($1,393) Movers From Cape Coral, FL to Portland, ME

What to know before moving from Cape Coral to Portland

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

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

• Rent prices in Portland are 6% lower than in Cape Coral, 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 Cape Coral.
  Home prices in Portland are 48.9% higher than in Cape Coral.
• Income in Portland is 1.7% lower than in Cape Coral, 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 41.2% lower than in Cape Coral. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
• The cost of living for a family is the same in Portland and Cape Coral.
• The unemployment rate in Portland is 13.04% higher than in Cape Coral.
• You’ll spend less on retail and restaurants in Portland, since the city’s sales taxes in Portland are 15.38% lower than in Cape Coral.
• State income taxes in Portland are 5.80% higher than in Cape Coral.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $1,765.41 in Portland to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Cape Coral.

How life is different in Cape Coral vs. Portland

• Portland might offer you a slower pace of life, since the population is about 68% less than Cape Coral.
• Portland offers better access to buses and trains than Cape Coral, based on public transportation ratings. Portland has a transit score of 6 out of 10 compared to 2 in Cape Coral. The higher the score, the more public transportation pickup and dropoff locations a city provides.
• Living in Portland means you’ll likely be within closer walking distance to restaurants, shops, parks, and entertainment than you are in Cape Coral. Portland is considered more walkable than Cape Coral, with a score of 62 out of 100 versus 17 out of 100 in Cape Coral. A city’s walkability score indicates how pedestrian-friendly it is in terms of proximity of neighborhoods to amenities.
• If cycling is your thing, Portland is considered more bike-friendly than Cape Coral 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 Cape Coral is rated as 37 out of 100.
• The crime rate in Portland is higher than in Cape Coral, so you may want to exercise a little extra caution as you're acclimating to your new location. While the crime index is 32.16 in Portland, it is 19.41 in Cape Coral. With this index, the lower the score, the better, since it indicates a city’s crime levels.
• You may want to exercise more caution as you’re getting used to your new surroundings in Portland. With a crime index of 67.84, Portland ranks lower in overall safety than Cape Coral, whose index is Cape Coral's 80.59. The safety index measures how safe people in a city feel about walking alone, both during the day and at night, as well as data on muggings, theft, vandalism, and other instances of petty crime.
• The air quality in Portland and Cape Coral 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 Cape Coral 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