($1,483) Movers From Madison, WI to Portland, ME

What to know before moving from Madison to Portland

Moving from Madison to Portland comes with exciting new opportunities — but also higher living costs. Since Portland is generally more expensive than Madison, 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 24% higher than in Madison, 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 Madison.
  Home prices in Portland are 47.3% higher than in Madison.
• Income in Portland is 2.0% higher than in Madison, 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 8.7% higher than in Madison. 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 11.1% higher than in Madison.
• The unemployment rate in Portland is 57.58% higher than in Madison.
• Sales taxes are the same in Portland and Madison.
• One perk of moving to Portland is paying less in state income taxes, which are 24.18% lower than in Madison.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $3,260.47 in Portland to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Madison.

How life is different in Madison vs. Portland

• Portland might offer you a slower pace of life, since the population is about 75% less than Madison.
• Your access to buses, shuttles, trams, or trains in Portland will be about the same as it currently is in Madison. 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 Madison. Portland is considered more walkable than Madison, with a score of 62 out of 100 versus 50 out of 100 in Madison. A city’s walkability score indicates how pedestrian-friendly it is in terms of proximity of neighborhoods to amenities.
• Portland and Madison 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.
• You can anticipate the same crime rate in Portland as Madison. With the crime index, lower scores are better because they indicate less crime. Cities with scores of 20 or below, for example, have much fewer instances of crime than those with scores of 80–100.
• Portland is generally as safe as Madison, according to their similar safety index ratings. The ratings are based on how comfortable residents feel about walking alone during the daytime and nighttime and the number of small crimes like theft and muggings.
• The air quality in Portland and Madison 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 Madison 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