($1,526) Movers From Louisville, KY to Portland, ME

What to know before moving from Louisville to Portland

Moving from Louisville to Portland comes with exciting new opportunities — but also higher living costs. Since Portland is generally more expensive than Louisville, it’s important to plan ahead and budget carefully for the change.

Check out how the two cities compare so you know what to expect before you relocate:

• Rent prices in Portland are 59% higher than in Louisville, which means you’ll have less money in your pocket each month.
• In terms of homeownership, you’ll be able to get more for your money in Louisville.
  Home prices in Portland are 123.4% higher than in Louisville.
• Income in Portland is 8.0% lower than in Louisville, 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.
• Be sure to budget for higher bills in Portland, since the cost of living for a single person in Portland is 33.8% higher than in Louisville. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
• If you’re moving your family to Portland, keep in mind that your living expenses could increase. The cost of living for a family in Portland is 33.7% higher than in Louisville.
• The unemployment rate in Portland is 4.00% higher than in Louisville.
• You’ll spend less on retail and restaurants in Portland, since the city’s sales taxes in Portland are 8.33% lower than in Louisville.
• State income taxes in Portland are 45.00% higher than in Louisville.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $4,013.43 in Portland to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Louisville.

How life is different in Louisville vs. Portland

• Portland might offer you a slower pace of life, since the population is about 91% less than Louisville.
• Your access to buses, shuttles, trams, or trains in Portland will be about the same as it currently is in Louisville. The cities share a similar public transportation score, which means their transit systems are comparable in terms of how connected they are, how often they provide service, and how close they are to jobs, housing, retail and food stores, and other important locations.
• Portland neighborhoods and districts might not be as easy to navigate on foot as Louisville. Based on its score of 62 out of 100, Portland isn’t as walkable as Louisville, which has a score of 91 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 Louisville. While Louisville has a bike-friendliness score of 79 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 Louisville based on scores of 32.16 and Louisville's 56.68, 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 Louisville, based on Portland’s safety index of 67.84 versus 43.32 for Louisville. 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 Louisville 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 Louisville 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: Be sure to review your community or HOA guidelines before moving day to avoid any surprises or delays.
• Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator, make sure to find out how to reserve it ahead of your move.
• Truck parking permits: Many cities require special permits for parking large moving trucks. Check in advance to see if one is needed for your move.
• 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.Double-check that the moving company is properly licensed before you hire them.
• State regulator: You can check the status of a Maine moving license through the state's public utilities commission.
• Moving permits: Maine doesn\’t require moving permits, but it\’s still a good idea to check local parking rules before your move-in day.
• Change of address: We suggest filing your USPS change of address form at least one week before your move. You’ll be able to set your official move date, helping ensure your mail is forwarded correctly to Portland. Start the process here.
• Moving company insurance: Each state has its own requirements for the level of insurance moving companies must carry.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: Use our moving checklist to stay on top of every detail and reduce last-minute stress.

Where to live in Portland

Ready to relocate to "Forest City"? Here are some of the top neighborhoods to consider in Portland.

Helpful moving resources