Factors affecting the cost of moving from RI to ME
There are many factors that influence
Rhode Island moving costs.
The cost to move from Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island 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 RI to ME
If you’re moving to Maine from Rhode Island, you’ll want to compare what life will be like.
Cost of living: Rhode Island vs. Maine
|
Rhode Island |
Maine |
| Average rent cost |
$1,195 |
$1,009 |
| Average home cost |
$467,485 |
$401,297 |
| Average income (per capita) |
$81,370 |
$68,251 |
| Cost of Living Index |
100 |
100 |
| Unemployment rate |
4.6% |
2.9% |
| Average Sales Tax |
7.0% |
5.5% |
| State Income Tax |
5.99% |
5.8% |
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Rent is about 16% less expensive in Maine than in Rhode Island.
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Home prices are about 14% lower in Maine than in Rhode Island.
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The average income is about 16% lower in Maine than in Rhode Island.
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Cost of living is about the same in Maine and Rhode Island.
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Maine has a lower unemployment rate than Rhode Island by about 37%.
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Sales taxes are 21% lower in Maine than in Rhode Island.
-
Income taxes are 3% lower in Maine than in Rhode Island.
How life is different in Maine vs. Rhode Island
|
Maine |
Rhode Island |
| Population |
1,395,722 |
1,093,734 |
| Political leaning |
Democratic 52.6-45.3 |
Democratic 56-44 |
| Summer high |
78ºF |
82ºF |
| Winter low |
7ºF |
19ºF |
| Annual rain |
46" |
50" |
| Annual snow |
75" |
35" |
| Crime index |
13.17 |
14.58 |
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The population of Maine is approximately 28% greater than the population of Rhode Island.
-
In the last presidential election, Maine voted Democratic and Rhode Island voted Democratic.
-
The average high in the summertime in Maine is 78ºF
and in Rhode Island, it’s 82ºF.
-
During the coldest part of the year, Maine reaches the temperature of 7ºF
and Rhode Island gets down to 19ºF.
-
You can expect about 46 inches of annual rainfall in Maine versus 50 inches of rainfall in Rhode Island.
-
In Maine, it snows about 75 inches annually
versus 35 inches of snow in Rhode Island.
-
Maine has a lower crime rate than Rhode Island with a crime index
of 13.17 vs. 14.58.
Comparing the pros of Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island.
| Pros of living in Rhode Island |
Pros of living in Maine |
| Beautiful landscapes |
Beautiful outdoors |
| Delicious seafood |
High quality |
| Rich history |
Delicious fresh food |
| Amazing beaches |
Ample economic opportunity |
| Short drives |
Bountiful recreational opportunities |
Comparing the cons of living in Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island for Maine.
| Cons of living in Rhode Island |
Cons of living in Maine |
| High cost of living |
Harsh winter weather |
| Heavy traffic and lousy drivers |
High tax burden |
| Smallest state |
Remote |
| Cold winters |
Limited job progression |
| Dense population |
Low diversity |
Other things to consider for your Rhode Island 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.
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HOA rules:
Check ahead with any neighborhood or community rules on moving to ensure a smooth move.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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 Rhode Island to Maine?
Do movers transport your car from Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island to Maine
separately through one of the top car shipping companies.
What are the benefits of moving from Rhode Island to Maine?
The main reasons people are moving from Rhode Island to Maine are the amazing upsides of living in Maine such as
beautiful outdoors and high quality.
Is it cheaper to live in Rhode Island or Maine?
It is generally cheaper to live in Maine than in Rhode Island.
While the overall cost of living is similar for both states, housing
is more affordable in Maine,
with average rent about 16% less and home prices 14.2% lower than in Rhode Island.
Taxes are also lower in Maine, most notably income taxes,
which are more than 3% less than those paid by
Rhode Island 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.
Helpful moving resources
Rhode Island moving services
Popular Rhode Island routes
Best overall value
