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
Leaving Maine for Colorado: Which State Wins?
Swapping rocky Atlantic coastline for the towering Rockies is a trade that looks breathtaking on paper, but the reality of daily life in Colorado will catch plenty of Maine transplants off guard. Maine offers tight knit communities, dense forests, and a slower coastal pace, while Colorado answers back with high altitude adventure, booming Front Range cities, and a western energy that never quite sits still. Our Snappy Scout team (Greg & Heidi) dug into the costs, logistics, and lifestyle shifts you should be ready for before you load up the moving truck.
Our Local Experts Guiding Your Move
The Route from Maine to CO
Average distance
2,150miles
Typical route
A typical drive from Maine to Colorado follows I-90 W across New England and the Midwest, then connects to I-80 W or I-76 W through Nebraska and into Colorado.
Popular moving routes (approx. driving distance):
Portland, ME → Denver, CO
~2150 miles
Bangor, ME → Denver, CO
~2200 miles
Augusta, ME → Colorado Springs, CO
~2200 miles
Portland, ME → Boulder, CO
~2150 miles
Lewiston, ME → Fort Collins, CO
~2100 miles
Should You Move From Maine to Colorado Quiz
Take this 10 question quiz to find out if the move to Colorado 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 Maine to CO Relocation
Moving 2,150 miles from Maine to Colorado 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.
How Well Will You Fit In in CO?
Well, it depends. If you're a Yoga Instructor, CrossFit Regular, or Cowboy, you'll thrive in your move to Colorado. But if you're more of a Garden Club Lifetime Member, Farmer's Market Regular, or Homesteader, 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 Colorado.
Top 3 winners and losers moving from ME to CO
Yoga
Maine
7
/10
Colorado
9.5
/10
Maine
Giving up
Sunrise flows at Portland Head Light, mellow harbors.
Colorado
Gaining
Mountain zen and Red Rocks Yoga sessions thrive.
Recommended CO cities/areas for Yoga Instructors
BoulderAspenTelluride
Maine
7
/10
Colorado
9.5
/10
Fitness
Maine
7
/10
Colorado
9
/10
Maine
Giving up
Winter WODs, Tough Mountain and Wife-Carrying comps
Colorado
Gaining
High altitude training and Olympic Training Center fuel gains.
Recommended CO cities/areas for CrossFit Regulars
DenverColorado Springs
Maine
7
/10
Colorado
9
/10
Cowboys
Maine
2.5
/10
Colorado
3.5
/10
Maine
Giving up
Fryeburg Fair livestock thrills, few open ranges or rodeos.
Colorado
Gaining
National Western Stock Show happens but ski culture dominates.
Recommended CO cities/areas for Cowboys
Steamboat SpringsGreeley
Maine
2.5
/10
Colorado
3.5
/10
Gardener
Maine
8
/10
Colorado
5.5
/10
Maine
Giving up
Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, lilacs thrive, garden tours.
Colorado
Gaining
Denver Botanic Gardens inspire but short season and altitude challenge.
Recommended CO cities/areas for Garden Club Lifetime Members
Fort CollinsDurango
Maine
8
/10
Colorado
5.5
/10
Farmer's Markets
Maine
8.5
/10
Colorado
7.5
/10
Maine
Giving up
Portland Farmers Market in Deering Oaks, Brunswick winter market bounty.
Colorado
Gaining
Boulder Farmers Market and Palisade peaches steal the show.
Recommended CO cities/areas for Farmer's Market Regulars
BoulderDenverDurango
Maine
8.5
/10
Colorado
7.5
/10
Homesteading
Maine
8
/10
Colorado
7
/10
Maine
Giving up
Organic gardening roots, cheap acreage, hearty winters build grit.
Colorado
Gaining
Land available but high prices and altitude challenge newcomers.
Recommended CO cities/areas for Homesteaders
San Luis Valleyrural Western Slopes
Maine
8
/10
Colorado
7
/10
Local Perspective
What moment, smell, or ritual captures the soul of Colorado?
It’s the first breath when I get back from traveling. Colorado air is thin and dry, but it somehow feels lighter and cleaner. Everywhere else feels heavier, and coming home makes it feel easier to breathe again.
– Heidi Lim
Colorado Local
Lifestyle differences between living in Maine and living in Colorado
MaineColorado
The Eating Differences Between Maine and CO
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 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 ExpertMaine vs CO: What Shifts on Your Tax Return
Maine
Colorado
MainevsColorado
State Income Tax
State Income TaxProgressive 5.8% to 7.15% brackets
Flat 4.4% on all income
Maine
Progressive 5.8% to 7.15% brackets
VS
Colorado
Flat 4.4% on all income
Property Taxes
Property TaxesHighest around Portland and coastal towns, lower in Aroostook, Piscataquis, interior
Broomfield and Boulder areas higher, rural counties lower
Maine
Highest around Portland and coastal towns, lower in Aroostook, Piscataquis, interior
VS
Colorado
Broomfield and Boulder areas higher, rural counties lower
How Maine and CO Stack Up on Culture, Politics, & Faith
Maine
Colorado
MainevsColorado
People
PeopleYankee reserved but welcoming, wicked helpful, blunt yet kind, tight community vibes, year round hardy
Casual and low-key, friendly but hands-off, and deeply appreciative of sunshine and flexible plans
Maine
Yankee reserved but welcoming, wicked helpful, blunt yet kind, tight community vibes, year round hardy
VS
Colorado
Casual and low-key, friendly but hands-off, and deeply appreciative of sunshine and flexible plans
Politics
Independent streak, split tickets, cities blue, rural red, first to adopt ranked choice
Purple turned blue, Front Range liberal, Western Slope conservative
Maine
Independent streak, split tickets, cities blue, rural red, first to adopt ranked choice
VS
Colorado
Purple turned blue, Front Range liberal, Western Slope conservative
Religion
ReligionMostly Christian, many unaffiliated, Catholic pockets in Portland and Lewiston, small Jewish and Muslim communities
Mostly Christian with large unaffiliated population, growing secular
Maine
Mostly Christian, many unaffiliated, Catholic pockets in Portland and Lewiston, small Jewish and Muslim communities
VS
Colorado
Mostly Christian with large unaffiliated population, growing secular
How the Climate Compare Between Maine and CO
SUMMER
Maine
beach day needs a hoodie (sea breeze chills the coast, inland towns flirt with ninety)
Colorado
crispy mornings, scorching afternoons (90s on the Front Range)
WINTER
Maine
nostril freezing theater (Aroostook goes full deep freeze, Portland stays slushy and stubborn)
Colorado
bluebird perfection interrupted by arctic blasts (mountains stay frozen)
My Favorite Thing About Winter/Spring/Summer/Fall in Colorado
The transition from summer to fall is one of my favorite times of year. The leaves turn, the air cools just enough, and driving through the mountains for leaf peeping feels like a warm, cozy hug before winter settles in.
Heidi LimColorado Local ExpertNext Steps
Learn More About Moving to Colorado
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 Colorado. No boring census stats... we promise! Just practical real advice from Colorado local experts.
Moving toAurora
Pack Your Subaru and Learn to Love Havana Street
Moving toLoveland
Prepare for Sculpture Parks and Wind
