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
Your Maine to KS Relocation Guide: Everything You Need to Know
Trading rocky coastlines and crisp Atlantic air for endless prairie skies is a bigger shift than most people anticipate. Maine and Kansas sit on opposite ends of the American experience, one defined by dense forests, lobster shacks, and a slower coastal rhythm, and the other shaped by wheat fields, tornado season, and a deep sense of wide open freedom. The cost of living difference may look appealing on paper, but the cultural and geographic adjustment catches plenty of newcomers off guard. Our Snappy Scout team (Greg & Jackie) broke down the costs, logistics, and lifestyle changes you need to know before you start loading the moving truck.
Our Local Experts Guiding Your Move
Most Direct Route for a Moving Truck from ME to KS
Average distance
1,750miles
Typical route
I-90 W, I-80 W, I-70 W
Popular moving routes (approx. driving distance):
Portland, ME → Wichita, KS
~1800 miles
Bangor, ME → Kansas City, KS
~1750 miles
Augusta, ME → Topeka, KS
~1750 miles
Lewiston, ME → Overland Park, KS
~1750 miles
Biddeford, ME → Lawrence, KS
~1700 miles
Should You Move From Maine to Kansas Quiz
Take this 10 question quiz to find out if the move to Kansas 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 No-Nonsense ME to KS Moving Cost Breakdown
Moving 1,750 miles from Maine to Kansas 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
$1,270.00
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 Work in KS?
Well, it depends. If you're a Binge Shopper, PTA President, or Stay at Home Mom, you'll thrive in your move to Kansas. But if you're more of a Coffee Snob, Hipster, or Craft Beer Fan, 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 Kansas.
Top 3 winners and losers moving from ME to KS
Shopping
Maine
2.5
/10
Kansas
5
/10
Maine
Giving up
Outlets scratch itch, limited luxury spree, thrifting bonanza
Kansas
Gaining
Oak Park Mall works for mainstream shopping, but high-end retail and trendy boutiques require road trips to bigger cities.
Recommended KS cities/areas for Binge Shoppers
Maine
2.5
/10
Kansas
5
/10
PTA Life
Maine
6.5
/10
Kansas
8
/10
Maine
Giving up
Beach to Beacon 10K, Yarmouth Clam Festival, Falmouth Fall Classic.
Kansas
Gaining
Top-rated schools with a strong parent and community involvement culture
Recommended KS cities/areas for PTA Presidents
LeawoodOlatheDeSoto
Maine
6.5
/10
Kansas
8
/10
Stay At Home Moms
Maine
7
/10
Kansas
8.5
/10
Maine
Giving up
Top schools, Sea Dogs nights, easy beach days.
Kansas
Gaining
Family-friendly suburbs within the Kansas City metro, convenience nearby, and mommy-and-me yoga classes at every strip mall.
Recommended KS cities/areas for Stay at Home Moms
Maine
7
/10
Kansas
8.5
/10
Coffee Culture
Maine
9
/10
Kansas
6
/10
Maine
Giving up
Tandem cortados, Bard pulls, Speckled Ax roasts.
Kansas
Gaining
The Roost and local roasters deliver legit specialty roasts, even if the scene is smaller.
Recommended KS cities/areas for Coffee Snobs
Maine
9
/10
Kansas
6
/10
Hipsters
Maine
8.5
/10
Kansas
5.5
/10
Maine
Giving up
Portland Flea For All, artists filling Biddeford mills.
Kansas
Gaining
Massachusetts Street delivers indie bookstores, record shops, and coffee culture, just on a smaller, more low-key scale.
Recommended KS cities/areas for Hipsters
Maine
8.5
/10
Kansas
5.5
/10
Craft Beer Culture
Maine
9.5
/10
Kansas
7
/10
Maine
Giving up
Allagash tours, Bissell Brothers cans, hoppy heaven.
Kansas
Gaining
Free State Brewing in Lawrence anchors Kansas's craft beer scene with Midwest favorites.
Recommended KS cities/areas for Craft Beer Fans
Maine
9.5
/10
Kansas
7
/10
Local Perspective
What moment, smell, or ritual captures the soul of Kansas?
It's got to be the leaves. The closest town to our rural home is called Baldwin City. I also work in this town and my sons attend school here. Needless to say, we spend a lot of time in Baldwin. The town's "claim to fame" is the humble maple leaf, celebrated in a million different ways throughout the year, with the culmination being The Maple Leaf Festival every October. Our sleepy town welcomes 30,000 + visitors for food, fun and, of course, foliage.
– Jackie Hostetler
Kansas Local
Lifestyle differences between living in Maine and living in Kansas
MaineKansas
ME to KS: A Food Lover's Guide to Eating
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 Kansas
Barbecue is the word, specifically burnt ends. One joint in particular, Gates Barbecue, with locations on both the Kansas and Missouri side, has a unique approach. The literal second you walk through the door, you are expected to order, and they aren't shy (or quiet) if you take too long. The ordering process alone has scared away many an outsider.
Jackie HostetlerKansas Local ExpertThe Real Tax Impact of Moving to KS from ME
Maine
Kansas
MainevsKansas
State Income Tax
State Income TaxProgressive 5.8% to 7.15% brackets
3.1% to 5.7% across three brackets
Maine
Progressive 5.8% to 7.15% brackets
VS
Kansas
3.1% to 5.7% across three brackets
Property Taxes
Property TaxesHighest around Portland and coastal towns, lower in Aroostook, Piscataquis, interior
Moderate statewide, Johnson County higher, rural areas lower
Maine
Highest around Portland and coastal towns, lower in Aroostook, Piscataquis, interior
VS
Kansas
Moderate statewide, Johnson County higher, rural areas lower
From ME to KS: How Values, Beliefs, & Politics Shift
Maine
Kansas
MainevsKansas
People
PeopleYankee reserved but welcoming, wicked helpful, blunt yet kind, tight community vibes, year round hardy
Genuinely warm, down to earth, with Midwestern values and neighborly instincts
Maine
Yankee reserved but welcoming, wicked helpful, blunt yet kind, tight community vibes, year round hardy
VS
Kansas
Genuinely warm, down to earth, with Midwestern values and neighborly instincts
Politics
Independent streak, split tickets, cities blue, rural red, first to adopt ranked choice
Solidly red statewide, though Lawrence and parts of Kansas City lean left
Maine
Independent streak, split tickets, cities blue, rural red, first to adopt ranked choice
VS
Kansas
Solidly red statewide, though Lawrence and parts of Kansas City lean left
Religion
ReligionMostly Christian, many unaffiliated, Catholic pockets in Portland and Lewiston, small Jewish and Muslim communities
Predominantly Christian, strong Evangelical and Catholic communities
Maine
Mostly Christian, many unaffiliated, Catholic pockets in Portland and Lewiston, small Jewish and Muslim communities
VS
Kansas
Predominantly Christian, strong Evangelical and Catholic communities
How Weather Look Different When You Move from ME to KS
SUMMER
Maine
beach day needs a hoodie (sea breeze chills the coast, inland towns flirt with ninety)
Kansas
standing on hot asphalt in a sauna (mid 90s with bonus humidity)
WINTER
Maine
nostril freezing theater (Aroostook goes full deep freeze, Portland stays slushy and stubborn)
Kansas
all about scraping the ice (single digits happen regularly)
My Favorite Thing About Winter/Spring/Summer/Fall in Kansas
I love that Kansas is a "four seasons" state. We get the best of everything; a little snow, a little sun, and stunning foliage in the fall.
Jackie HostetlerKansas Local ExpertNext Steps
Learn More About Moving to Kansas
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 Kansas. No boring census stats... we promise! Just practical real advice from Kansas local experts.
Moving toLawrence
Pack Birkenstocks and Tornado App
Moving toManhattan
Prepare for Purple, Prairie, and Tailgates
Moving toOverland Park
Brace for Strip Malls and Soccer Tournaments
