Moving to Maine? Relocation Guide for 2021

If you’d love to see the precise first spot the sun rises in the entire United States, moving to Maine will make that happen.

Maine has one of the lowest crime rates in the country. People in the state are warm, friendly, and the stunning coastlines stretch as far as the eyes can see.

If you enjoy swimming, hiking, kayaking, skiing, biking, and sailing in the summer, moving to Maine will be perfect for you. Maine also houses tons of camping sites, making the beautiful outdoors more exciting.

Maine is famous for its beautiful oceans, breathtaking mountains, lighthouses and delicious lobsters. If you’d like to see historic lighthouses, see one of the most beautiful Falls in the country or even experience all four seasons, moving to Maine will be such a great idea.

If you’re wondering if moving to Maine is right for you or not, this guide contains all the key things you need to know about the state in order to make an informed decision.

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  Top reasons to move to Maine

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  Pros & Cons of living in Maine

• 

  Best Places to Live in Maine

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  Cost of living in Maine

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  Maine job market

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  Taxes in Maine

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  Maine Most Known For

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  Schools in Maine

Quick facts to know before moving to Maine

• Crime rate in Maine is lower than the national average
• Maine is one of the safest states to live in America
• The average annual pay for an average job in Maine is $58,015 a year
• The average hourly pay for jobs in Maine is $27.89 an hour
• The cost of living in Maine is lower than the national average
• The median home value in Maine is $269,753
• The average Maine resident pay $2,597 a year in property taxes
• Maine’s unemployment rate is 2.4%. The United States average is 3.7%

Top 10 reasons to move to Maine

Why is moving to Maine such a great idea? There are so many reasons why moving to Maine could be perfect for you.

• The crime rate in Maine is incredibly low

  Maine is one of the safest states in the US. It ranks first in public safety and has the 4th lowest property crime rate.

• Maine houses tons of beautiful camping sites

  Camping is practically synonymous with Maine. And those who love to sleep out watching the stars need to know that there is no place better than Maine to experience it.

  Here’s the list of best campgrounds in Maine:

  • Seawall Campground
  • Blackwoods Campground
  • Wolfe’s Neck Oceanfront Campground
  • Winslow City Park Campground
  • Sebago Lake State Park
  • Paradise Park Resort Campground
  • Searsport Shores Ocean Campground
  • Timberland Acres RV Park
  • Red Apple Campground
  • Hid’n Pines Family Campground

• Maine is home to oceans, lakes, and mountains

  Mine is a total nature beauty. From amazing beaches to breathtaking lakes to stupendous mountain ranges, The Pine Tree State is about as gorgeous as it gets.

  Here is a list of spectacular lakes and mountains in Maine:

  • Lake Auburn
  • Sabattus Pond
  • Gulf Island Pond
  • Tripp Pond
  • Jordan Pond
  • Moosehead Lake
  • Sebago Lake
  • Bigelow Mountain
  • Cadillac Mountain
  • The Crockers
  • Dorr Mountain

• Stunning Fall foliage

  Fall foliage in Maine is spectacular and perhaps the best with bright orange, yellow and red leaves on maples, oak, elm, and birch, in dramatic contrast against the blue waters of the Atlantic Ocean and the many freshwater lakes and rivers.

• You’ll enjoy all four seasons in Maine

  Maine weather is dramatic as the season changes 4 times a year. The summer is mild and the breeze from the Atlantic cools off the state when the temperature is at its peak. Early to mid-fall temperatures average in the high 60s and low 70s and winters are cold with snowfall. Annual snowfalls on the Southern Maine Coast can reach over 70 inches, while Northern Maine may get over 100 inches of fresh snow in a season.

• Warm and friendly neighbors

  Maineiacs or the residents of Mainer are the friendliest in the country and they can be kind neighbors. You will come across strangers smiling at you while crossing on the road or waiting at a billing counter and the next you will see is the beginning of a happy conversation.

• Gorgeous and historic coastlines

  You may be surprised to know that Maine has more coastline than California. The Pine Tree State has more than 5,000 miles of shoreline with an abundance of picturesque lighthouses and seafood shanties.

• Charming restaurants with tasty food

  Lobster is the culinary landmark of Maine but there is a lot more on offer. Restaurants here serve more than lobster rolls. To satisfy your appetite, each town has restaurants that use local produce, seafood, and meats and prepare mouth-watering cuisines.

  Here are some of the best restaurants in Maine that deserve a visit

  • White Barn Inn, Kennebunkport
  • Earth, Kennebunkport
  • Hugo's, Portland
  • Fore Street, Portland
  • Union, Portland
  • The Contented Soul, Pemaquid Harbor
  • The Lost Kitchen, Freedom
  • Palace Diner, Biddeford
  • Bite into Maine, Portland

• Maine is a perfect state for retirement

  The low cost of living complemented with an extremely low crime rate, amazing cuisines, pleasant climate, and serene atmosphere make Maine a perfect state to retire.

• Acadia National Park

  The 49,000-acre Acadia National park preserves about half of Mount Desert Island, part of the Isle au Haut, the tip of the Schoodic Peninsula, and portions of 16 smaller outlying islands. Cadillac Mountain, the tallest on the Atlantic coast of the US, is in Acadia. The many lakes, streams, wetlands, forests, meadows, and coastlines contribute to the diversity of animals and plants here.

Pros & Cons of Living in Maine

Living in Maine has some benefits and downsides. Here we give you the opportunity to weigh the pros and cons of living in the state since you’re considering moving to Maine:

The pros of living in Maine	The cons of living in Maine
You’ll enjoy lots of seafoods in Maine	Home values in Maine are higher than U.S. average
Maine is one of the safest places to live in the United States	Maine seems to be a retirement community
Maine is home to forests and recreational spaces	Internet speed isn’t so fast in Maine, unlike other states
Summers in Maine are always pleasant	The atmosphere is plain and a leftover of the past
Maine unemployment rate is lower than the U.S. average	The low unemployment rate doesn’t guarantee a great job
There’s a fair wage for work done in Maine	Winter can be really harsh in Maine
You don’t have to bother about rush hour if you’re living in Maine	You’ll have to cope with strange laws
You’ll enjoy a remarkable hospitality and charm	Commercial entertainment options are limited in Maine
Easy and regular access to beautiful and remarkable coastlines
Maine is home to many cats

Where are the best places to live in Maine?

If you’re moving to Maine, you’d most likely be interested in the best places to live in the state. Here we’ve made a list of the ten best places to live in main indicating each city’s population, unemployment rate and home value. Take a look:

Rank	City	Population	Unemployment Rate	Home Value
1	Saco	19,497	2.3%	$258,900
2	South Portland	25,548	4.8%	$257,200
3	Bath	8,319	1.9%	$175,700
4	Belfast	6,688	7.9%	$190,500
5	Portland	66,595	2.8%	$289,000
6	Westbrook	18,633	6.0%	$232,900
7	Hallowell	2,445	5.2%	$192,000
8	Rockland	7,178	5.7%	$172,800
9	Brewer	9,090	4.2%	$162,100
10	Auburn	23,187	3.2%	$165,200

What’s the cost of living in Maine?

The cost of living in Maine is rated 96.5. The United States average is 100. This means that the cost of living in Maine is lower than the national average. This is one of the key things to mull over if you’re moving to Maine.

What’s the average cost of renting a home in Maine?

Moving to Maine could mean renting a home. Up to 21.8% of Maine residents are renters and renting a home in the state could be a good idea. About 1.6% of homes and apartments in Maine are open to rent.

What’s the median monthly rental cost in Maine?

The following are the average costs of renting a home or apartment in Maine:

• Average cost of a studio apartment in Maine is $754
• Average cost of a 1-bedroom home or apartment in Maine is $801
• Average cost of a 2-bedroom home or apartment in Maine is $1006
• Average cost of a 3-bedroom home or apartment in Maine is $1,309
• Average cost of a 4 -bedroom home or apartment in Maine is $1500

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What’s the median home value in Maine?

Buying a home is a good option if you’re moving to Maine. Here’s a simple breakdown of the state’s housing market to give you an idea of what to expect:

• The median home value in Maine is $269,753
• Home values in Maine has increased by 10.5% over the past year
• Experts predicts a 10.9% rise in the value of homes in Maine next year
• 78.2% of Maine residents are homeowners

Maine Job Market

What are the top Industries in Maine?

Maine is home to several large industries powering the state’s economy. Since you’re considering moving to Maine, we’ve listed the top six industries in the state:

• Agriculture
• Fisheries
• Shipbuilding
• Healthcare
• Tourism
• Mining

What are the fastest growing jobs in Maine?

As some industries grow rapidly than others, some talents and skills are in higher demand than others. Since you’re considering moving to Maine, take a look at the fastest growing jobs in the state to give you an idea of how to position your skills if you’re job hunting.

Rank	Job Title	Growth %	Average Wage	Jobs in 2024
1	Nurse Practitioner	124.6%	$99,140	1,470
2	Physician Assistant	119.0%	$104,520	1,130
3	Physical Therapist	117.3%	$75,280	1,560
4	Software Developer	116.0%	$85,440	1,740
5	Taxi Driver	115.7%	$25,400	1,400
6	Business Analyst	115.4%	$81,220	1,100
7	Occupational Therapist	114.6%	$64,620	1,100
8	Home Health Aid	114.3%	$24,690	3,760
9	Mechanic	113.8%	$43,180	2,150
10	Registered Nurse	110.9%	$63,800	16,220

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What’s the median salary in Maine?

In Maine, the average annual pay for an average job is $58,015 a year. If you’re considering moving to Maine, here’s a simple analysis of the average pay in the state for hourly jobs:

• The average hourly pay for jobs in Maine is $27.89 an hour
• The average weekly pay for a job in Maine is $1,116 a week
• The average monthly pay for an average hourly job in Maine is $4,835 per month
• Top earners (90th percentile) make an average of $82,658 annually in Maine
• Annual salaries in Maine can be as high as $124,905 and as low as $18,828

What’s the unemployment rate in Maine?

Maine’s unemployment rate is 2.4%. The United States average is 3.7%. This means that the unemployment rate in Maine is way below the national average.

• Over the past year, jobs in Maine have increased by 0.6%
• Job growth has been generally positive in Maine
• Future job growth over the next 10 years is 33.7%. U.S. average is 33.5%

Who are the biggest employers in Maine?

Moving to Maine could mean starting a new job. If you’re considering working for some of the biggest companies in the state, check out this list of the ten biggest employers in Maine:

Rank	Company	City	Employees
1	Support Enforcement & Recovery	Augusta	13,420
2	Mainehealth	Portland	13,266
3	L.L.Bean	Freeport	9,266
4	University of Maine System	Bangor	8,000
5	Idexx Laboratories	Westbrook	7,000
6	Hannaford Supermarkets	Scarborough	5,410
7	Maine	Augusta	4,140
8	Cianbro	Pittsfield	4,000
9	WEX	South Portland	3,500
10	CMMF	Lewiston	3,000

Taxes in Maine

How are taxes like in Maine?

How much will you be paying in taxes if you move to Maine? You can compare taxes in Maine with the ones in your current state to know if taxes in Maine are better or not. Here are key stats about Maine taxes to give you a head start:

• Property tax rates in Maine are well above the U.S. average.
• Maine’s average effective property tax rate is 1.30%. The U.S. average is 1.07%.
• The average Maine resident pay $2,597 a year in property taxes
• Maine’s income tax ranges from 5.80% - 7.15%
• Sales tax in Maine is 5.50%
• Maine’s gas tax is 30 cents per gallon of regular gasoline
• Maine’s gas tax is 31.2 cents per gallon of diesel

What is Maine most known for?

Maine is famous for so many things and so many reasons. If you’re moving to Maine, you’d most likely be interested in what the state is most known for. Here are the things Maine is mostly known for:

• Main lobsters

  A special lobster species found on the Atlantic coast of North America especially in Maine is now a revered delicacy in Maine and is served at most restaurants in the state.

• Main lighthouses

  For over two centuries, Maine lighthouses have stood as beacons in the night along Maine’s rocky coast. The 65 historic lighthouses that guided ships safely to harbors are now major attractions in the state.

  Here are the 10 best Maine lighthouses:

  • Portland Head Light
  • West Quoddy Head Light
  • Monhegan island Light
  • Bass Harbor Light
  • Cape Neddick Light
  • Whaleback Lighthouse
  • Boon Island Light
  • Spring Point Ledge Light
  • Seguin Island Light
  • Cape Elizabeth Light

• Beaches

  Maine boasts of some of the best beaches in the US packed with jewel-like coves, craggy, impressive cliffs, and white sand. The state has about 5,000 miles of shoreline, much longer than California and we’ve compiled a list of the best beaches to explore while you are in Maine.

  • Kennebunk Beach
  • Wells Beach
  • Sand Beach
  • Crescent Beach
  • Ogunquit Beach
  • Old Orchard Beach
  • Popham Beach
  • Higgins Beach

• Moose

  Maine is popular for moose and it is estimated to have a moose population of around 76,000, making it the highest population in the United States outside of Alaska.

• L.L. Bean

  An American retail company headquartered in Freeport, Maine, L. L Bean is specialized in clothing and outdoor recreation equipment.

• Blueberries

  Maine produces 10% of the total blueberries in North America and is its largest cultivator in the world. Blueberries are farmed on 44,000 acres across the state.

• Mountains

  The iconic Appalachian mountain range stretching the length of the United States’ east coast passes through Maine, promising the state a pristine environment. From mountaineering to hiking to alpine skiing, there is a perfect mountain destination for everyone in Maine.

  Some of the best mountains worthy of exploring in Maine are:

  • Bigelow Mountain
  • Doubletop Mountain
  • Goose Eye Mountain
  • Saddleback Mountain
  • Mount Abraham
  • Mount Redington
  • Spaulding Mountain
  • Sugarloaf Mountain
  • Katahdin Mountain
  • Mansell Mountain

• Maine Windjammers

  Windjammers or traditionally rigged ships offer fun and relaxation on the sea and there is no better place than Maine to experience it. There are unlimited windjammer cruises in Maine. There is no excuse for skipping it while here.

• Rocky and wild coast

  Maine’s rocky coast is packed with activities. Apart from serene towns housing dining places and restaurants serving seafood, there is amazing stuff including biking and trailing to engage in. The coasts of Maine are also popular destinations to kayak, fish, boat, or ski.

• Thick pine forests

  Eastern white pine is the official tree of Maine and the state is nicknamed ‘Pine Tree State’ for the extensive pine forests that cover the state.

• Sailing and boating

  With 3,500 miles of coastline and 6,000 lakes, it is natural for Mainers to be crazy about boating and sailing. For people here, sailing and boating are not just fun activities but are serious sports. For those coming to Maine without a boat, renting options are also available.

How is the Maine School System?

Maine is home to lots of highly-rated elementary, middle, and high schools. The state also houses several well-known colleges such as the University of Maine, Colby college, and the University of New England. If you’re moving to Maine, you’d most likely be interested in the best schools in the state.

Here we’ve made a list of the best colleges, elementary, middle, and high schools in Maine.