($1,522) Movers From San Antonio, TX to Portland, ME

What to know before moving from San Antonio to Portland

Moving from San Antonio to Portland comes with exciting new opportunities — but also higher living costs. Since Portland is generally more expensive than San Antonio, 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 33% higher than in San Antonio, 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 San Antonio.
  Home prices in Portland are 117.3% higher than in San Antonio.
• Income in Portland is 2.8% higher than in San Antonio, 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.
• Be sure to budget for higher bills in Portland, since the cost of living for a single person in Portland is 13.5% higher than in San Antonio. 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 22.9% higher than in San Antonio.
• The unemployment rate in Portland is 36.84% higher than in San Antonio.
• You’ll spend less on retail and restaurants in Portland, since the city’s sales taxes in Portland are 33.33% lower than in San Antonio.
• State income taxes in Portland are 5.80% higher than in San Antonio.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $3,406.11 in Portland to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in San Antonio.

How life is different in San Antonio vs. Portland

• Portland might offer you a slower pace of life, since the population is about 95% less than San Antonio.
• Your access to buses, shuttles, trams, or trains in Portland will be about the same as it currently is in San Antonio. 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.
• Living in Portland means you’ll likely be within closer walking distance to restaurants, shops, parks, and entertainment than you are in San Antonio. Portland is considered more walkable than San Antonio, with a score of 62 out of 100 versus 37 out of 100 in San Antonio. 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 San Antonio 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 San Antonio is rated as 45 out of 100.
• Portland has a lower crime rate than San Antonio based on scores of 32.16 and San Antonio's 48.06, 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 San Antonio, based on Portland’s safety index of 67.84 versus 51.94 for San Antonio. With this index, higher scores indicate more safety, particularly around how comfortable residents feel walking alone during the day and at night.
• You can breathe easy knowing that Portland has better air quality than in San Antonio. Portland has Good air quality, compared to moderate in San Antonio. Ratings of good to moderate mean very low risk of health concerns, although people with conditions like asthma or allergies could be affected. Beyond the moderate rating, health concerns increase for some or all residents.

Other things to consider for your San Antonio 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: It’s a good idea to look into your HOA or community regulations before moving day arrives.
• Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator, it’s a good idea to secure a reservation before your moving day.
• Truck parking permits: To avoid fines or delays, check whether a parking permit is needed for your moving truck.
• 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. Before booking, ensure the moving company is officially licensed to handle your move.
• State regulator: To confirm a moving company’s license in Maine, visit the state's public utilities commission
• Moving permits: While Maine doesn’t mandate moving permits, checking local parking guidelines before your move-in day is still a good idea.
• Change of address: We recommend submitting your USPS change of address form at least one week before your move to ensure your mail gets forwarded to Portland without delay. You can select your official move date when completing the form. Start the process here.
• Moving company insurance: Every state sets its own rules for what insurance moving companies need to maintain. 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 gives you the peace of mind that comes with being fully prepared.

Where to live in Portland

With your sights set on "Forest City", these are some of the most popular neighborhoods to consider in Portland.

Helpful moving resources