($1,434) Movers From New Orleans, LA to Portland, ME

What to know before moving from New Orleans to Portland

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

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

• Rent prices in Portland are 13% higher than in New Orleans, 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 New Orleans.
  Home prices in Portland are 134.0% higher than in New Orleans.
• Income in Portland is 25.5% higher than in New Orleans, so you could earn more 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 20.5% lower than in New Orleans. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
• The cost of living for a family in Portland is 23.3% lower than in New Orleans.
• The unemployment rate in Portland is 52.73% lower than in New Orleans.
• You’ll spend less on retail and restaurants in Portland, since the city’s sales taxes in Portland are 45.00% lower than in New Orleans.
• State income taxes in Portland are 36.47% higher than in New Orleans.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $2,384.49 in Portland to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in New Orleans.

How life is different in New Orleans vs. Portland

• Portland might offer you a slower pace of life, since the population is about 82% less than New Orleans.
• Getting around Portland without a car might be more difficult than in New Orleans. Portland has a public transportation score of 6 out of 10, whereas New Orleans is ranked 7. Ratings are based on a city’s transit connectivity, service frequency, and accessibility to key destinations like jobs and grocery stores.
• Living in Portland means you’ll likely be within closer walking distance to restaurants, shops, parks, and entertainment than you are in New Orleans. Portland is considered more walkable than New Orleans, with a score of 62 out of 100 versus 58 out of 100 in New Orleans. A city’s walkability score indicates how pedestrian-friendly it is in terms of proximity of neighborhoods to amenities.
• Portland and New Orleans are similarly bike-friendly based on their comparable ratings of 68 and 66 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 New Orleans based on scores of 32.16 and New Orleans's 67.31, 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 New Orleans, based on Portland’s safety index of 67.84 versus 32.69 for New Orleans. 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 New Orleans 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 New Orleans 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