Maine Local Expert
Greg Reid
“I moved to Maine before it was trendy, stayed when it got crowded, and 28 years later I still love…”
Read more about me
Moving to California from ME: The Honest Culture Comparison
Trading lobster rolls for fish tacos is just the beginning of what awaits when you pack up life in Maine and head to the West Coast. The contrast between these two states could hardly be more extreme, from the tight knit coastal towns and fierce winters of New England to the sprawling urban energy and year round sunshine California delivers. What looks on paper like a simple upgrade in weather quickly reveals itself as a full lifestyle overhaul once you actually arrive. Our Snappy Scout team (Greg & Jessica) dug into the costs, logistics, and cultural shifts you need to understand before loading that moving truck and pointing it west.
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Hauling Your Own Move from ME to California
Average distance
3,100miles
Typical route
The drive from Maine to California typically takes you along I-90 W across the northern United States, transitioning to I-80 W through the Midwest and into California, or alternatively using I-40 W through the southern route.
Popular moving routes (approx. driving distance):
Portland, ME → Los Angeles, CA
~3150 miles
Portland, ME → San Francisco, CA
~3100 miles
Bangor, ME → San Diego, CA
~3250 miles
Augusta, ME → Sacramento, CA
~3050 miles
Lewiston, ME → San Jose, CA
~3100 miles
Should You Move From Maine to California Quiz
Take this 10 question quiz to find out if the move to California from Maine 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.
Demystifying the Cost of a ME to California Move
Moving 3,100 miles from Maine to California 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
$1,270.00
1 Bedroom
$1,870.00
2 Bedrooms
$3,080.00
3 Bedrooms
$4,460.00
4 Bedrooms
$6,410.00
5+ Bedrooms
$7,120.00
| Home Size | Moving Cost | Volume (ft³) | $/ft³ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,270.00 | 300 | $4.23 |
| 1 Bedroom | $1,870.00 | 450 | $4.16 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $3,080.00 | 750 | $4.11 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $4,460.00 | 1,100 | $4.05 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $6,410.00 | 1,600 | $4.01 |
| 5+ Bedrooms | $7,120.00 | 1,800 | $3.96 |
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.
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Is California Right for Your Sensibilities?
Well, it depends. If you're a Surfer Dude, Beach Bum, or Vintage Thrifter, you'll thrive in your move to California. But if you're more of a Garden Club Lifetime Member, Craft Beer Fan, or Minimalist, 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 Maine to California.
Top 3 winners and losers moving from ME to CA
Surfing
Maine
4.5
/10
California
10
/10
Maine
Giving up
Cold swells, short summers, but stoke at Higgins.
California
Gaining
Huntington Pier mornings, Malibu points, Santa Cruz Boardwalk vibes
Recommended CA cities/areas for Surfer Dudes
Huntington BeachSanta CruzMalibu
Maine
4.5
/10
California
10
/10
Beach Culture
Maine
4
/10
California
9
/10
Maine
Giving up
Old Orchard boardwalk fun, chilly water, narrow beaches at tide.
California
Gaining
Santa Monica Pier sunsets, PCH cruising, sleepy Santa Barbara shoreline hideaways
Recommended CA cities/areas for Beach Bums
Maine
4
/10
California
9
/10
Thrifting
Maine
7
/10
California
8.5
/10
Maine
Giving up
Portland Architectural Salvage, Cabot Mill Antiques hauls.
California
Gaining
Rose Bowl Flea scoops, Crossroads hunts, Wasteland gold
Recommended CA cities/areas for Vintage Thrifters
MelroseHaight-AshburyLong Beach Retro Row
Maine
7
/10
California
8.5
/10
Gardener
Maine
8
/10
California
6
/10
Maine
Giving up
Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, lilacs thrive, garden tours.
California
Gaining
Huntington Library blooms, Filoli tours, Luther Burbank roses
Recommended CA cities/areas for Garden Club Lifetime Members
PasadenaCarmel-by-the-SeaSanta Rosa
Maine
8
/10
California
6
/10
Craft Beer Culture
Maine
9.5
/10
California
9
/10
Maine
Giving up
Allagash tours, Bissell Brothers cans, hoppy heaven.
California
Gaining
Stone pours, Pliny hype, Sierra Nevada tours
Recommended CA cities/areas for Craft Beer Fans
San DiegoSanta RosaChico
Maine
9.5
/10
California
9
/10
Minimalism
Maine
7.5
/10
California
7
/10
Maine
Giving up
Small spaces, clean lines, Casco Bay horizon clears clutter.
California
Gaining
Clean design, tiny homes, desert modernism
Recommended CA cities/areas for Minimalists
Maine
7.5
/10
California
7
/10
Local Perspective
What moment, smell, or ritual captures the soul of California?
I adore the smell of pine when I’m camping away from the city. It’s a reminder that even with all the traffic, commotion, overcrowding, pollution, and noise, there are places for stillness and quiet reflection. Before I unload the car and set up at the campsite, I take a few minutes to fill my lungs with the fresh air.
– Jessica Montes
California Local
Lifestyle differences between living in Maine and living in California
MaineCalifornia
The Eating Scene Between ME and California
Eating 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 ExpertEating Like a Local in California
You can start the morning with an iced oat latte, grab an double-double with animal style fries (cheese, onions, and special sauce) from In-and-Out for lunch, and end with street dogs after a show. Also know as danger dogs, these bun-wrapped meals are topped with grilled onions and bell peppers. You can find the vendors outside of clubs/ bars on the weekends or by the dozens in concert parking lots. Why waste time driving when dinner is right in front of you?
Jessica MontesCalifornia Local ExpertCalifornia looking like
the right move?
There’s one more number worth knowing: what it’ll cost to get there.
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ME vs California: What Changes on Your Tax Return
Maine
California
MainevsCalifornia
State Income Tax
State Income TaxProgressive 5.8% to 7.15% brackets
Progressive 1% to 12.3%, plus 1% mental health surcharge over $1M
Maine
Progressive 5.8% to 7.15% brackets
VS
California
Progressive 1% to 12.3%, plus 1% mental health surcharge over $1M
Property Taxes
Property TaxesHighest around Portland and coastal towns, lower in Aroostook, Piscataquis, interior
Prop 13 around 1% base, bigger add ons in LA and SF, lower inland
Maine
Highest around Portland and coastal towns, lower in Aroostook, Piscataquis, interior
VS
California
Prop 13 around 1% base, bigger add ons in LA and SF, lower inland
How ME and California Stack Up on People, Politics, & Religion
Maine
California
MainevsCalifornia
People
PeopleYankee reserved but welcoming, wicked helpful, blunt yet kind, tight community vibes, year round hardy
Laid back yet hustling, diverse, outdoorsy, friendly, occasionally impatient behind the wheel
Maine
Yankee reserved but welcoming, wicked helpful, blunt yet kind, tight community vibes, year round hardy
VS
California
Laid back yet hustling, diverse, outdoorsy, friendly, occasionally impatient behind the wheel
Politics
Independent streak, split tickets, cities blue, rural red, first to adopt ranked choice
Solidly blue statewide, coastal cities are progressive, inland valleys and Sierras lean conservative
Maine
Independent streak, split tickets, cities blue, rural red, first to adopt ranked choice
VS
California
Solidly blue statewide, coastal cities are progressive, inland valleys and Sierras lean conservative
Religion
ReligionMostly Christian, many unaffiliated, Catholic pockets in Portland and Lewiston, small Jewish and Muslim communities
No majority, many unaffiliated, big Catholic share, notable Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh
Maine
Mostly Christian, many unaffiliated, Catholic pockets in Portland and Lewiston, small Jewish and Muslim communities
VS
California
No majority, many unaffiliated, big Catholic share, notable Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh
How the Weather Differ Between ME and California
SUMMER
Maine
beach day needs a hoodie (sea breeze chills the coast, inland towns flirt with ninety)
California
microclimate roulette wheel (June gloom hugs the coast, blast furnace rules the Central Valley)
WINTER
Maine
nostril freezing theater (Aroostook goes full deep freeze, Portland stays slushy and stubborn)
California
dress in layers, call it winter (Bay gets nippy, Sierras turns icebox, desert nights bite)
My Favorite Thing About Winter/Spring/Summer/Fall in California
I love apple picking in Fall in Oakglen. Most farms make it a whole, family-friendly event where you can poke through corn mazes, ride tractors, and make your own cider. You’ll try apple varieties you’ve never heard of that have the perfect crunch.
Jessica MontesCalifornia Local Expert✧ You've researched the move ✧
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Next Steps
Learn More About Moving to California
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 Maine, take a deeper dive into the specifics of moving to California. No boring census stats... we promise! Just practical real advice from California local experts.
Moving toAnaheim
Trade Your Wallet for a Mouse Ears Passport
Moving toBakersfield
Brace for Heat, Basque Food & Buck Owens
Moving toIndio
Pack Sunscreen and Lower Your Coffee Standards
