Maine Local Expert
Greg Reid
“He gets hiccups if you touch his chin just right, and is convinced it’ll win a talent contest some day.”
See full bio
Moving to New Jersey from ME: What Life Is Really Like
Trading lobster shacks and quiet coastlines for the buzzing energy of the Garden State is a bigger shift than most people anticipate. Maine offers a slower, more rural pace of life where space is abundant, winters are brutal, and neighbors are few. New Jersey flips nearly all of that, dropping you into one of the most densely populated states in the country, with a cost of living to match and a surprising amount of personality packed into a small footprint. Our Snappy Scout team (Greg & Diane) dug into the costs, logistics, and lifestyle adjustments you should expect before packing the first box.
Who's Behind This Guide
Maine to NJ Distance Breakdown
Average distance
350miles
Typical route
I-95 South and I-295 South are the primary highways used when driving from Maine to New Jersey, with I-495 and the New Jersey Turnpike (I-95) also commonly used for the final stretch into New Jersey.
Popular moving routes (approx. driving distance):
Portland, ME → Newark, NJ
~350 miles
Bangor, ME → Trenton, NJ
~450 miles
Augusta, ME → Jersey City, NJ
~400 miles
Portland, ME → Atlantic City, NJ
~400 miles
Lewiston, ME → Cherry Hill, NJ
~400 miles
Should You Move From Maine to New Jersey Quiz
Take this 10 question quiz to find out if the move to New Jersey 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.
How Much Is Relocating to NJ from Maine Going to Cost?
Moving 350 miles from Maine to New Jersey will typically cost between $2,500.00 and $5,000.00 to hire full service movers. See the breakdown below by home size.
Expected Range
$2,500.00–$5,000.00
Expected Time
2–9days
Cost by home size
Studio
$1,380.00
1 Bedroom
$2,050.00
2 Bedrooms
$3,380.00
3 Bedrooms
$4,900.00
4 Bedrooms
$7,060.00
5+ Bedrooms
$7,850.00
| Home Size | Moving Cost | Volume (ft³) | $/ft³ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,380.00 | 300 | $4.6 |
| 1 Bedroom | $2,050.00 | 450 | $4.56 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $3,380.00 | 750 | $4.51 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $4,900.00 | 1,100 | $4.45 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $7,060.00 | 1,600 | $4.41 |
| 5+ Bedrooms | $7,850.00 | 1,800 | $4.36 |
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.
What Type of Person Flourishes After Moving from Maine to NJ?
Well, it depends. If you're a Binge Shopper, Tech Bro, or PTA President, you'll thrive in your move to New Jersey. But if you're more of a Homesteader, Minimalist, 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 New Jersey.
Top 3 winners and losers moving from ME to NJ
Shopping
Maine
2.5
/10
New Jersey
8.5
/10
Maine
Giving up
Outlets scratch itch, limited luxury spree, thrifting bonanza
New Jersey
Gaining
Paramus has more malls per mile than anywhere
Recommended NJ cities/areas for Binge Shoppers
ParamusShort HillsCherry Hill
Maine
2.5
/10
New Jersey
8.5
/10
Tech Scene
Maine
4
/10
New Jersey
8.5
/10
Maine
Giving up
Remote friendly Portland startups, fewer unicorns than Kendall Square.
New Jersey
Gaining
PATH to Manhattan, Princeton startups, Bell Labs Holmdel echoes
Recommended NJ cities/areas for Tech Bros
Maine
4
/10
New Jersey
8.5
/10
PTA Life
Maine
6.5
/10
New Jersey
9
/10
Maine
Giving up
Beach to Beacon 10K, Yarmouth Clam Festival, Falmouth Fall Classic.
New Jersey
Gaining
Friday lights, School pride, NJEA bake sale legends
Recommended NJ cities/areas for PTA Presidents
RidgewoodSummitCherry Hill
Maine
6.5
/10
New Jersey
9
/10
Homesteading
Maine
8
/10
New Jersey
3
/10
Maine
Giving up
Organic gardening roots, cheap acreage, hearty winters build grit.
New Jersey
Gaining
Pine Barrens acres exist, but taxes tame off grid dreams
Recommended NJ cities/areas for Homesteaders
MontaguePilesgroveChatsworth
Maine
8
/10
New Jersey
3
/10
Minimalism
Maine
7.5
/10
New Jersey
4.5
/10
Maine
Giving up
Small spaces, clean lines, Casco Bay horizon clears clutter.
New Jersey
Gaining
Sleek condos with NYC skyline views, but NJ Turnpike clutter follows unless you rely on PATH or light rail
Recommended NJ cities/areas for Minimalists
Jersey CityHoboken
Maine
7.5
/10
New Jersey
4.5
/10
Craft Beer Culture
Maine
9.5
/10
New Jersey
8
/10
Maine
Giving up
Allagash tours, Bissell Brothers cans, hoppy heaven.
New Jersey
Gaining
Kane waves, Carton cans, Mudhen Brew, Cape May Brewing, boardwalk buzz
Recommended NJ cities/areas for Craft Beer Fans
OceanAtlantic HighlandsCape MayWildwood
Maine
9.5
/10
New Jersey
8
/10
Local Perspective
What moment, smell, or ritual captures the soul of New Jersey?
The smell of the ocean. The sound of the seagulls down the shore. The train whistles from the local commuter lines.
– Diane Briante
New Jersey Local
Lifestyle differences between living in Maine and living in New Jersey
MaineNew Jersey
How Food Culture Differs When You Move from Maine to NJ
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 New Jersey
Every diner has something they're famous for. Order that. Don't order something too fancy. Avoid the red sauce unless you have inside information that it doesn't come from a can. Splurge on those amazing looking cakes or pies. And we judge diners by their fries. If their fries aren't good, we might not be back.
Diane BrianteNew Jersey Local ExpertThe Real Tax Shift of Moving to NJ from Maine
Maine
New Jersey
MainevsNew Jersey
State Income Tax
State Income TaxProgressive 5.8% to 7.15% brackets
Progressive 1.4% to 10.75%, top rate over $1M, multiple brackets
Maine
Progressive 5.8% to 7.15% brackets
VS
New Jersey
Progressive 1.4% to 10.75%, top rate over $1M, multiple brackets
Property Taxes
Property TaxesHighest around Portland and coastal towns, lower in Aroostook, Piscataquis, interior
North Jersey suburbs like Bergen and Essex pricier, South Jersey lower, Jersey City abatements
Maine
Highest around Portland and coastal towns, lower in Aroostook, Piscataquis, interior
VS
New Jersey
North Jersey suburbs like Bergen and Essex pricier, South Jersey lower, Jersey City abatements
The People, Politics, & Religion Shift of Maine vs NJ
Maine
New Jersey
MainevsNew Jersey
People
PeopleYankee reserved but welcoming, wicked helpful, blunt yet kind, tight community vibes, year round hardy
Direct, fast talking, proudly diverse, neighborhood loyal, bagel and pizza opinions unshakeable
Maine
Yankee reserved but welcoming, wicked helpful, blunt yet kind, tight community vibes, year round hardy
VS
New Jersey
Direct, fast talking, proudly diverse, neighborhood loyal, bagel and pizza opinions unshakeable
Politics
Independent streak, split tickets, cities blue, rural red, first to adopt ranked choice
Reliably blue statewide, GOP strength in Ocean Monmouth Sussex, suburban moderates swing
Maine
Independent streak, split tickets, cities blue, rural red, first to adopt ranked choice
VS
New Jersey
Reliably blue statewide, GOP strength in Ocean Monmouth Sussex, suburban moderates swing
Religion
ReligionMostly Christian, many unaffiliated, Catholic pockets in Portland and Lewiston, small Jewish and Muslim communities
Largely Christian, many Catholics, notable Jewish in Lakewood and Teaneck, growing Hindu Muslim unaffiliated
Maine
Mostly Christian, many unaffiliated, Catholic pockets in Portland and Lewiston, small Jewish and Muslim communities
VS
New Jersey
Largely Christian, many Catholics, notable Jewish in Lakewood and Teaneck, growing Hindu Muslim unaffiliated
How The Seasons Shift When You Move from Maine to NJ
SUMMER
Maine
beach day needs a hoodie (sea breeze chills the coast, inland towns flirt with ninety)
New Jersey
boardwalk waffle iron (sticky 90s inland, ocean breeze tempers the Shore)
WINTER
Maine
nostril freezing theater (Aroostook goes full deep freeze, Portland stays slushy and stubborn)
New Jersey
puffer coat roulette (High Point bites, Cape May shrugs)
My Favorite Thing About Winter/Spring/Summer/Fall in New Jersey
The first day warm enough to hang out on the beach, the leaves changing in the fall - and the taste of my first Curley fries in Wildwood. The best!
Diane BrianteNew Jersey Local ExpertNext Steps
Learn More About Moving to New Jersey
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 New Jersey. No boring census stats... we promise! Just practical real advice from New Jersey local experts.
Moving toElizabeth
EWR Roar, 13A, Pastéis, And Port Crane Views
Moving toJersey City
A Deep Look At The Only City To Have Two PATH Stops In Its Limits
Moving toNewark
Ironbound Eats, PATH Zips, Branch Brook Park Blooms
