($1,448) Movers From California to Portland
Quick answer: The cost to move from California to Portland, ME averages from $1,928 to $8,407 depending on how much you’re moving, your move date, and whether you hire a company or do the move yourself.
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Hiring a professional California moving company will be on the more expensive side, while renting a truck or a moving container is usually cheaper but requires more work.
Moving the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our moving from Portland, ME to California guide.
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Moving from California to Portland, ME resources
In this article, we’ll lay out everything you need to know for your upcoming move from California to Portland, ME.
But first, here are a few resources if you need immediate answers:
- Best California to Portland, ME movers: If you plan on hiring a moving company be sure to check out our list of the top movers from California to Portland, ME.
- How much will your move cost?: Want to narrow down how much your move will cost? Use our moving cost calculator to get more specific price ranges and recommendations on the best companies to use for your move.
- Consider moving containers: Need a more budget-friendly option? With these companies, you load and they drive! These are the best moving container companies.
- California to Portland, ME car shippers: Moving your car? Use an experienced company that prioritizes professionalism and cares for your vehicle.
Moving 3,206 miles is no joke. Here's what you need to know.
The best California to Portland, ME moving companies
Hiring an interstate moving company from California to Portland is a big deal.
There are more than 8,000 moving companies in the U.S. But don’t worry, you won’t have to filter through all of them. We’ve done the research for you and narrowed the list based on customer satisfaction, cost, and services.
Here are the best long-distance moving companies serving California to Portland.
- Safeway Moving: Best overall value
- Mayzlin Relocation: Best for personalized service
- BLVD Moving: Best for quick quotes
- PODS: Best nationwide coverage
- American Van Lines: Most experienced mover
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If you’re just trying to ship a few items, here our our recommended services for small moves.
What is the average cost to move from California to Portland, ME?
The table below lays out average cost ranges to move from California to Portland for different moving services depending on the size of your home.
| Size of the Move | Moving Company | Moving Container | Rental Truck |
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| Studio / 1 Bedroom | $1,448 - $6,104 | $1,445 - $3,835 | $1,780 - $3,389 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $4,320 - $8,407 | $2,804 - $5,596 | $1,928 - $3,761 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $8,626 - $13,576 | $3,652 - $7,419 | $2,368 - $5,051 |
*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 3,206 miles and historical averages. The actual size of your move, additional services required, truck parking access, market conditions, and availability can greatly affect the final cost of your move.
The cost to move from California to Portland, ME will depend on:
- Move size: The amount of items you have — as well as your home size and layout — will impact the total cost of your relocation.
- Time of year: Summer is peak moving season in California, so moving companies will likely charge more.
- DIY vs. professional mover: DIY moving services are usually cheaper but involve more work and stress compared to letting the pros handle your move.
How much does it cost to hire professional movers from California to Portland?
Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from California to Portland will cost between $1,448 to $6,104. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home from California to Portland will range from $4,320 to $8,407, and a large move from California to Portland will cost from $8,626 to $13,576.
How much are moving containers like PODS from California to Portland?
Moving containers from California to Portland will cost you $1,445 to $3,835 for a small move. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $2,804 to $5,596. A four-bedroom move or bigger will cost $3,652 to $7,419.
Here are the cheapest moving containers for your move to Portland.
How much is a moving truck from California to Portland?
A moving rental truck is generally the cheapest option for moving from California to Portland, but it requires you to do all of the driving and labor.
Moving a studio or one-bedroom apartment in a rental truck will cost around $1,780 to $3,389. A larger move will cost $1,928 to $3,761, and a four-bedroom or more move from California to Portland costs from $2,368 to $5,051. These estimates include the estimated fuel cost.
Here are the cheapest rental truck companies for your move from California.
Is moving from California to Portland, ME a good idea?
Cost of living: California vs Portland, ME
| California | Portland | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $1,586 | $2,190 |
| Average home value | $746,055 | $522,252 |
| Average income (per capita) | $91,905 | $62,646 |
| Unemployment rate | 5% | 5% |
| State income tax | 13% | 6% |
Portland sources: Zumper, Zillow, Numbeo
- Rent is about 38% more expensive in Portland than in California.
- Home prices are about 30% lower in Portland than in California.
- The average income is about 32% lower in Portland than in California.
- Portland has a higher unemployment rate than California by about 8%.
- Income taxes are 56% lower in Portland than in California.
How is life different in Portland from California?
| Portland | California | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 68,408 | 39,029,342 |
| Political leaning | Democratic 67-31 | Democratic 63-34 |
| Summer high | 79ºF | 87ºF |
| Winter low | 11ºF | 59ºF |
| Annual rain | 49" | 22" |
| Annual snow | 61" | 7" |
| Crime index | 19.79 | 27.88 |
Portland sources: Wikipedia, AllTransit, Walk Score, NeighborhoodScout, AirNow
- The population of Portland is approximately 100% lower than the population of California.
- In the last presidential election, Portland voted Democratic and California voted Democratic.
- The average high in the summertime in Portland is 79ºF and in California, it’s 87ºF.
- During the coldest part of the year, Portland reaches the temperature of 11ºF and California gets down to 59ºF.
- You can expect about 49 inches of annual rainfall in Portland vs 22 inches of rainfall in California.
- In Portland, it snows about 61 inches annually vs 7 inches of snow in California.
- Portland has a lower crime rate than California with a crime index of 27.88 vs 19.79.
Considerations for moving to Portland, ME
- Weather: August, July and June are the most pleasant months in Portland, while January and February are the least comfortable months.
- 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.
- 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 and this way all of your mail will get properly forwarded to Maine. Get started here.
- Mover's insurance: Every state has their own requirements when it comes to insurance. 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: Peace of mind is priceless. Our moving checklist will help you know you’ve got everything covered.
Looking for local California movers?
| Company | Quote | Rating | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
most popular
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Get A Quote |
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4744 North El Capitan Avenue, Fresno, CA, 93722 (559) 785-0316 |
| Grace Moving Company | Get A Quote |
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800 Janopaul Lane, Modesto, CA, 95351 (209) 551-7772 |
| Two Men and a Truck | Get A Quote |
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3851 Morrow Ln Ste 9, Chico, CA, 95928 (530) 592-0093 |
Visit our best movers in California page to see a complete list of moving companies, including hourly rates, services, and reviews.
Need a local Portland mover?
| Company | Quote | Rating | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
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most popular
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Get A Quote |
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422 1/2 Fore St Suite #1, Portland, ME, 04101 (207) 890-7475 |
| Two Men and a Truck | Get A Quote |
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24 Bridgton Road, Westbrook, ME, 04092 (207) 536-3452 |
| Bisson Moving & Storage | Get A Quote |
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85 Eisenhower Drive, Westbrook, ME, 04092 (207) 591-1000 |
Visit our best movers in Portland page to see a complete list of moving companies, including hourly rates, services, and reviews.
What to do in Portland?
Whether you’re looking for parks, museums, sports, or even universities, you’ll be happy to find a plethora of these in Portland.
Museums in Portland
- Portland Museum of Art
- Victoria Mansion
- 5th Maine Museum
- The Wadsworth-Longfellow House
- Richard Boyd Art Gallery
- Maine Jewish Museum
- Children's Museum and Theatre of Maine
- Tate House Museum
- International Cryptozoology Museum
- Portland Fire Museum
- Southworth Planetarium
Parks in Portland
- Eastern Promenade Trail
- Back Cove Trail
- Deering Oaks Park
- Quarry Run Dog Park
- Western Promenade Park
- Casco Bay
- Fore River Sanctuary
- Post Office Park
- Mayor Baxter Woods Park
Sports Teams in Portland
- Maine Celtics (G League)
- Maine Mariners (ECHL)
Universities in Portland
- University of Southern Maine
- Maine College of Art
FAQs
How far in advance should I book movers when moving from California to Portland?
Because of the 3206-mile move, it’s best to book your move from California to Portland as soon as you have your moving details. Ideally, you’d book your move two to three months ahead of time.
What time of year is the cheapest to move to Portland, ME?
With the summer highs of 79ºF and the winter lows of 11ºF, most people move to Portland from California during the spring and fall months. To avoid competing during those busy seasons, you could save some money by booking your move to Portland during summer or winter.
Where can I find a list of long-distance moving companies from Portland?
Check out our full breakdown of the best long-distance movers in Portland.
