons people are moving from New Jersey to Maine are the amazing upsides of living in Maine such as
beautiful outdoors and high quality.
Is it cheaper to live in New Jersey or Maine?
It is generally cheaper to live in Maine than in New Jersey.
Housing
is much more affordable in Maine,
with average rent about 26% less and home prices 25.0% lower than in New Jersey.
Taxes are also lower in Maine, most notably income taxes,
which are more than 40% less than those paid by
New Jersey residents.
How much should you make a year to live comfortably in Maine?
You should make approximately $60,365 as a single adult with no children to live comfortably in Maine.
The cost of living in Maine is approximately $2,226 per month for an individual and $5,563 for a family of four.
The exact amount you’ll need to live comfortably may be more or less depending on where in Maine you live
For example, larger cities like Portland and Lewiston will have higher housing costs than those in smaller towns.
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