($1,766) Movers From Los Angeles, CA to Portland, ME

What to know before moving from Los Angeles to Portland

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

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

• Rent prices in Portland are 33% lower than in Los Angeles, 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 77.1% lower than in Los Angeles.
• Income in Portland is 14.4% lower than in Los Angeles, 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 36.5% lower than in Los Angeles. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
• The cost of living for a family in Portland is 34.2% lower than in Los Angeles.
• The unemployment rate in Portland is 50.94% lower than in Los Angeles.
• You’ll spend less on retail and restaurants in Portland, since the city’s sales taxes in Portland are 42.11% lower than in Los Angeles.
• One perk of moving to Portland is paying less in state income taxes, which are 56.39% lower than in Los Angeles.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $1,905.41 in Portland to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Los Angeles.

How life is different in Los Angeles vs. Portland

• Portland might offer you a slower pace of life, since the population is about 98% less than Los Angeles.
• Getting around Portland without a car might be more difficult than in Los Angeles. Portland has a public transportation score of 6 out of 10, whereas Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles. Based on its score of 62 out of 100, Portland isn’t as walkable as Los Angeles, which has a score of 69 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.
• If cycling is your thing, Portland is considered more bike-friendly than Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles is rated as 59 out of 100.
• Portland has a lower crime rate than Los Angeles based on scores of 32.16 and Los Angeles's 53.81, 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 Los Angeles, based on Portland’s safety index of 67.84 versus 46.19 for Los Angeles. With this index, higher scores indicate more safety, particularly around how comfortable residents feel walking alone during the day and at night.
• You can breathe easy knowing that Portland has better air quality than in Los Angeles. Portland has Good air quality, compared to moderate in Los Angeles. Ratings of good to moderate mean very low risk of health concerns, although people with conditions like asthma or allergies could be affected. Beyond the moderate rating, health concerns increase for some or all residents.

Other things to consider for your Los Angeles 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: Check ahead with any neighborhood or community rules on moving to ensure a smooth move.
• Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator you'll want to check on how to reserve it for move day.
• Truck parking permits: Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles and moving trucks. Find out if you need any parking permits ahead of time.
• 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 through the state's public utilities commission.
• 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 Portland. Get started here.
• Moving company insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of 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: Our moving checklist will help you have the peace of mind that you've got everything covered.

Where to live in Portland

Now that you've decided to make the move to "Forest City", these are the best neighborhoods to move to in Portland.

Helpful moving resources