($1,096) Moving from Washington DC to Portland

Quick answer: A move from Washington DC to Portland costs $446 to $5,000 and takes one-six days. The main factors that determine the cost and time are how much you’re moving, your move date, and whether you hire a company or do the 536-mile move yourself.

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  • Certified crews
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Hiring a long-distance moving company from Washington DC will be more expensive, while renting a truck or using a moving container is usually cheaper but requires more work.

Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Moving from Portland to Washington DC guide.

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The best Washington DC to Portland moving companies

Hiring an interstate moving company to go from Washington DC to Portland 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 Washington DC to Portland.

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  • Best overall value
  • Portion to charity
  • Veteran owned
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.9 / 5
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Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Family owned
  • East coast focus
  • Affordable pricing
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.25 / 5
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Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Family owned & operated
  • Affordable pricing
  • Same-day estimates

How much does it cost to move from Washington DC to Portland?

Washington DC movers charge $85 per hour on average. Here are average prices for a full-service moving company, moving container, or truck:

Move size Moving company Moving container Rental truck
Studio / 1 bedroom $1,096 - $3,204 $692 - $1,571 $434 - $791
2 - 3 bedrooms $1,966 - $5,000 $1,178 - $2,304 $446 - $892
4+ bedrooms $3,591 - $7,790 $1,618 - $2,906 $567 - $1,075
*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 536 miles and historical averages. The actual size of your move, additional services required, truck parking access, market conditions, and availability can greatly affect the final cost of your move.

Factors influencing moving costs from Washington DC to Portland

The cost of Washington DC movers will depend on:

  • Move size: The cost of your move will depend on the amount of items you have in your home. For example, moving a one-bedroom apartment from Washington DC to Portland can be as low as $1,096 while a four-bedroom home can be as high as $6,592.
  • Time of year: Summer is peak moving season in Washington DC, so moving companies will likely charge more.
  • Do-it-yourself vs professional mover: Renting a truck or using a moving container can be cheaper options, with prices for a rental truck ranging from $434 to $989. However, these options require more work and effort compared to hiring professional movers.

How much are professional moving companies when moving from Washington DC to Portland?

Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from Washington DC to Portland will cost between $1,096 to $3,204. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home will range from $1,966 to $5,000, and a four-bedroom move or bigger move from Washington DC to Portland will cost from $3,591 to $7,790.

How much are moving container companies from Washington DC to Portland?

Moving containers from Washington DC to Portland will cost you $692 to $1,571 for a studio or one-bedroom home. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $1,178 to $2,304. A larger home will cost $1,618 to $2,906.

How much is a moving truck from Washington DC to Portland?

Renting a moving truck is usually 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 $434 to $791. A larger move will cost $446 to $892, and a four-bedroom move from Washington DC to Portland costs from $567 to $1,075. These estimates include the anticipated fuel cost.

Pros and cons of moving from Washington DC to Portland

Cost of living: Washington DC vs Portland

Washington DC Portland
Average rent cost $2,450 $2,190
Average home value $609,175 $522,252
Average income (per capita) $635,900 $62,646
Cost of Living (single person) $1,211 $2,430
Cost of Living (family of 4) $4,423 $6,125
Unemployment rate 7.0% 5.2%
Sales Tax 6.0% 5.5%
State Income Tax 5.75% 5.8%
  • Rent prices in Portland are 11% lower than in Washington DC.
  • Home prices in Portland are 14.3% lower than in Washington DC.
  • Income in Portland is 90.1% lower than in Washington DC.
  • The cost of living for a single person in Portland is 100.7% higher than in Washington DC.
  • The cost of living for a family in Portland is 38.5% higher than in Washington DC.
  • The unemployment rate in Portland is 25.71% lower than in Washington DC.
  • Sales taxes in Portland are 8.33% lower than in Washington DC.
  • State income taxes are the same in Portland and Washington DC.

To put this into perspective, you would need around $6,019.82 in Portland to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Washington DC.

How is life different in Washington DC compared to Portland?

Portland Washington DC
Population 68,408 689,545
AllTransit Transportation Performance Score 6 9
Walkability score 62 77
Bike friendliness score 68 70
Crime Index 19.79 46.45
Safety Index 67.22 41.16
Air Quality Good Moderate
  • Portland's population is about 90% less than Washington DC.
  • Portland's public transportation has a score of 6 out of 10 versus Washington DC's lower score of 9.
  • Portland is less walkable than Washington DC with a score of 62 out of 100 vs Washington DC's 77 out of 100.
  • Portland is less bike-friendly than Washington DC with a score of 68 out of 100 vs Washington DC's 70.
  • Portland's crime rate is lower than Washington DC with a score of 19.79 compared to Washington DC's 46.45. This means that Portland neighborhoods are safer than 19.79% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Washington DC neighborhoods are safer than 46.45%.
  • Portland is considered to be safer than Washington DC with a safety index of 67.22 vs Washington DC's 41.16.
  • Air quality in Portland is good, and in Washington DC it's moderate.

Considerations for moving to Portland

  • 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.

Local Washington DC movers

Company Quote Rating Contact
Gentle Giant Moving Company Get A Quote starstarstarstarstar
4.76 overall rating
5782 2nd Street NE, Washington, MD, 20011
(202) 758-0213
Bookstore Movers, LLC Get A Quote starstarstarstarstar
4.72 overall rating
5200 46th Ave, Hyattsville, MD, 20781
(202) 570-4697

Visit our best long distance movers in Washington DC page to see a complete list of moving companies, including hourly rates, services, and reviews.

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.

Best neighborhoods for singles:

  • East End
  • West End
  • West Bayside
  • Parkside
  • Downtown
  • Oakdale
  • Back Cove
  • Valley Street

Best neighborhoods for families:

  • Deering Center
  • East End
  • Rosemont
  • West End
  • Valley Street
  • North Deering
  • Back Cove
  • East Deering
  • Oakdale

What to do in Portland

These are some of the best things to do in your new Maine home.

  • Portland's Old Port District & Commercial Street
  • Casco Bay and the Calendar Islands
  • Victoria Mansion
  • Eastern Promenade
  • Portland Museum of Art
  • Children's Museum & Theatre of Maine
  • Crescent Beach
  • Portland Observatory
  • Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad Co and Museum
  • Portland Head Light & Fort Williams Park
  • Wadsworth Longfellow House

Get your sports on!

Portland is a great sports town, these are the local teams to support:

  • Maine Celtics (G League)
  • Maine Mariners (ECHL)

FAQ

When is the best time to move from Washington DC to Portland?

The best time to move from Washington DC to Portland is during the spring or fall. These seasons offer milder weather and avoid higher moving costs during the peak moving season in Washington DC.

When is the cheapest time to move from Washington DC to Portland?

Because most people are moving from Washington DC to Portland in the spring or fall, you can often catch discounts by moving in the winter. Read our guide on moving discounts to learn more.

How long does a move from Washington DC to Portland take?

The 536-mile move from Washington DC, MD, to Portland, ME, takes one-six days. Some Washington DC movers may offer expedited moving if you need it faster. If you need more time, ask your mover about storage options in Portland.

Helpful moving resources