Being one of the most flourishing states in the New England region, Maine is nothing short of beauty and history. With over 80% of the state covered in pine trees, hemlocks, spices, and hardwoods, Maine has rightfully earned the nickname The Pine Tree State. Situated in the northeastern corner of the country, you will find the coastal area to be pretty rocky. During low tide, you can easily hop onto one of those rocks and pick out snails, and mussels; or maybe toss a couple of sea urchins back into the sea. An excellent way of spending an afternoon at the beach.
Want to know more about what this state possesses? Continue reading our detailed article to find out if moving to Maine is for you!
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Let us look into Maine’s good and not-so-good qualities so that you can decide afterwards about living in this state or not.
Pros
Cons
If you decide to live in Maine, be prepared to part with some of your income on taxes. According to MaineBiz, the state ranks as the 4th highest in the country with New York, Hawaii, and Vermont securing the top 3 positions of states having high tax rates. Unless you have a well-paying job in Maine, paying these taxes will be a burden.
The state income tax rate varies between 5.80% to 7.15% and is imposed depending on the amount you earn per annum. If you’re looking to buy appliances in this state, expect to pay a sales tax of around 5.50%. One redeeming quality is that this rate is fixed throughout the state as there is no local sales tax levied by counties. So that’s a bit of a breather. However, that 5.50% can hit 6% because services such as cable television and furniture are taxed as well.
Property taxes are high as well; higher than the national average. The average effective property tax rate is 1.30% in Maine while the US average stands at 1.1%. A Mainer shells approximately $2,597 per annum on property taxes, which exceeds the national average by 5%. Again, the property tax rate differs from county to county.
Along with high property tax rates, you have inflated real estate prices to deal with in Maine. The median price of homes in this state is around $301,700, which is 4% higher than the national average. You might want to reconsider moving to Maine if you’re looking for budget places to live in. However, rent is below the national average though it can increase in major cities like Portland. Nevertheless, renting is much cheaper than buying a house in this state. Here are some of the approximate rent prices you should look at:
| Size Of The Apartment | Average Rent Per Month | US Average |
| Studio | $831 | $949 |
| 1-bedroom | $910 | $1,048 |
| 2-bedroom | $1,172 | $1,278 |
| 3-bedroom | $1,510 | $1,681 |
| 4-bedroom | $1,810 | 1,950 |
Prices of real estate, utilities, and groceries in Maine are a bit more than the national average. But its cost of living still manages to stay below the US average. On the cost of living index, Maine scores a 96 which means living here is still cheaper than in some states.
How, you ask. You should know that car insurance costs around $865 per annum, which is much cheaper compared to other states. Vehicle sales taxes bring down transportation costs as well ( $2,106 approximately), so buying a car will be more affordable in Maine. Rent is also an important factor contributing to the bringing down of living costs in this state; we have already explored that part in the above table.
Here is a rough breakdown of how much you will pay for utilities. In total, you will pay $426 per month which is 5% higher than the US average.
Maine’s weather has two different sides: the summer being the lenient one and the winter being the severe one. Summers are the most sought out season in the state because the temperatures fall in the comfortable range of 59°F to 79°F. Summer temperatures in Maine rarely cross the 100 °F mark; this means you now have more time to enjoy the outdoors. Get your surfboards ready and skim the waves on one of Maine’s beaches. Portland has some pretty good beaches with warm waters.
Now we come to the denser side of Maine: the winter. Many parts of the state see temperatures dropping below 0°F while some other parts see the average daytime temperatures being in the frigid 31°F. Nighttimes see temperatures dropping to 13°F, so get those heaters serviced before the winters begin in Maine. Also, it snows pretty heavily in certain months (up to 10″) and can make the roads slippery and wet. Drive carefully if you have to go out during the peak winter period.
Maine may not be as large as, say, a Texas, but it has had a GDP of $56 billion in 2020. Pretty huge huh? Well, there are a couple of industries that have facilitated this huge growth:
Since Maine is closer to cities like Boston, New York City, and other major areas in New England, getting well-paying jobs is easier. Hence, the unemployment rate is 5.4%, which is below the national average of 6.0%.
However, you will earn a bit less compared to the national average ($28,555 annually). A resident of Maine earns an annual income of $27,332 a year. To keep up with rising costs, you’ll need to have a well-paying job. Similarly, the median household income is $48,804 a year compared to the US average of $53,482 a year.
Traffic isn’t a hassle at all in Maine. Keep this point in mind while planning to move to this state. Even during peak rush hour, you’ll face a couple of minor delays, but those setbacks get resolved within 5-10 minutes. Compared to the traffic in Los Angeles or Seattle, this is way quicker.
As a large part of Maine is rural, public transportation options are few. So to get around the state, you’ll need a car. Areas like Portland and Brunswick are served well by the Amtrak Downeaster and Portland Metro, but other than that, you’ll need to hire a taxi to get you from point A to B.
Concord Coach Lines serve the greater part of Maine but are again limited to some areas and their bus fares are a bit pricier than other bus services such as the Metro Breez.
The region of New England has some of the best educational institutions with high student-to-teacher ratios. Maine is fortunate to be in this region so you don’t have to be hesitant in putting your child in one of their world-class public schools. Also, Maine is home to 31 colleges and universities which means Maine is in no way lacking in higher education. Here are some of the best schools, colleges, and universities we have curated for you to choose from.
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If you want to understand Maine’s maritime culture, then the Maine Maritime Museum is a must-visit. Situated on the banks of the Kennebec River, this 20-acre campus is home to numerous galleries that exhibit various artifacts found on fishing adventures. People from all around the state come to these galleries to learn a little more about the history of Maine. Also, the sculpture of the Wyoming schooner is the main highlight of this place.
With 2.7 million visitors in 2020, the Acadia National Park is regarded as one of the best national parks in the country. This park meticulously captures New England’s topographical area and fishing villages. You’ll also spot some harbors with hardworking fishermen bringing in their catch from their boats. With attractions including Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse and Cadillac Mountain in this area, this is just an addition to your enriching experience visiting this place.
If you want to enjoy the amenities of an amusement park while facing the sea, then Old Orchard Beach will not disappoint. Palace Playland, known as New England’s only amusement park adjacent to the beach, has a Ferris wheel, a roller coaster, and bumper cars. Who doesn’t like bumper cars?
Located in Cumberland County, this suburb is located just 12 miles north of Portland. The streets are decked with local shops and eateries along with numerous parks and open spaces. The sidewalks are spacious, so you can enjoy staying fit by jogging or walking. The public school system is amazing as its school district is ranked as one of the best in Maine. Although there’s no nightlife, people prefer staying in this quaint place for the serene atmosphere and close community it possesses.
Here are some of the top attractions in Yarmouth:
Population: 8,529
Median Home Value: $374,600
Monthly Median Rent: $1,227
Annual Median Household Income: $89,984
Located in Cumberland County, southwest of Maine, this city has a more vibrant culture and lifestyle than other cities. The LGBTQ community is vibrant and welcoming in this area. If you buy a house in Portland, you’ll find that shops and supermarkets are near each other. Also, you won’t ever return home on an empty stomach as the place is filled with around 100 restaurants in every nook and corner. Portland has a pretty impressive live music scene as well. So this is for all the music lovers out there!
Now we get to the scenic and historic side of Portland. Here are some places you need to visit:
Population: 66,595
Median Home Value: $289,000
Monthly Median Rent: $1,124
Annual Median Household Income: $60,467
Conclusion
Maine is an impressive state by itself. Having a family in this state has more positives than negatives such as good housing options, vibrant job opportunities, and quality school districts. True, the negatives cannot be ignored, but they’re something that can be overcome in time. However, getting around the state will be a bit of a hassle if you don’t have a personal vehicle and that might take even more time to get used to. If you can adjust with that, then Maine should be on your checklist.
Maine has a low cost of living, low crime rate, and low traffic density. On top of that, you have a good economy, deep history, and amazing tourist attractions. If that doesn’t convince you to move to Maine, we don’t know what will!
The summers are pleasant but the winters take a different turn altogether. Stepping out of the house, especially in January, will be quite a task due to the immense snow and below-freezing temperatures. The public transportation system is lacking in many ways. Some places like Portland and Brunswick see decent transportation, but the rest of the state is left with people buying cars to get to remote areas.
Maine is known for many things, but it is mainly famous for its Maine lobster and wild blueberries (40,000 acres of it)!
See Also: Top Moving Companies for Moving to Maine
Alex Sherr is the founder of My Long Distance Movers, a blog that provides moving information and resources for people who are relocating. He has more than two decades of experience in the moving and relocation industry, and he is passionate about helping people relocate smoothly and efficiently. When he's not writing or blogging, Alex enjoys spending time with his wife and two young children.
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