($1,171) Moving From Illinois to Maine

Quick answer: The average cost to move from Illinois to Maine ranges from $880 to $6,423 and takes three-eight days. The top cost factors are how much you’re moving, your move date, and whether you hire a company or do the move yourself.

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  • Family owned
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  • Family owned & operated
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  • Certified crews
  • Flat-rate pricing
  • Family-owned

Hiring a full-service Illinois moving company will be on the more expensive side, while a rental truck or a moving container is usually cheaper but requires more work.

You may also want to consider the potential added cost of getting your vehicle or boat to your new home as part of your move. Some full-service movers can coordinate auto transport for you as part of your relocation package for an additional fee. But you can also handle vehicle transport from Illinois to Maine separately through one of the top car shipping companies.

Moving the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our moving from Maine to Illinois guide.

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The best Illinois to Maine movers

Hiring an interstate moving company from Illinois to Maine 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 Illinois to Maine:

Best Overall Value
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.85 / 5
(855) 650-0657
At A Glance
  • GPS tracking en route
  • Veteran-owned
  • Dedicated move coordinator
  • Flat-rate pricing
  • Donates a portion of moves to charity
read our full review
(855) 650-0657
Best for personalized service
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.9 / 5
(980) 217-6841
At A Glance
  • Family-owned, with locations covering the East Coast
  • Full refund if you cancel within 7 days of your move
  • Hands-on customer service
  • 24/7 support
  • Price-matching policy
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(980) 217-6841
Best for Quick Quotes
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.25 / 5
(844) 794-6004
At A Glance
  • Family owned & operated
  • Affordable pricing
  • Binding estimates
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(844) 794-6004
Best Nationwide Coverage
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.8 / 5
At A Glance
  • 30 days storage included
  • Local and long distance moving options
  • Unlimited loading/unloading time
  • Store on property or at a facility
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Most Experienced Mover
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
(866) 835-2392
At A Glance
  • Experienced & fully trained moving crews
  • Specializes in moving art & antiques
  • Competitive pricing
  • Can handle last-minute moves
  • Climate-controlled storage
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(866) 835-2392

If you’re just trying to ship a few items, here’s a list of our recommended services for small moves.

Looking for local Illinois movers?

Company Quote Rating Contact
STI Moving & Storage Inc. Get A Quote starstarstarstarstar
4.96 overall rating
7400 Niles Center Rd, Skokie, IL, 60077
(847) 675-1223
Alliance Moving & Storage Get A Quote starstarstarstarstar
4.96 overall rating
3201 Tollview Drive, Rolling Meadows, IL, 60008
(847) 378-4949

Visit our Best Movers in Illinois page to see a complete list of moving companies, including hourly rates, services, and reviews.

How much does it cost to move from Illinois to Maine?

The table below lays out average cost ranges to move from Illinois to Maine for different moving services depending on the size of your home.

Move size Moving company Moving container Rental truck
Studio / 1 Bedroom $1,171 - $4,647 $949 - $2,370 $814 - $1,462
2 - 3 bedrooms $2,621 - $6,423 $1,749 - $3,280 $880 - $1,921
4+ bedrooms $4,579 - $8,668 $2,370 - $4,305 $1,063 - $2,254

*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 1,255 miles and historical averages. The actual size of your move, additional services required, truck parking access, market conditions, and availability can greatly affect your final costs.

Factors affecting the cost of moving from IL to ME

There are many factors that influence Illinois moving costs. The cost to move from Illinois to Maine will depend on these factors:

  • Move size: Moving a large home costs more than moving a studio apartment.
  • Time of year: The peak moving season in Illinois is in the summer, so moving companies will likely charge more.
  • DIY vs. professional mover: DIY moving services are cheaper but you do all the heavy lifting compared to letting the pros handle your move.

How much does it cost to hire movers from Illinois to Maine?

Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from Illinois to Maine will cost between $1,171 and $4,647. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home from IL to ME will range from $2,621 to $6,423, and a large move from Illinois to Maine will cost from $4,579 to $8,668.

How much are moving containers like PODS from Illinois to Maine?

Moving containers from Illinois to Maine will cost you $949 to $2,370 for a small move. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $1,749 to $3,280. A four-bedroom move or bigger will cost $2,370 to $4,305. Learn more about PODS cost.

Here are the cheapest moving container companies when moving out of Illinois.

How much is a moving truck from Illinois to Maine?

A moving rental truck is generally the cheapest option, 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 $814 to $1,462. A two to three-bedroom move will cost $880 to $1,921, and moving a home with four or more bedrooms or from Illinois to Maine costs from $1,063 to $2,254.
These estimates include the estimated fuel cost.

Is moving from Illinois to Maine a good idea?

If you’re moving to Maine from Illinois, you’ll want to compare what life will be like.

Cost of living: Illinois vs. Maine

Illinois Maine
Average rent cost $1,038 $873
Average home cost $249,224 $385,019
Average income (per capita) $78,433 $68,251
Cost of Living Index 90 100
Unemployment rate 4.6% 2.8%
Average Sales Tax 8.82% 5.5%
State Income Tax 4.95% 5.8%
  • Rent is about 16% less expensive in Maine than in Illinois.
  • Home prices are about 54% higher in Maine than in Illinois.
  • The average income is about 13% lower in Maine than in Illinois.
  • Cost of living is 11% lower in Maine than in Illinois.
  • Maine has a lower unemployment rate than Illinois by about 39%.
  • Sales taxes are 38% lower in Maine than in Illinois.
  • Income taxes are 17% higher in Maine than in Illinois.

How does life in Maine differ from Illinois?

Maine Illinois
Population 1,385,340 12,582,032
Political leaning Democratic 53-44 Democrat 58-41
Summer high 78ºF 86ºF
Winter low 7ºF 17ºF
Annual rain 46" 40"
Annual snow 75" 22"
Crime index 12.79 18.79
  • The population of Maine is approximately 89% lower than the population of Illinois.
  • In the last presidential election, Maine voted Democratic and Illinois voted Democrat.
  • The average high in the summertime in Maine is 78ºF and in Illinois, it’s 86ºF.
  • During the coldest part of the year, Maine reaches the temperature of 7ºF and Illinois gets down to 17ºF.
  • You can expect about forty-six inches of annual rainfall in Maine versus forty inches of rainfall in Illinois.
  • In Maine, it snows about seventy-five inches annually versus twenty-two inches of snow in Illinois.
  • Maine has a lower crime rate than Illinois with a crime index of 18.79 vs 12.79.

Comparing the pros of Illinois vs. Maine

There are always a lot of reasons to get excited about living somewhere new. These are the best parts of living in Illinois versus Maine side by side.

Pros of living in Illinois Pros of living in Maine
Home of Chicago Beautiful outdoors
Ample economic opportunity High quality
Bountiful recreational opportunities Delicious fresh food
Delicious food Ample economic opportunity
World-class sports culture Bountiful recreational opportunities

Comparing the cons of living in Illinois vs. Maine

Not everything is sunshine and rainbows all the time, no matter where you live. Here are some things to be aware of when leaving Illinois for Maine.

Cons of living in Illinois Cons of living in Maine
Harsh winter weather Harsh winter weather
Bad traffic High tax burden
High crime rate Remote
Dull landscape Limited job progression
Strict laws Low diversity

What to know before your move to Maine

  • Weather: Maine has a humid continental climate. with warm and sometimes humid summers, and long, cold and very snowy winters. Winters are especially severe in the Northern and Western parts of Maine, while coastal areas are moderated slightly by the Atlantic Ocean, resulting in marginally milder winters and cooler summers than inland regions.
  • 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 so that all your mail will get properly forwarded to Maine. Get started here.
  • Mover's Insurance: Interstate moving companies are required under federal law to provide basic insurance — also called “released value protection” — free of charge to all moving customers. 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.

Things to do in Maine

While you’re in Maine, you won’t be bored. These are some of the coolest places to visit in your new home state:

  • 1: Marginal Way and Ogunquit Beach
  • 2: Acadia National Park
  • 3: Mount Desert Island
  • 4: Kennebunkport
  • 5: Baxter State Park
  • 6: Boothbay Harbor
  • 7: Old Orchard Beach
  • 8: Portland Museum of Art
  • 9: Portland Head Light
  • 10: Victoria Mansion
  • 11: Cape Neddick Nubble Lighthouse
  • 12: Pemaquid Point Lighthouse
  • 13: Desert of Maine
  • 14: Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens
  • 15: Monhegan Island
  • 16: Maine Maritime Museum
  • 17: Farnsworth Art Museum
  • 18: West Quoddy Head Lighthouse
  • 19: Asticou Azalea Garen
  • 20: Seashore Trolley Museum

FAQs

What is the cheapest way to move from Illinois to Maine?

The cheapest way to move from Illinois to Maine is with a DIY move. Here’s our guide for the cheapest way to move out of state.

What are the benefits of moving from Illinois to Maine?

The main reasons people are moving from Illinois to Maine are the amazing upsides of living in Maine such as beautiful outdoors and high quality.

Is it cheaper to live in Illinois or Maine?

It is generally cheaper to live in Illinois than in Maine. Housing is much more affordable in Illinois, with average rent about 19% less and home prices 35% lower than in Maine. Taxes are also lower in Illinois, most notably income taxes, which are more than 10% less than those paid by Maine residents.

How much should you make a year to live comfortably in Maine?

You should make approximately $0 as a single adult with no children to live comfortably in Arizona. The cost of living in Arizona is approximately $0 per month for an individual and $0 for a family of four. The exact amount you’ll need to live comfortably may be more or less depending on where in Maine you live For example, larger cities like Auburn and Augusta will have higher housing costs than those in smaller towns.

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