($1,992) Movers From Seattle, WA to Portland, ME

What to know before moving from Seattle to Portland

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

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

• Rent prices are the same in Portland and Seattle.
• In terms of homeownership, you’ll be able to get more for your money in Portland.
  Home prices in Portland are 35.6% lower than in Seattle.
• Income in Portland is 17.6% lower than in Seattle, 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.
• The cost of living for a single person in Portland is 33.4% lower than in Seattle. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
• The cost of living for a family in Portland is 38.2% lower than in Seattle.
• The unemployment rate in Portland is 8.33% higher than in Seattle.
• You’ll spend less on retail and restaurants in Portland, since the city’s sales taxes in Portland are 46.86% lower than in Seattle.
• State income taxes in Portland are 5.80% higher than in Seattle.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $1,998.13 in Portland to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Seattle.

How life is different in Seattle vs. Portland

• Portland might offer you a slower pace of life, since the population is about 91% less than Seattle.
• Getting around Portland without a car might be more difficult than in Seattle. Portland has a public transportation score of 6 out of 10, whereas Seattle is ranked 8. Ratings are based on a city’s transit connectivity, service frequency, and accessibility to key destinations like jobs and grocery stores.
• Portland neighborhoods and districts might not be as easy to navigate on foot as Seattle. Based on its score of 62 out of 100, Portland isn’t as walkable as Seattle, which has a score of 74 out of 100. The higher the walkability score a city has, the easier it is to access amenities. The most walkable cities also tend to be more densely populated and have shorter block lengths.
• Portland and Seattle are similarly bike-friendly based on their comparable ratings of 68 and 71 respectively. Bike-friendliness scores between 50 and 100 indicate varying levels of infrastructure to support cyclists, including bike lanes and roadway connectivity. Cities with scores under 50 are considered more car-dependent.
• Portland has a lower crime rate than Seattle based on scores of 32.16 and Seattle's 58.88, 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 Seattle, based on Portland’s safety index of 67.84 versus 49.23 for Seattle. 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 Seattle 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 Seattle 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