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
Relocating from Maine to Idaho: What It Really Costs
Swapping the rocky Atlantic coastline of Maine for the high desert plains and jagged mountain ranges of Idaho is a trade that comes with far more contrast than most movers anticipate. Maine offers dense forest, coastal charm, and a slow, deliberate pace of life rooted in generations of tradition. Idaho, on the other hand, serves up wide open terrain, a booming population, and a rugged outdoor culture that runs deep. The two states share a quiet, independent spirit, but nearly everything else, from the climate to the cost of living to the local culture, tells a different story. Our Snappy Scout team (Greg & Chandi) dug into the costs, logistics, and lifestyle shifts you need to know before you start loading the truck.
Our Local Experts Guiding Your Move
ME to ID: Distance, Route, and Drive Time
Average distance
2,750miles
Typical route
I-90 W and I-84 W are the major highways you'd drive to get from Maine to Idaho
Popular moving routes (approx. driving distance):
Portland, ME → Boise, ID
~2750 miles
Bangor, ME → Boise, ID
~2800 miles
Augusta, ME → Idaho Falls, ID
~2850 miles
Portland, ME → Nampa, ID
~2750 miles
Lewiston, ME → Pocatello, ID
~2900 miles
Should You Move From Maine to Idaho Quiz
Take this 10 question quiz to find out if the move to Idaho 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.
Your Full ME to ID Moving Cost Breakdown
Moving 2,750 miles from Maine to Idaho 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 Will Your Current ME Lifestyle Fit in ID?
Well, it depends. If you're a Tech Bro, Binge Shopper, or Homesteader, you'll thrive in your move to Idaho. But if you're more of a Retired Snowbird, Surfer Dude, or Coffee Snob, 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 Idaho.
Top 3 winners and losers moving from ME to ID
Tech Scene
Maine
4
/10
Idaho
6.5
/10
Maine
Giving up
Remote friendly Portland startups, fewer unicorns than Kendall Square.
Idaho
Gaining
Micron HQ, HP campus, scrappy startups over unicorns
Recommended ID cities/areas for Tech Bros
Maine
4
/10
Idaho
6.5
/10
Shopping
Maine
2.5
/10
Idaho
4
/10
Maine
Giving up
Outlets scratch itch, limited luxury spree, thrifting bonanza
Idaho
Gaining
Boise Towne Square scratches itch, but luxury flagships rarely land
Recommended ID cities/areas for Binge Shoppers
Maine
2.5
/10
Idaho
4
/10
Homesteading
Maine
8
/10
Idaho
9
/10
Maine
Giving up
Organic gardening roots, cheap acreage, hearty winters build grit.
Idaho
Gaining
Acreage, Snake River water, Caldwell farm auctions, supportive laws
Recommended ID cities/areas for Homesteaders
EmmettCaldwellBonners FerrySandpoint
Maine
8
/10
Idaho
9
/10
Snowbirds
Maine
7.5
/10
Idaho
4.5
/10
Maine
Giving up
Blissful summers, then head south after Fryeburg Fair.
Idaho
Gaining
Enjoy summer perfection, but long winters chase many to Arizona
Recommended ID cities/areas for Retired Snowbirds
Maine
7.5
/10
Idaho
4.5
/10
Surfing
Maine
4.5
/10
Idaho
3
/10
Maine
Giving up
Cold swells, short summers, but stoke at Higgins.
Idaho
Gaining
Boise Whitewater Park waves, but Pacific barrels live far away
Recommended ID cities/areas for Surfer Dudes
Boise Whitewater ParkSandpointCoeur d'Alene
Maine
4.5
/10
Idaho
3
/10
Coffee Culture
Maine
9
/10
Idaho
8
/10
Maine
Giving up
Tandem cortados, Bard pulls, Speckled Ax roasts.
Idaho
Gaining
Dawson Taylor roasts, Push and Pour patios, latte art
Recommended ID cities/areas for Coffee Snobs
Maine
9
/10
Idaho
8
/10
Local Perspective
What moment, smell, or ritual captures the soul of Idaho?
Ashton and Island Park area are where I call home. I know I'm here when I smell the fresh pines. In the Idaho Falls area, it's sage after a rain storm. And my pre-hike ritual always ends with grabbing bear spray on my way out the door.
– Chandi Lyn
Idaho Local
Lifestyle differences between living in Maine and living in Idaho
MaineIdaho
The Dining Culture Between ME and ID
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 Idaho
Many restaurants have Navajo tacos on the menu. It's a Western favorite and there's nothing special to ordering it — though you should ask what the spice level is if you're sensitive to that.
Chandi LynIdaho Local ExpertME vs ID: What Hits Different on Your Tax Return
Maine
Idaho
MainevsIdaho
State Income Tax
State Income TaxProgressive 5.8% to 7.15% brackets
Flat 5.8% statewide, grocery tax credit helps offset food sales tax
Maine
Progressive 5.8% to 7.15% brackets
VS
Idaho
Flat 5.8% statewide, grocery tax credit helps offset food sales tax
Property Taxes
Property TaxesHighest around Portland and coastal towns, lower in Aroostook, Piscataquis, interior
Ada and Kootenai higher with rapid growth, Eastern Idaho lower, homestead exemption helps
Maine
Highest around Portland and coastal towns, lower in Aroostook, Piscataquis, interior
VS
Idaho
Ada and Kootenai higher with rapid growth, Eastern Idaho lower, homestead exemption helps
From ME to ID: How Culture, Politics, & Faith Change
Maine
Idaho
MainevsIdaho
People
PeopleYankee reserved but welcoming, wicked helpful, blunt yet kind, tight community vibes, year round hardy
Outdoorsy, neighborly, generally welcoming, always willing to pitch in and help
Maine
Yankee reserved but welcoming, wicked helpful, blunt yet kind, tight community vibes, year round hardy
VS
Idaho
Outdoorsy, neighborly, generally welcoming, always willing to pitch in and help
Politics
Independent streak, split tickets, cities blue, rural red, first to adopt ranked choice
Deep red statewide, Boise city tilts blue, Moscow and Sun Valley are progressive pockets
Maine
Independent streak, split tickets, cities blue, rural red, first to adopt ranked choice
VS
Idaho
Deep red statewide, Boise city tilts blue, Moscow and Sun Valley are progressive pockets
Religion
ReligionMostly Christian, many unaffiliated, Catholic pockets in Portland and Lewiston, small Jewish and Muslim communities
Mostly Christian, strong LDS in eastern Idaho, evangelicals statewide, unaffiliated rising in Boise
Maine
Mostly Christian, many unaffiliated, Catholic pockets in Portland and Lewiston, small Jewish and Muslim communities
VS
Idaho
Mostly Christian, strong LDS in eastern Idaho, evangelicals statewide, unaffiliated rising in Boise
How Weather Change When You Move from ME to ID
SUMMER
Maine
beach day needs a hoodie (sea breeze chills the coast, inland towns flirt with ninety)
Idaho
High desert broiler mode (triple digits in Treasure Valley, breezy at the lakes up north).
WINTER
Maine
nostril freezing theater (Aroostook goes full deep freeze, Portland stays slushy and stubborn)
Idaho
Icebox roulette vibe (Idaho Falls and Rexburg bitter cold, Boise inversion gloom, Panhandle snow globe).
My Favorite Thing About Winter/Spring/Summer/Fall in Idaho
WINTER — the views. The fresh snow covers everything and makes it feel magical. During particularly cold nights, I love to go outside and shine my flashlight on the trees and rocks. The whole world is covered in fairy dust.
SPRING — the crocus. They push up through the snow and offer color to the slushy.
SUMMER — the weather! It's perfect and beautiful.
FALL — bottling my harvest for the year. Fresh jams, peaches, salsa, and everything else! Also hunting. I love having a freezer full of elk.
Chandi LynIdaho Local ExpertNext Steps
Learn More About Moving to Idaho
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 Idaho. No boring census stats... we promise! Just practical real advice from Idaho local experts.
Moving toBoise
Blue Turf Brags, Basque Bites, Built-In Bragging Rights
Moving toIdaho Falls
INL Tech By Day, Greenbelt Tacos By Night.
