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 Florida: What to Expect Your First Year
Trading Maine's rugged coastline and crisp winters for Florida's endless sunshine and palm trees sounds like an obvious upgrade, but the reality of this move comes with more surprises than most people expect. Life in Maine runs at its own deliberate pace, shaped by tight knit communities, forested landscapes, and a deep appreciation for all four seasons. Florida, on the other hand, throws a completely different set of variables at you, from year round heat and hurricane season to a booming population and a cost of living that is rising faster than many newcomers anticipate. Our Snappy Scout team (Greg & Vanessa) broke down the costs, logistics, and lifestyle shifts you need to understand before loading up the moving truck and heading south on I-95.
Our Local Experts Guiding Your Move
How to Get from ME to Florida with a Moving Truck
Average distance
1,450miles
Typical route
The drive from Maine to Florida typically follows I-95 South as the primary corridor, passing through major cities along the Eastern Seaboard. Drivers may also use I-295 in Maine and portions of I-4 in Florida depending on the final destination.
Popular moving routes (approx. driving distance):
Portland, ME → Miami, FL
~1500 miles
Bangor, ME → Orlando, FL
~1550 miles
Augusta, ME → Jacksonville, FL
~1350 miles
Portland, ME → Tampa, FL
~1500 miles
Lewiston, ME → Fort Lauderdale, FL
~1500 miles
Should You Move From Maine to Florida Quiz
Take this 10 question quiz to find out if the move to Florida 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.
Decoding the Cost of a ME to Florida Relocation
Moving 1,450 miles from Maine to Florida 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
$1,080.00
1 Bedroom
$1,590.00
2 Bedrooms
$2,610.00
3 Bedrooms
$3,770.00
4 Bedrooms
$5,400.00
5+ Bedrooms
$5,990.00
| Home Size | Moving Cost | Volume (ft³) | $/ft³ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,080.00 | 300 | $3.6 |
| 1 Bedroom | $1,590.00 | 450 | $3.53 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $2,610.00 | 750 | $3.48 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $3,770.00 | 1,100 | $3.43 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $5,400.00 | 1,600 | $3.38 |
| 5+ Bedrooms | $5,990.00 | 1,800 | $3.33 |
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 Settle In in Florida?
Well, it depends. If you're a Surfer Dude, Cowboy, or Gamer, you'll thrive in your move to Florida. But if you're more of a Garden Club Lifetime Member, Coffee Snob, 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 Florida.
Top 3 winners and losers moving from ME to FL
Surfing
Maine
4.5
/10
Florida
9
/10
Maine
Giving up
Cold swells, short summers, but stoke at Higgins.
Florida
Gaining
Ron Jon Surf Shop was practically built for you
Recommended FL cities/areas for Surfer Dudes
Cocoa BeachNew Smyrna Beach
Maine
4.5
/10
Florida
9
/10
Cowboys
Maine
2.5
/10
Florida
6.5
/10
Maine
Giving up
Fryeburg Fair livestock thrills, few open ranges or rodeos.
Florida
Gaining
Rodeos, cattle drives, and swampy boots meet tropical heat.
Recommended FL cities/areas for Cowboys
OkeechobeeKissimmeeOcala
Maine
2.5
/10
Florida
6.5
/10
Gaming
Maine
6
/10
Florida
7.5
/10
Maine
Giving up
Bangor Comic & Toy Con, Orono LANs, decent fiber.
Florida
Gaining
Mega conventions and humid nights spent grinding indoors.
Recommended FL cities/areas for Gamers
OrlandoMiamiTampa
Maine
6
/10
Florida
7.5
/10
Gardener
Maine
8
/10
Florida
5
/10
Maine
Giving up
Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, lilacs thrive, garden tours.
Florida
Gaining
Tropical plants thrive (sorry, not in the panhandle), but summer heat wilts your patience.
Recommended FL cities/areas for Garden Club Lifetime Members
Mount DoraWinter ParkSarasota
Maine
8
/10
Florida
5
/10
Coffee Culture
Maine
9
/10
Florida
7
/10
Maine
Giving up
Tandem cortados, Bard pulls, Speckled Ax roasts.
Florida
Gaining
Cuban espresso rules, but the third-wave scene’s still brewing.
Recommended FL cities/areas for Coffee Snobs
Maine
9
/10
Florida
7
/10
Minimalism
Maine
7.5
/10
Florida
5.5
/10
Maine
Giving up
Small spaces, clean lines, Casco Bay horizon clears clutter.
Florida
Gaining
Luxury condos and bold prints clash with your neutral aesthetic.
Recommended FL cities/areas for Minimalists
Miami BeachNaplesOrlando
Maine
7.5
/10
Florida
5.5
/10
Local Perspective
What moment, smell, or ritual captures the soul of Florida?
All the festivals and outdoor events! That's why I moved here. I wanted to get outside more, and this state caters to that perfectly. No matter what city you're in, rest assured every weekend there is some big market, festival, event, sports club, or other attraction happening somewhere near you (or a short-ish drive away), all year long.
– Vanessa Leikvoll
Florida Local
Lifestyle differences between living in Maine and living in Florida
MaineFlorida
The Local Food Scene Between ME and Florida
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 Florida
This really varies by where in Florida you are. But, generally, Cuban and Latin-inspired food here is very popular, as well as what I refer to as "beach bar food:" coconut shrimp, grouper bites, crab cakes, gator bites, fish tacos, and of course, margaritas (especially spicy ones with a Tajin rim).
I don't think there are any unspoken rules here, per se, except that you always want to get the freshest fish available, such as mahi mahi or grouper, and skip the conventional white fish.
Vanessa LeikvollFlorida Local ExpertME vs Florida: What Moves on Your Tax Return
Maine
Florida
MainevsFlorida
State Income Tax
State Income TaxProgressive 5.8% to 7.15% brackets
None. Sunshine is free, and so is your paycheck.
Maine
Progressive 5.8% to 7.15% brackets
VS
Florida
None. Sunshine is free, and so is your paycheck.
Property Taxes
Property TaxesHighest around Portland and coastal towns, lower in Aroostook, Piscataquis, interior
Moderate overall; Miami-Dade higher, Panhandle pleasantly lower.
Maine
Highest around Portland and coastal towns, lower in Aroostook, Piscataquis, interior
VS
Florida
Moderate overall; Miami-Dade higher, Panhandle pleasantly lower.
How ME and Florida Break Down on Culture, Politics, & Faith
Maine
Florida
MainevsFlorida
People
PeopleYankee reserved but welcoming, wicked helpful, blunt yet kind, tight community vibes, year round hardy
Friendly but eccentric; equal parts laid-back, loud, and lightning-fast with opinions.
Maine
Yankee reserved but welcoming, wicked helpful, blunt yet kind, tight community vibes, year round hardy
VS
Florida
Friendly but eccentric; equal parts laid-back, loud, and lightning-fast with opinions.
Politics
Independent streak, split tickets, cities blue, rural red, first to adopt ranked choice
A wild beach party of red and blue—expect flip-flops and fiery debates.
Maine
Independent streak, split tickets, cities blue, rural red, first to adopt ranked choice
VS
Florida
A wild beach party of red and blue—expect flip-flops and fiery debates.
Religion
ReligionMostly Christian, many unaffiliated, Catholic pockets in Portland and Lewiston, small Jewish and Muslim communities
Mostly Christian, with Catholic and evangelical strongholds; growing Jewish and nonreligious communities.
Maine
Mostly Christian, many unaffiliated, Catholic pockets in Portland and Lewiston, small Jewish and Muslim communities
VS
Florida
Mostly Christian, with Catholic and evangelical strongholds; growing Jewish and nonreligious communities.
How the Seasons Compare Between ME and Florida
SUMMER
Maine
beach day needs a hoodie (sea breeze chills the coast, inland towns flirt with ninety)
Florida
Just plain hot (triple digits and 98% humidity in Miami)
WINTER
Maine
nostril freezing theater (Aroostook goes full deep freeze, Portland stays slushy and stubborn)
Florida
Sweater optional (unless you're in the Panhandle, then it's gloves and regret)
My Favorite Thing About Winter/Spring/Summer/Fall in Florida
I personally love the holiday season in Florida. No matter where in the state you are, every city seems to go all-out with its decorations, lights, festivities, and holiday markets. Everyone thinks Florida is just year-long summer vibes, but we sure know how to put on our holiday best.
Vanessa LeikvollFlorida Local ExpertNext Steps
Learn More About Moving to Florida
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 Florida. No boring census stats... we promise! Just practical real advice from Florida local experts.
Moving toSt. Petersburg
Glow Shuffle, IPAs, HOAs, Flood Maps
