Georgia Local Expert
Sabrina Wells
“She has an eye for design and is quietly judging your throw pillow collection.”
See full bio
Leaving Georgia for Maine: The Truth Nobody Tells You
Trading Georgia's red clay soil and mild winters for the rocky coastlines and brutal cold of Maine is a move that carries more surprises than most people anticipate. Life in Georgia means sprawling suburbs, sweet tea on the porch, and a cost of living that leaves room to breathe, while Maine trades all of that for lobster shacks, moose sightings, and heating bills that will make your jaw drop come January. The cultural shift alone is enough to catch newcomers off guard, but the financial and logistical realities of this long haul relocation deserve just as much attention before you start loading boxes. Our Snappy Scout team (Sabrina & Greg) dug into the costs, the logistics, and the lifestyle changes waiting for you on the other end of this journey so you can make the move with your eyes wide open.
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Who's Behind This Guide
The Move from GA to ME: Distance & Drive Time
Average distance
1,350miles
Typical route
I-95 N and I-85 N are the major highways you'd drive to get from Georgia to Maine
Popular moving routes (approx. driving distance):
Atlanta, GA → Portland, ME
~1350 miles
Savannah, GA → Portland, ME
~1250 miles
Augusta, GA → Bangor, ME
~1400 miles
Columbus, GA → Augusta, ME
~1450 miles
Macon, GA → Portland, ME
~1300 miles
Should You Move From Georgia to Maine Quiz
Take this 10 question quiz to find out if the move to Maine from Georgia 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.
GA to ME Mover Quotes
Moving 1,350 miles from Georgia to Maine will typically cost between $2,500.00 and $4,000.00 to hire full service movers. See the breakdown below by home size.
Expected Range
$2,500.00–$4,000.00
Expected Time
4–11days
Cost by home size
Studio
$1,070.00
1 Bedroom
$1,580.00
2 Bedrooms
$2,600.00
3 Bedrooms
$3,760.00
4 Bedrooms
$5,390.00
5+ Bedrooms
$5,980.00
| Home Size | Moving Cost | Volume (ft³) | $/ft³ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,070.00 | 300 | $3.57 |
| 1 Bedroom | $1,580.00 | 450 | $3.51 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $2,600.00 | 750 | $3.47 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $3,760.00 | 1,100 | $3.42 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $5,390.00 | 1,600 | $3.37 |
| 5+ Bedrooms | $5,980.00 | 1,800 | $3.32 |
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.
That's the average.
What about your move?
Get a personalized estimate based on the details of your Georgia → Maine move.
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Will Your Sensibilities Translate in ME?
Well, it depends. If you're a Homesteader, DIYer, or Farmer's Market Regular, you'll thrive in your move to Maine. But if you're more of a Binge Shopper, Retired Military, or Cowboy, 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 Georgia to Maine.
Top 3 winners and losers moving from GA to ME
Homesteading
Georgia
5
/10
Maine
8
/10
Georgia
Giving up
North Georgia land available, but limited wide open acreage
Maine
Gaining
Organic gardening roots, cheap acreage, hearty winters build grit.
Recommended ME cities/areas for Homesteaders
UnityDover-Foxcroft
Georgia
5
/10
Maine
8
/10
DIYers
Georgia
6
/10
Maine
8
/10
Georgia
Giving up
Historic homes, renovation potential, Home Depot headquarters nearby
Maine
Gaining
Mill loft rehabs, Marden's hauls, fixer-uppers with good bones everywhere.
Recommended ME cities/areas for DIYers
LewistonBiddeford
Georgia
6
/10
Maine
8
/10
Farmer's Markets
Georgia
7
/10
Maine
8.5
/10
Georgia
Giving up
Decatur Square markets, Forsyth Farmers Market, local peach stands
Maine
Gaining
Portland Farmers Market in Deering Oaks, Brunswick winter market bounty.
Recommended ME cities/areas for Farmer's Market Regulars
PortlandBrunswick
Georgia
7
/10
Maine
8.5
/10
Shopping
Georgia
5.5
/10
Maine
2.5
/10
Georgia
Giving up
Lenox Square, Perimeter Mall, Atlantic Station shopping sprees
Maine
Gaining
Outlets scratch itch, limited luxury spree, thrifting bonanza
Recommended ME cities/areas for Binge Shoppers
Georgia
5.5
/10
Maine
2.5
/10
Military Culture
Georgia
8
/10
Maine
6
/10
Georgia
Giving up
Fort Benning, Robins Air Force Base, Fort Stewart nearby
Maine
Gaining
Portsmouth Naval Shipyard nearby, Togus VA, welcoming towns.
Recommended ME cities/areas for Retired Militaries
Georgia
8
/10
Maine
6
/10
Cowboys
Georgia
4
/10
Maine
2.5
/10
Georgia
Giving up
Some ranches and rodeos exist, but this ain't Texas
Maine
Gaining
Fryeburg Fair livestock thrills, few open ranges or rodeos.
Recommended ME cities/areas for Cowboys
Aroostook CountyFryeburg
Georgia
4
/10
Maine
2.5
/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 Georgia and living in Maine
GeorgiaMaine
The Dining Scene: GA vs ME
Eating Like a Local in Georgia
If Brunswick Stew is on the menu, don't hesitate to order it. And if it's got a bit of heat to it even better, but if not they're sure to have a variety of hot sauces available to spice it up.
Sabrina WellsGeorgia 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 ExpertMaine looking like
the right move?
There’s one more number worth knowing: what it’ll cost to get there.
Personalized for your move
Real prices not guesswork
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Is ME a More Advantageous State for Your Tax Situation?
Georgia
Maine
GeorgiavsMaine
State Income Tax
State Income TaxFlat 5.49% on all income
Progressive 5.8% to 7.15% brackets
Georgia
Flat 5.49% on all income
VS
Maine
Progressive 5.8% to 7.15% brackets
Property Taxes
Property TaxesMetro Atlanta higher, rural counties lower, overall moderate statewide
Highest around Portland and coastal towns, lower in Aroostook, Piscataquis, interior
Georgia
Metro Atlanta higher, rural counties lower, overall moderate statewide
VS
Maine
Highest around Portland and coastal towns, lower in Aroostook, Piscataquis, interior
What Defines GA and ME: Culture, Politics, & Faith
Georgia
Maine
GeorgiavsMaine
People
PeopleSouthern charm personified, warm hospitality with genuine politeness baked in until they get on 285
Yankee reserved but welcoming, wicked helpful, blunt yet kind, tight community vibes, year round hardy
Georgia
Southern charm personified, warm hospitality with genuine politeness baked in until they get on 285
VS
Maine
Yankee reserved but welcoming, wicked helpful, blunt yet kind, tight community vibes, year round hardy
Politics
Purple battleground, Atlanta and it's surrounding counties learn strong blue, surrounded by a sea of red
Independent streak, split tickets, cities blue, rural red, first to adopt ranked choice
Georgia
Purple battleground, Atlanta and it's surrounding counties learn strong blue, surrounded by a sea of red
VS
Maine
Independent streak, split tickets, cities blue, rural red, first to adopt ranked choice
Religion
ReligionPredominantly Christian, heavy Baptist influence, Atlanta brings religious diversity
Mostly Christian, many unaffiliated, Catholic pockets in Portland and Lewiston, small Jewish and Muslim communities
Georgia
Predominantly Christian, heavy Baptist influence, Atlanta brings religious diversity
VS
Maine
Mostly Christian, many unaffiliated, Catholic pockets in Portland and Lewiston, small Jewish and Muslim communities
How Weather Change When You Move from GA to ME
SUMMER
Georgia
satan's sauna setting (90s with bonus swamp air)
Maine
beach day needs a hoodie (sea breeze chills the coast, inland towns flirt with ninety)
WINTER
Georgia
negotiable flannel season (mountains get actual snow)
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 Expert✧ You've researched the move ✧
Now put a number
on it.
See what your Georgia → Maine move could actually cost based on your move details—not somebody else's average.
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for your move - Real prices
not guesswork - See it
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Next 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 Georgia, 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
