Things to know before moving from Texas to Portland, ME

Cost of living: Texas vs Portland, ME

Texas Portland
Average rent cost $1,251 $1,991
Average home value $300,267 $542,001
Average income (per capita) $73,035 $64,171
Unemployment rate 4% 5%
State income tax 0% 6%
  • Rent is about 59% more expensive in Portland than in Texas.
  • Home prices are about 81% higher in Portland than in Texas.
  • The average income is about 12% lower in Portland than in Texas.
  • Portland has a higher unemployment rate than Texas by about 27%.
  • Income taxes are 6% higher in Portland than in Texas.

How life is different in Portland from Texas

Portland Texas
Population 68,408 30,503,301
Political leaning Republican 50-48 Republican 56-44
Summer high 79ºF 94ºF
Winter low 11ºF 36ºF
Annual rain 49" 36"
Annual snow 61" 2"
Crime index 32.16 27.32
  • The population of Portland is approximately 100% lower than the population of Texas.
  • In the last presidential election, Portland voted Republican and Texas voted Republican.
  • The average high in the summertime in Portland is 79ºF and in Texas, it’s 94ºF.
  • During the coldest part of the year, Portland reaches the temperature of 11ºF and Texas gets down to 36ºF.
  • You can expect about 49 inches of annual rainfall in Portland vs 36 inches of rainfall in Texas.
  • In Portland, it snows about 61 inches annually vs 2 inches of snow in Texas.
  • Portland has a higher crime rate than Texas with a crime index of 32.16 vs 27.32.

Things to do in Portland

Whether you’re looking for parks, museums, sports, or even universities, you’ll be happy to find a plethora of these in Portland.

Museums in Portlandtoggle

  • Portland Museum of Art
  • Victoria Mansion
  • 5th Maine Museum
  • The Wadsworth-Longfellow House
  • Richard Boyd Art Gallery
  • Maine Jewish Museum
  • Children's Museum and Theatre of Maine
  • Tate House Museum
  • International Cryptozoology Museum
  • Portland Fire Museum
  • Southworth Planetarium

Parks in Portlandtoggle

  • Eastern Promenade Trail
  • Back Cove Trail
  • Deering Oaks Park
  • Quarry Run Dog Park
  • Western Promenade Park
  • Casco Bay
  • Fore River Sanctuary
  • Post Office Park
  • Mayor Baxter Woods Park

Sports Teams in Portlandtoggle

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

Universities in Portlandtoggle

  • University of Southern Maine
  • Maine College of Art

Other considerations when moving to Portland, ME

  • 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: 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 and this way all of your mail will get properly forwarded to Maine. Get started here.
  • Mover's insurance: Every state has their own requirements when it comes to 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: Peace of mind is priceless. Our moving checklist will help you know you’ve got everything covered.

FAQ

How long does a move from Texas to Portland take?

The time frame for a move from Texas to Portland, ME, varies based on your moving method and starting location. The actual loading up of your items should not take more than a day, even with DIY moves.

Obviously, the further upstate you are in Texas, the longer the drive time to Portland will be. If you’re driving a rental truck, the move could be completed in one or two days, on average, depending on your route and how often you stop.

With professional movers or moving containers, delivery times to Portland from Texas can range from a few days to a couple of weeks, depending on the company’s schedule and transit logistics. You can always ask for a general timeline before booking.

How far in advance should I book movers when moving from Texas to Portland?

Because of the 2119-mile move, it’s best to book your move from Texas to Portland as soon as you have your moving details. Ideally, you’d book your move two to three months ahead of time.

What time of year is the cheapest to move to Portland, ME?

With the summer highs of 79ºF and the winter lows of 11ºF, most people move to Portland from Texas during the spring and fall months. To avoid competing during those busy moving seasons, you could save some money by booking your move to Portland during summer or winter.

Helpful moving resources