($1,714) Movers From San Francisco, CA to Portland, ME

What to know before moving from San Francisco to Portland

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

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

• Rent prices in Portland are 39% lower than in San Francisco, 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 56.3% lower than in San Francisco.
• Income in Portland is 53.1% lower than in San Francisco, 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 34.1% lower than in San Francisco. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
• The cost of living for a family in Portland is 30.5% lower than in San Francisco.
• The unemployment rate in Portland is 3.70% lower than in San Francisco.
• You’ll spend less on retail and restaurants in Portland, since the city’s sales taxes in Portland are 36.27% lower than in San Francisco.
• One perk of moving to Portland is paying less in state income taxes, which are 56.39% lower than in San Francisco.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $1,976.46 in Portland to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in San Francisco.

How life is different in San Francisco vs. Portland

• Portland might offer you a slower pace of life, since the population is about 92% less than San Francisco.
• Getting around Portland without a car might be more difficult than in San Francisco. Portland has a public transportation score of 6 out of 10, whereas San Francisco is ranked 10. 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 San Francisco. Based on its score of 62 out of 100, Portland isn’t as walkable as San Francisco, which has a score of 99 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.
• You probably won’t see as many cycling lanes or off-road trails in Portland, which is ranked as less bike-friendly than San Francisco. While San Francisco has a bike-friendliness score of 99 out of 100, Portland earned a 68. Scores are based on factors like whether a city accommodates cyclists on major roadways, how often people bike to work, and how many steep hills it has.
• Portland has a lower crime rate than San Francisco based on scores of 32.16 and San Francisco's 61.41, 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 San Francisco, based on Portland’s safety index of 67.84 versus 38.59 for San Francisco. 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 San Francisco. Portland has Good air quality, compared to moderate in San Francisco. 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 San Francisco 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