Madison, WI to Portland, ME Movers (NEW 2026 Costs)
Quick answer: Moving from Madison to Portland typically costs $3,200–$7,200 with full-service movers for a 2–3 bedroom home (about 1,236 miles). Use our moving cost calculator below to get an instant estimate.
|
|
|
 rating
4.2 / 5
Licensed
Insured
Price
|
Cost to move from Madison to Portland
Moving from Madison, WI to Portland, ME typically costs $3,200–$7,200 with full-service movers for a 2–3 bedroom home.
The price ranges below are estimates for a 1,236-mile move from Madison to Portland, based on moveBuddha pricing data as of Mar 16, 2026. Pricing is updated monthly to reflect seasonality and market changes.
Studio / 1 bedroom
|
2-3 bedrooms
|
4+ bedrooms
|
Recent moving quotes for similar moves
- Colonial Van Lines recently quoted $5,110 for a 4 bedroom using professional movers.
- Safeway Moving recently quoted $4,026 for a 2 bedroom using professional movers.
- 1-800-Pack-Rat recently quoted $2,331 for a 3 bedroom using a moving container.
4 Bedrooms
Feb 18, 2026
2 Bedrooms
Feb 17, 2026
3 Bedrooms
Feb 13, 2026
4 Bedrooms
Jan 23, 2026
1 Bedroom (large)
Jan 13, 2026
4 Bedrooms
Jan 13, 2026
5+ Bedrooms
Jan 10, 2026
1 Bedroom (large)
Dec 26, 2025
4 Bedrooms
Dec 17, 2025
4 Bedrooms
Dec 16, 2025
Factors that affect moving costs from Madison to Portland
Your total cost will depend on:
- How much stuff you have: A one-bedroom move from Madison to Portland may only cost $2,400, whereas a full four-bedroom relocation can approach $10,100.
- The season you're moving in: Movers charge more in summer, the busiest months in Madison.
- Which type of mover you use: Save with a truck rental ($900–$2,400), but expect more hassle than hiring pros.
Moving the opposite route? We got you covered with our moving from Portland, ME to Madison, WI guide.
Best Madison to Portland movers by type
Professional
|
Local
|
Container
|
Rental Truck
|
Labor Only
|
Best professional movers from Madison to Portland
Choosing a full-service mover is ideal when you prefer experts to oversee your interstate move from Madison to Portland. These companies handle all the details, allowing you to dedicate your energy to your next steps.
Want a deeper breakdown of the top long-distance movers? See our best interstate movers guide.
- Safeway Moving: 4.9 out of 5 stars
- American Van Lines: 4.9 out of 5 stars
- Allied Van Lines: 4.2 out of 5 stars
- Mayzlin Relocation: 4.8 out of 5 stars
- North American Van Lines: 4.8 out of 5 stars
Best overall value
How we chose the best WI→ME movers
moveBuddha's dedicated analysts have scrutinized moving rates across 39 Wisconsin moving firms, selecting the top providers by assessing customer approval, reviews, and affordability.
- Customer satisfaction (40%): The team ensures timely service delivery, engages in effective communication, and adheres to the projected costs.
- Dispute resolution (20%): Moving isn’t perfect, and mistakes will happen. We highlight movers that handle those situations honestly and put effort into resolving them fairly.
- Industry reputation (15%): The company is well-regarded within the moving industry and participates in industry conferences and organizations.
- Online reputation (15%): This mover keeps its website up to date and provides timely, professional replies to questions or concerns raised online.
- Service options (10%): Companies stand out when they provide comprehensive options such as full-service packing, safe storage, handling of specialty items, and expedited shipping.
Here is our full moving company rating methodology.
What to know before moving from Madison to Portland
Expect a bump in monthly expenses after the move - Portland runs about 9% higher for singles and 11% higher for families than Madison.
Singles spend around $2,491 in Portland versus $2,292 in Madison; families pay $6,060 compared with $5,457.
Dig into the side-by-side details here:
| Madison | Portland | |
|---|---|---|
| Average 1 BR rent | $1,693 | $1,925 |
| Average 3 BR rent | $3,100 | $3,500 |
| Average home value | $367,934 | $542,001 |
| Average income (per capita) | $62,919 | $64,171 |
| Cost of living (single) | $2,292 | $2,491 |
| Cost of living (family of four) | $5,457 | $6,060 |
| Unemployment rate | 3.3% | 5.2% |
| Sales tax | 5.5% | 5.5% |
| State income tax | 7.65% | 5.8% |
- Rent is about 24% more expensive in Portland than in Madison. Make sure to include this increase in your monthly budget.
- Plan for a heftier mortgage payment since home prices are approximately 47% steeper in Portland compared to Madison.
- There's good news: the average income differences between Portland and Madison are within a modest 5%, minimizing financial adjustments.
- Prepare for elevated costs in Portland, with the cost of living for a single person being 9% more than in Madison. This includes routine costs such as utilities, groceries, clothes, and transportation.
- When considering a family move to Portland, prepare for a potential rise in household expenses. The cost of living for a family here is 11% higher than in Madison.
- Portland has a higher unemployment rate than Madison by about 58%. This means that more people are out of work, so employers may have a larger pool of candidates to choose from, which can lead to a more competitive hiring process.
- Sales taxes are nearly equal in both Portland and Madison (within a 5% range), so budgeting should not be affected by this change.
- Income taxes are 24% less in Maine compared to Wisconsin, offering a relief on your paycheck, which can enhance your budgeting options.
Here’s the side-by-side view of common monthly bills and day-to-day expenses in Madison versus Portland:
| Living Expense | Madison | Portland |
|---|---|---|
| Basic utilities | $215.88 | $203.15 |
| Cell phone plan | $50.44 | $54.88 |
| Dozen eggs | $4.04 | $4.26 |
| Loaf of bread | $3.75 | $3.62 |
| Fast-food/casual eatery (one meal) | $15.00 | $25.00 |
| Dinner for 2 (mid-range restaurant) | $77.50 | $120.00 |
| Gym membership | $64.29 | $65.00 |
- Basic utilities tend to be more expensive in Madison than in Portland.
- Cell phone plans are cheaper in Madison than in Portland.
- Eggs are less expensive in Madison than in Portland.
- Bread is more expensive in Madison than in Portland.
- A quick meal is cheaper in Madison than in Portland.
- A mid-range dinner for two costs less in Madison than in Portland.
- Gym memberships are more affordable in Madison than in Portland.
How life is different in Madison vs. Portland
| Madison | Portland | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 269,840 | 68,408 |
| Transportation score | 6 | 6 |
| Walkability score | 50 | 62 |
| Bike friendliness score | 66 | 68 |
| Crime index | 34.57 | 32.16 |
| Safety index | 65.43 | 67.84 |
| Air quality | Good | Good |
- Portland's population is about 75% less than Madison.
- Portland's public transportation score is within about 5% of Madison, making them very similar.
- Portland is more walkable than Madison with a score of 62 out of 100 vs Madison's 50 out of 100.
- Both Portland and Madison have similar bike-friendliness scores (66 vs 68), meaning Portland is about as safe for cyclists as Madison. Typically, cities with scores of 20 or higher are seen as reasonably safe, though higher scores mean better cycling accessibility.
- Portland's crime rate is lower than Madison with a score of 32.16 compared to Madison's 34.57. This means that Portland neighborhoods are safer than 32.16% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Madison neighborhoods are safer than 34.57%.
- Portland and Madison have a similar safety level, with scores of 67.84 and 65.43.
- Air quality in Portland is Good, and in Madison it's Good.
Other things to consider for your Madison to Portland move
- HOA rules: Plan time to look into your HOA or community rules and regulations before moving day arrives, to avoid any delays.
- Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator you'll want to check on how to reserve it for move day.
- Truck parking permits: Many cities require special permits for parking large moving trucks. Check in advance to see if one is needed for your move.
- 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: To confirm a moving company's license in Maine, visit the state's public utilities commission.
- Moving Permits: Moving permits aren’t typically required in Maine, but always confirm with local authorities to avoid surprises.
- Change of address: You can set an official move date on the form and this way all of your mail will get properly forwarded to Portland. Get started here.
- Moving company insurance: Each state has its own requirements for the level of insurance moving companies must carry. 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
With your sights set on The Forest City, these are some of the most popular neighborhoods to consider in Portland.
Best neighborhoods for singles
- East End
- West End
- West Bayside
- Parkside
- Downtown
- Oakdale
- Back Cove
- Valley Street
Best neighborhoods for families
- Deering Center
- East End
- Rosemont
- West End
- Valley Street
- North Deering
- Back Cove
- East Deering
- Oakdale
Things to do in Portland
With your move to Maine complete, you can dive right into experiencing Portland. From cultural attractions to outdoor adventures, you'll never run out of things to do:
- Arts and culture: Portland is home to museums and cultural arts centers like the Portland Museum of Art, Victoria Mansion, 5th Maine Museum, and The Wadsworth-Longfellow House.
- Outdoor recreation: The city's Eastern Promenade Trail, Back Cove Trail, Deering Oaks Park, and Quarry Run Dog Park — among other spots — perfect for hiking, biking, or simply soaking up the outdoors.
- Sports: Experience the energy of a live game and back the home team at an Maine Celtics (G League)Maine Mariners (ECHL) game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Madison to Portland?
If you're flexible with timing, spring and fall are great seasons to move from Madison to Portland. You'll dodge the heat, the crowds, and the higher moving costs typical of peak season in Madison.
When is the cheapest time to move from Madison to Portland?
Want to save on your move from Madison to Portland? Consider scheduling it in winter, when demand is lower and rates are often cheaper. Our moving discounts guide shows you how.
How long does a move from Madison to Portland take?
The 1,236-mile move from Madison, WI, to Portland, ME, takes two to eight days. Some Madison movers may offer expedited moving if you need it faster. If you need more time, ask your mover about storage options in Portland.
Need help moving a piano or antiques in Madison?
These delicate items require movers with specialized training. Currently, 3 movers in Madison provide piano moving services. 1 can transport antiques with care. Statewide, there are 25 piano movers and 13 antique movers, with nationwide counts at 2,296 and 1,463.
Demand for these services can be high, so schedule your specialty move as far ahead as possible.
