($1,749) Movers From Oakland, CA to Portland, ME

What to know before moving from Oakland to Portland

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

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

• Rent prices in Portland are 10% lower than in Oakland, 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 26.4% lower than in Oakland.
• Income in Portland is 32.0% lower than in Oakland, 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 20.8% lower than in Oakland. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
• The cost of living for a family in Portland is 29.4% lower than in Oakland.
• The unemployment rate in Portland is 15.56% higher than in Oakland.
• You’ll spend less on retail and restaurants in Portland, since the city’s sales taxes in Portland are 46.34% lower than in Oakland.
• One perk of moving to Portland is paying less in state income taxes, which are 56.39% lower than in Oakland.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $2,375.40 in Portland to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Oakland.

How life is different in Oakland vs. Portland

• Portland might offer you a slower pace of life, since the population is about 84% less than Oakland.
• Getting around Portland without a car might be more difficult than in Oakland. Portland has a public transportation score of 6 out of 10, whereas Oakland 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 Oakland. Based on its score of 62 out of 100, Portland isn’t as walkable as Oakland, which has a score of 75 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 Oakland are similarly bike-friendly based on their comparable ratings of 68 and 65 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 Oakland based on scores of 32.16 and Oakland's 68.62, 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 Oakland, based on Portland’s safety index of 67.84 versus 31.38 for Oakland. 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 Oakland 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 Oakland 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