Colorado Local Expert
Heidi Lim
“She's a blossoming plant nerd.”
See full bio
Leaving Colorado for Maine: Biggest Mistakes to Avoid
Trading mountain peaks for rocky coastline might sound like a fair exchange, but relocating from Colorado to Maine comes with more surprises than most movers anticipate. Colorado life tends to revolve around altitude, outdoor adventure, and a booming Front Range economy, while Maine offers a quieter pace, fierce seasonal swings, and a deep sense of local identity that takes time to earn. Our Snappy Scout team (Heidi & Greg) dug into the costs, logistics, and lifestyle shifts you should plan for before you start loading the truck.
Who's Behind This Guide
The Moving Truck Drive from CO to ME
Average distance
2,150miles
Typical route
I-80 E, I-90 E, I-290 E, I-90 E, I-95 N
Popular moving routes (approx. driving distance):
Denver, CO → Portland, ME
~2150 miles
Colorado Springs, CO → Portland, ME
~2200 miles
Denver, CO → Bangor, ME
~2300 miles
Aurora, CO → Augusta, ME
~2250 miles
Fort Collins, CO → Portland, ME
~2100 miles
Should You Move From Colorado to Maine Quiz
Take this 10 question quiz to find out if the move to Maine from Colorado is the right call for your lifestyle and preferences.
Progress1 of 10 questions
Question 1 of 10
What kind of weather makes you happiest?
0/10answered
Live score
Collecting your answers and forming an opinion. Answer another question to see the results.
Decoding the Cost of a CO to ME Move
Moving 2,150 miles from Colorado to Maine will typically cost between $2,500.00 and $4,500.00 to hire full service movers. See the breakdown below by home size.
Expected Range
$2,500.00–$4,500.00
Expected Time
5–12days
Cost by home size
Studio
$1,260.00
1 Bedroom
$1,860.00
2 Bedrooms
$3,070.00
3 Bedrooms
$4,450.00
4 Bedrooms
$6,400.00
5+ Bedrooms
$7,110.00
| Home Size | Moving Cost | Volume (ft³) | $/ft³ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,260.00 | 300 | $4.2 |
| 1 Bedroom | $1,860.00 | 450 | $4.13 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $3,070.00 | 750 | $4.09 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $4,450.00 | 1,100 | $4.05 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $6,400.00 | 1,600 | $4 |
| 5+ Bedrooms | $7,110.00 | 1,800 | $3.95 |
How we calculated these numbers: We reached out to the owners and operators of more than a dozen nationwide moving companies to figure out how they factor in mileage, weight, volume, timing, origin & termination locations, and approximate home sizes to determine a moving estimate. The results above are what the data nerds at Snappy Scout created based on that info.
Who Should Consider the Move from CO to ME?
Well, it depends. If you're a Retired Snowbird, Beach Bum, or Foodie, you'll thrive in your move to Maine. But if you're more of a Tech Bro, Binge Shopper, or Wall Street Exec, settling into your new home state may be a bit of a challenge. We scored a variety of different “personalities” on a 10-point scale to show you what to expect from a lifestyle perspective with a relocation from Colorado to Maine.
Top 3 winners and losers moving from CO to ME
Snowbirds
Colorado
3
/10
Maine
7.5
/10
Colorado
Giving up
Winters too harsh and snowy for those seeking sunshine.
Maine
Gaining
Blissful summers, then head south after Fryeburg Fair.
Recommended ME cities/areas for Retired Snowbirds
KennebunkportCamden
Colorado
3
/10
Maine
7.5
/10
Beach Culture
Colorado
2.5
/10
Maine
4
/10
Colorado
Giving up
Lakes offer swimming but landlocked mountains aren't coastal paradise.
Maine
Gaining
Old Orchard boardwalk fun, chilly water, narrow beaches at tide.
Recommended ME cities/areas for Beach Bums
Old Orchard BeachWells
Colorado
2.5
/10
Maine
4
/10
Foodies
Colorado
8
/10
Maine
9
/10
Colorado
Giving up
Mercantile Dining and farm-to-table spots deliver mountain cuisine.
Maine
Gaining
Eventide oysters, Primo indulgence, lobster rolls everywhere.
Recommended ME cities/areas for Foodies
PortlandRockland
Colorado
8
/10
Maine
9
/10
Tech Scene
Colorado
7
/10
Maine
4
/10
Colorado
Giving up
Startup scene growing but lacks Silicon Valley's massive scale.
Maine
Gaining
Remote friendly Portland startups, fewer unicorns than Kendall Square.
Recommended ME cities/areas for Tech Bros
PortlandBrunswick
Colorado
7
/10
Maine
4
/10
Shopping
Colorado
4.5
/10
Maine
2.5
/10
Colorado
Giving up
Cherry Creek Shopping Center works but lacks major fashion capitals.
Maine
Gaining
Outlets scratch itch, limited luxury spree, thrifting bonanza
Recommended ME cities/areas for Binge Shoppers
Colorado
4.5
/10
Maine
2.5
/10
Wall Street Life
Colorado
5
/10
Maine
3
/10
Colorado
Giving up
Finance jobs exist downtown but lack New York's intensity.
Maine
Gaining
Finance gigs exist, but Old Port lacks Manhattan velocity.
Recommended ME cities/areas for Wall Street Execs
Colorado
5
/10
Maine
3
/10
Local Perspective
What moment, smell, or ritual captures the soul of Maine?
The welcoming nature of the people in Maine. It doesn't matter who your father was, where you went to college, or what you did for work wherever it was you came from. You're here now. So look someone in the eye, smile, and say something friendly. Most people will respond in kind. After about 5 minutes of chatting, they'll treat you like an old friend. After 10, they'll offer you their truck when you need one. It really is OK if you come from Massachusetts. Just don't act like it.
– Greg Reid
Maine Local
Lifestyle differences between living in Colorado and living in Maine
ColoradoMaine
The Unspoken Dining Rules of Eating Like a Local in CO and ME
Eating Like a Local in Colorado
Order cautiously: Rocky Mountain Oysters are NOT oysters. They’re bull testicles. But they’re deep-fried, and let’s be honest, anything deep-fried has a fighting chance.
Heidi LimColorado Local ExpertEating Like a Local in Maine
Forget your grinder, sub sandwich, or hoagie. This form of nourishment is called "an Italian." Hot or cold. Open-faced or closed. It's an Italian. Meatball sandwich? Meatball Italian. Veggie grinder? Veggie Italian. Italian sub? You guessed it: Italian Italian.
Greg ReidMaine Local ExpertThe Straight Tax Shift of Moving to ME from CO
Colorado
Maine
ColoradovsMaine
State Income Tax
State Income TaxFlat 4.4% on all income
Progressive 5.8% to 7.15% brackets
Colorado
Flat 4.4% on all income
VS
Maine
Progressive 5.8% to 7.15% brackets
Property Taxes
Property TaxesBroomfield and Boulder areas higher, rural counties lower
Highest around Portland and coastal towns, lower in Aroostook, Piscataquis, interior
Colorado
Broomfield and Boulder areas higher, rural counties lower
VS
Maine
Highest around Portland and coastal towns, lower in Aroostook, Piscataquis, interior
How CO and ME Compare on Culture, Politics, & Faith
Colorado
Maine
ColoradovsMaine
People
PeopleCasual and low-key, friendly but hands-off, and deeply appreciative of sunshine and flexible plans
Yankee reserved but welcoming, wicked helpful, blunt yet kind, tight community vibes, year round hardy
Colorado
Casual and low-key, friendly but hands-off, and deeply appreciative of sunshine and flexible plans
VS
Maine
Yankee reserved but welcoming, wicked helpful, blunt yet kind, tight community vibes, year round hardy
Politics
Purple turned blue, Front Range liberal, Western Slope conservative
Independent streak, split tickets, cities blue, rural red, first to adopt ranked choice
Colorado
Purple turned blue, Front Range liberal, Western Slope conservative
VS
Maine
Independent streak, split tickets, cities blue, rural red, first to adopt ranked choice
Religion
ReligionMostly Christian with large unaffiliated population, growing secular
Mostly Christian, many unaffiliated, Catholic pockets in Portland and Lewiston, small Jewish and Muslim communities
Colorado
Mostly Christian with large unaffiliated population, growing secular
VS
Maine
Mostly Christian, many unaffiliated, Catholic pockets in Portland and Lewiston, small Jewish and Muslim communities
Leaving CO Summers Behind: What ME Weather Really Feels Like
SUMMER
Colorado
crispy mornings, scorching afternoons (90s on the Front Range)
Maine
beach day needs a hoodie (sea breeze chills the coast, inland towns flirt with ninety)
WINTER
Colorado
bluebird perfection interrupted by arctic blasts (mountains stay frozen)
Maine
nostril freezing theater (Aroostook goes full deep freeze, Portland stays slushy and stubborn)
My Favorite Thing About Winter/Spring/Summer/Fall in Maine
Winter: Hiking with my dog over snow-covered trails, biting cold morning air
Spring: Watching the sun rise a little earlier each day, the sudden eruption of greenery in May
Summer: Outdoor concerts, Portland Hearts of Pine soccer matches, kids playing outside til dusk
Fall: Exploring Casco Bay Islands, sampling pumpkin-spiced brews
Greg ReidMaine Local ExpertNext Steps
Learn More About Moving to Maine
By now, you're hopefully fully aware that at Snappy Scout, our moving guides aren't like the rest! Now that you've compared the aspects of leaving behind Colorado, take a deeper dive into the specifics of moving to Maine. No boring census stats... we promise! Just practical real advice from Maine local experts.
Moving toAugusta
Prep for Slanted Floors and Seven Bridges
Moving toBangor
Mortal Mortgages, Moose Eyes, Bunyan Selfies
Moving toLewiston
Bates Vibes, Forage Bagels, Nor'easter Grit
