Illinois Local Expert
Hannah Swieczka
“She read "Weird Illinois" as a kid and is now convinced most things have a haunted history.”
See full bio
Moving from Illinois to ME: What Life Is Really Like
Trading the flat, windswept plains of the Midwest for the rocky coastlines of New England is a bigger lifestyle shift than most people anticipate. Illinois offers sprawling urban energy in Chicago and a slower, agricultural pace downstate, while Maine swaps all of that for dense pine forests, small harbor towns, and winters that demand genuine respect. The cost of living, the culture, and even the pace of daily life look quite different once you cross state lines. Our Snappy Scout team (Hannah & Greg) broke down the costs, logistics, and lifestyle changes you should expect before packing the first box.
Who's Behind This Guide
The Drive from IL to Maine: What to Expect
Average distance
1,450miles
Typical route
I-90 E and I-95 N
Popular moving routes (approx. driving distance):
Chicago, IL → Portland, ME
~1400 miles
Springfield, IL → Augusta, ME
~1500 miles
Rockford, IL → Bangor, ME
~1450 miles
Peoria, IL → Portland, ME
~1500 miles
Aurora, IL → Lewiston, ME
~1400 miles
What Does It Actually Cost to Move from IL to Maine?
Moving 1,450 miles from Illinois 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
4–11days
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.
Will Your Lifestyle Hold Up in Maine?
Well, it depends. If you're a Retired Snowbird, Adventure Junkie, or Surfer Dude, you'll thrive in your move to Maine. But if you're more of a Binge Shopper, PTA President, or College Student, 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 Illinois to Maine.
Top 3 winners and losers moving from IL to ME
Adventure Activities
Illinois
6
/10
Maine
9.5
/10
Illinois
Giving up
Canyons, Garden of the Gods, quick weekend escapes.
Maine
Gaining
Acadia hikes and Katahdin summit awaits
Recommended ME cities/areas for Adventure Junkies
MillinocketBar Harbor
Illinois
6
/10
Maine
9.5
/10
Snowbirds
Illinois
4.5
/10
Maine
7.5
/10
Illinois
Giving up
Charming summers, but Lake Michigan winters chase you south.
Maine
Gaining
Blissful summers, then head south after Fryeburg Fair.
Recommended ME cities/areas for Retired Snowbirds
KennebunkportCamden
Illinois
4.5
/10
Maine
7.5
/10
Surfing
Illinois
3
/10
Maine
4.5
/10
Illinois
Giving up
Closest waves are windswell on Lake Michigan, sorry brah.
Maine
Gaining
Cold swells, short summers, but stoke at Higgins.
Recommended ME cities/areas for Surfer Dudes
Higgins BeachOgunquit
Illinois
3
/10
Maine
4.5
/10
Shopping
Illinois
8.5
/10
Maine
2.5
/10
Illinois
Giving up
Michigan Avenue sprees, plus suburban hauls for days.
Maine
Gaining
Outlets scratch itch, limited luxury spree, thrifting bonanza
Recommended ME cities/areas for Binge Shoppers
Illinois
8.5
/10
Maine
2.5
/10
PTA Life
Illinois
8
/10
Maine
6.5
/10
Illinois
Giving up
Top rated schools, Naperville Centennial Beach, weekend carpool Olympics.
Maine
Gaining
Beach to Beacon 10K, Yarmouth Clam Festival, Falmouth Fall Classic.
Recommended ME cities/areas for PTA Presidents
Cape ElizabethFalmouthYarmouth
Illinois
8
/10
Maine
6.5
/10
University Life
Illinois
9
/10
Maine
8
/10
Illinois
Giving up
UIUC, Northwestern, UChicago campuses buzzing with life.
Maine
Gaining
UMaine hockey, Bowdoin quads, Colby museum free, UNE health sciences campus
Recommended ME cities/areas for College Students
Illinois
9
/10
Maine
8
/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 Illinois and living in Maine
IllinoisMaine
From IL to Maine: How Your Plate Shifts
Eating Like a Local in Illinois
While Chicago is all about deep dish pizza and Italian beef, Illinois has a much more mature palate. Depending on which exact city or suburb you find yourself in, the locals may eat differently. Rule #1, avoid chain restaurants (with the exception of Chicago-based chains, such as Portillo's Hot Dogs). Otherwise, find the mom & pop restaurant and trust your instinct! Any place named after a person won't steer you wrong.
Hannah SwieczkaIllinois 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 ExpertWhat the Move from IL to Maine Does for Your Tax Future
Illinois
Maine
IllinoisvsMaine
State Income Tax
State Income TaxFlat 4.95% statewide
Progressive 5.8% to 7.15% brackets
Illinois
Flat 4.95% statewide
VS
Maine
Progressive 5.8% to 7.15% brackets
Property Taxes
Property TaxesAmong highest nationally, Cook County complex, suburban collar counties high, downstate generally lower
Highest around Portland and coastal towns, lower in Aroostook, Piscataquis, interior
Illinois
Among highest nationally, Cook County complex, suburban collar counties high, downstate generally lower
VS
Maine
Highest around Portland and coastal towns, lower in Aroostook, Piscataquis, interior
Moving to Maine from IL: The Cultural, Political, & Religious Shift
Illinois
Maine
IllinoisvsMaine
People
PeoplePolite Midwesterners, Chicago hustle, small town neighborly, sports obsessed, weather tough
Yankee reserved but welcoming, wicked helpful, blunt yet kind, tight community vibes, year round hardy
Illinois
Polite Midwesterners, Chicago hustle, small town neighborly, sports obsessed, weather tough
VS
Maine
Yankee reserved but welcoming, wicked helpful, blunt yet kind, tight community vibes, year round hardy
Politics
Reliably blue statewide, Chicago deep Democratic, suburbs trend blue, downstate more conservative
Independent streak, split tickets, cities blue, rural red, first to adopt ranked choice
Illinois
Reliably blue statewide, Chicago deep Democratic, suburbs trend blue, downstate more conservative
VS
Maine
Independent streak, split tickets, cities blue, rural red, first to adopt ranked choice
Religion
ReligionMostly Christian, strong Catholic in Chicago, notable evangelical downstate, sizable Muslim and Jewish, rising unaffiliated
Mostly Christian, many unaffiliated, Catholic pockets in Portland and Lewiston, small Jewish and Muslim communities
Illinois
Mostly Christian, strong Catholic in Chicago, notable evangelical downstate, sizable Muslim and Jewish, rising unaffiliated
VS
Maine
Mostly Christian, many unaffiliated, Catholic pockets in Portland and Lewiston, small Jewish and Muslim communities
The Real Seasonal Reality: IL vs Maine
SUMMER
Illinois
Cornfield steam bath - sticky 90s from Chicago to Carbondale, perfect for iced coffee and complaining about humidity
Maine
beach day needs a hoodie (sea breeze chills the coast, inland towns flirt with ninety)
WINTER
Illinois
Face-numbing cold (lakefront stings)
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 Illinois, 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 toPortland
Bring your dog, your Subaru, your HOP hoodie and your Red Sox cap.
Moving toAugusta
Prep for Slanted Floors and Seven Bridges
