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
ME to OK Relocation: How Life Changes After the Move
Swapping the rocky coastlines of Maine for the sweeping plains of Oklahoma is a trade that carries more surprises than most people anticipate. Life in Maine revolves around tight knit communities, brutal winters, and a slower coastal pace that is easy to fall in love with. Oklahoma, on the other hand, offers wide open skies, a lower cost of living, and a warm weather calendar that will feel like a completely different world to anyone used to shoveling snow eight months of the year. The culture, the climate, and even the local food scene shift in ways that catch newcomers off guard. Our Snappy Scout team (Greg & Shana) dug into the real costs, the moving logistics, and the lifestyle adjustments you should have on your radar before the first box gets taped shut.
Who's Behind This Guide
Driving a Moving Truck from ME to OK
Average distance
1,950miles
Typical route
I-95 S, I-90 W, I-80 W, I-44 W
Popular moving routes (approx. driving distance):
Portland, ME → Oklahoma City, OK
~1950 miles
Bangor, ME → Tulsa, OK
~2000 miles
Augusta, ME → Oklahoma City, OK
~1950 miles
Lewiston, ME → Tulsa, OK
~2000 miles
Biddeford, ME → Norman, OK
~1950 miles
Should You Move From Maine to Oklahoma Quiz
Take this 10 question quiz to find out if the move to Oklahoma 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.
What Does It Really Cost to Relocate from ME to OK?
Moving 1,950 miles from Maine to Oklahoma 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
$1,260.00
1 Bedroom
$1,860.00
2 Bedrooms
$3,070.00
3 Bedrooms
$4,450.00
4 Bedrooms
$6,400.00
5+ Bedrooms
$7,110.00
| Home Size | Moving Cost | Volume (ft³) | $/ft³ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,260.00 | 300 | $4.2 |
| 1 Bedroom | $1,860.00 | 450 | $4.13 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $3,070.00 | 750 | $4.09 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $4,450.00 | 1,100 | $4.05 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $6,400.00 | 1,600 | $4 |
| 5+ Bedrooms | $7,110.00 | 1,800 | $3.95 |
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 Kind of Person Flourishes After Moving from ME to OK?
Well, it depends. If you're a Cowboy, Retired Military, or Stay at Home Mom, you'll thrive in your move to Oklahoma. But if you're more of a Minimalist, Retired Snowbird, 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 Oklahoma.
Top 3 winners and losers moving from ME to OK
Cowboys
Maine
2.5
/10
Oklahoma
9.5
/10
Maine
Giving up
Fryeburg Fair livestock thrills, few open ranges or rodeos.
Oklahoma
Gaining
Stockyards City rodeos, Guymon Pioneer Days, prairie sunsets
Recommended OK cities/areas for Cowboys
Oklahoma CityGuymonWoodward
Maine
2.5
/10
Oklahoma
9.5
/10
Military Culture
Maine
6
/10
Oklahoma
9
/10
Maine
Giving up
Portsmouth Naval Shipyard nearby, Togus VA, welcoming towns.
Oklahoma
Gaining
Fort Sill camaraderie, Tinker AFB support, Thunder nights
Recommended OK cities/areas for Retired Militaries
LawtonMidwest City
Maine
6
/10
Oklahoma
9
/10
Stay At Home Moms
Maine
7
/10
Oklahoma
8.5
/10
Maine
Giving up
Top schools, Sea Dogs nights, easy beach days.
Oklahoma
Gaining
Playdates at Gathering Place, Edmond splash pads, school spirit
Recommended OK cities/areas for Stay at Home Moms
EdmondJenksNorman
Maine
7
/10
Oklahoma
8.5
/10
Minimalism
Maine
7.5
/10
Oklahoma
4.5
/10
Maine
Giving up
Small spaces, clean lines, Casco Bay horizon clears clutter.
Oklahoma
Gaining
Clean lines meet sprawl, Plaza District apartments
Recommended OK cities/areas for Minimalists
TulsaOklahoma City
Maine
7.5
/10
Oklahoma
4.5
/10
Snowbirds
Maine
7.5
/10
Oklahoma
5.5
/10
Maine
Giving up
Blissful summers, then head south after Fryeburg Fair.
Oklahoma
Gaining
Mildish winters, Medicine Park charm, not exactly Scottsdale sun
Recommended OK cities/areas for Retired Snowbirds
LawtonDuncanArdmore
Maine
7.5
/10
Oklahoma
5.5
/10
Craft Beer Culture
Maine
9.5
/10
Oklahoma
8.5
/10
Maine
Giving up
Allagash tours, Bissell Brothers cans, hoppy heaven.
Oklahoma
Gaining
Prairie Artisan pours, American Solera sours, COOP taproom chatter
Recommended OK cities/areas for Craft Beer Fans
Maine
9.5
/10
Oklahoma
8.5
/10
Local Perspective
What moment, smell, or ritual captures the soul of Oklahoma?
Being able to see farmland, animals, and open sky from just about anywhere.
– Shana Grandstaff
Oklahoma Local
Lifestyle differences between living in Maine and living in Oklahoma
MaineOklahoma
How Local Cuisine Changes When You Move from ME to OK
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 Oklahoma
Our state dish was selected because it is the truth. We eat chicken fried steak, usually served with mashed potatoes and fried okra, and covered in cream gravy.
Shana GrandstaffOklahoma Local ExpertThe Honest Tax Impact of Moving to OK from ME
Maine
Oklahoma
MainevsOklahoma
State Income Tax
State Income TaxProgressive 5.8% to 7.15% brackets
Progressive brackets, top rate 4.75%
Maine
Progressive 5.8% to 7.15% brackets
VS
Oklahoma
Progressive brackets, top rate 4.75%
Property Taxes
Property TaxesHighest around Portland and coastal towns, lower in Aroostook, Piscataquis, interior
Low statewide, higher in OKC metro (Oklahoma County) and Tulsa County, rural lowest
Maine
Highest around Portland and coastal towns, lower in Aroostook, Piscataquis, interior
VS
Oklahoma
Low statewide, higher in OKC metro (Oklahoma County) and Tulsa County, rural lowest
The Values, Beliefs, & Politics Reality of ME vs OK
Maine
Oklahoma
MainevsOklahoma
People
PeopleYankee reserved but welcoming, wicked helpful, blunt yet kind, tight community vibes, year round hardy
Plainspoken, neighborly, tornado tough, Friday night lights faithful
Maine
Yankee reserved but welcoming, wicked helpful, blunt yet kind, tight community vibes, year round hardy
VS
Oklahoma
Plainspoken, neighborly, tornado tough, Friday night lights faithful
Politics
Independent streak, split tickets, cities blue, rural red, first to adopt ranked choice
Deep red statewide, OKC and Tulsa trend moderate blue, tribal governance distinct
Maine
Independent streak, split tickets, cities blue, rural red, first to adopt ranked choice
VS
Oklahoma
Deep red statewide, OKC and Tulsa trend moderate blue, tribal governance distinct
Religion
ReligionMostly Christian, many unaffiliated, Catholic pockets in Portland and Lewiston, small Jewish and Muslim communities
Mostly Christian Protestant, strong Baptist and Pentecostal, some Catholic, tribal traditions
Maine
Mostly Christian, many unaffiliated, Catholic pockets in Portland and Lewiston, small Jewish and Muslim communities
VS
Oklahoma
Mostly Christian Protestant, strong Baptist and Pentecostal, some Catholic, tribal traditions
Summer, Winter, Spring, and Fall: ME vs OK
SUMMER
Maine
beach day needs a hoodie (sea breeze chills the coast, inland towns flirt with ninety)
Oklahoma
windy oven, extra crispy (triple digits happen all over the state)
WINTER
Maine
nostril freezing theater (Aroostook goes full deep freeze, Portland stays slushy and stubborn)
Oklahoma
frigid sneak attacks (OKC shivers, Panhandle blizzards, Tulsa mostly slush)
My Favorite Thing About Winter/Spring/Summer/Fall in Oklahoma
Spring: Seeing tulips, daffodils, and irises emerge as everything becomes green again
Summer: Warm nights looking at the stars while listening to music and drinking iced tea
Fall: Looking at the changing leaves on Turkey Mountain, football gameday energy everywhere you go
Winter: Christmas lights everywhere, especially in small towns on Main Street
Shana GrandstaffOklahoma Local ExpertNext Steps
Learn More About Moving to Oklahoma
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 Oklahoma. No boring census stats... we promise! Just practical real advice from Oklahoma local experts.
Moving toTulsa
Deco Nights, Tulsa Tough Rides, QuikTrip At 2am
