($1,338) Movers From Charleston, SC to Portland, ME

What to know before moving from Charleston to Portland

Moving from Charleston to Portland means adjusting to a different pace of life — and a different price tag. On average, it costs significantly more to live in Charleston than in Portland, making the move an opportunity for many to enjoy a lower cost of living.

Check out how Charleston compares to Portland so you know what to expect before you relocate:

• Rent prices in Portland are 20% lower than in Charleston, which means you’ll have more 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 3.1% lower than in Charleston.
• Income in Portland is 3.0% higher than in Charleston, 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.
• The cost of living for a single person in Portland is 53.0% lower than in Charleston. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
• The cost of living for a family in Portland is 23.2% lower than in Charleston.
• The unemployment rate in Portland is 30.00% higher than in Charleston.
• You’ll spend less on retail and restaurants in Portland, since the city’s sales taxes in Portland are 38.89% lower than in Charleston.
• One perk of moving to Portland is paying less in state income taxes, which are 17.14% lower than in Charleston.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $1,410.00 in Portland to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Charleston.

How life is different in Charleston vs. Portland

• Portland might offer you a slower pace of life, since the population is about 54% less than Charleston.
• Portland offers better access to buses and trains than Charleston, based on public transportation ratings. Portland has a transit score of 6 out of 10 compared to 3 in Charleston. 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 Charleston. Portland is considered more walkable than Charleston, with a score of 62 out of 100 versus 40 out of 100 in Charleston. 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 Charleston 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 Charleston is rated as 50 out of 100.
• Portland has a lower crime rate than Charleston based on scores of 32.16 and Charleston's 44.97, 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 Charleston, based on Portland’s safety index of 67.84 versus 55.03 for Charleston. 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 Charleston 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 Charleston 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: It’s a good idea to look into your HOA or community regulations before moving day arrives.
• Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator, it’s a good idea to secure a reservation before your moving day.
• Truck parking permits: To avoid fines or delays, check whether a parking permit is needed for your moving truck.
• 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. Before booking, ensure the moving company is officially licensed to handle your move.
• State regulator: To confirm a moving company’s license in Maine, visit the state's public utilities commission
• Moving permits: While Maine doesn’t mandate moving permits, checking local parking guidelines before your move-in day is still a good idea.
• Change of address: We recommend submitting your USPS change of address form at least one week before your move to ensure your mail gets forwarded to Portland without delay. You can select your official move date when completing the form. Start the process here.
• Moving company insurance: Every state sets its own rules for what insurance moving companies need to maintain. 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: Our moving checklist gives you the peace of mind that comes with being fully prepared.

Where to live in Portland

With your sights set on "Forest City", these are some of the most popular neighborhoods to consider in Portland.

Helpful moving resources