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 from Maine to UT: What the Move Will Actually Cost You
Trading Atlantic coastline for red rock canyons is a trade-off that sounds dramatic on paper, and the reality living it is just as striking. Maine and Utah could hardly feel more different, from the lobster shacks and dense pine forests of New England to the sweeping desert landscapes and mountain ranges of the American West. The pace, the culture, the climate, and even the cost of living tell two very different stories. Our Snappy Scout team (Greg & Ann) dug into the costs, logistics, and lifestyle shifts you need to understand before you load up the moving truck and point it west.
Who's Behind This Guide
The Drive from ME to UT: What to Know
Average distance
2,450miles
Typical route
I-90 W, I-80 W
Popular moving routes (approx. driving distance):
Portland, ME → Salt Lake City, UT
~2450 miles
Bangor, ME → Salt Lake City, UT
~2500 miles
Augusta, ME → Provo, UT
~2450 miles
Lewiston, ME → Ogden, UT
~2400 miles
Biddeford, ME → West Valley City, UT
~2450 miles
What Does It Honestly Cost to Relocate from ME to UT?
Moving 2,450 miles from Maine to Utah 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
$1,260.00
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.
Who Finds Their People After Moving from ME to UT?
Well, it depends. If you're a Cowboy, Binge Shopper, or Stay at Home Mom, you'll thrive in your move to Utah. But if you're more of a Coffee Snob, Minimalist, or Surfer Dude, 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 Utah.
Top 3 winners and losers moving from ME to UT
Cowboys
Maine
2.5
/10
Utah
8.5
/10
Maine
Giving up
Fryeburg Fair livestock thrills, few open ranges or rodeos.
Utah
Gaining
Ogden Pioneer Days, Heber rodeos, Uintah Basin ranch culture, Cross Hollow Arena, Dixie Roundup rodeo.
Recommended UT cities/areas for Cowboys
OgdenHeber CityVernalCedar City
Maine
2.5
/10
Utah
8.5
/10
Shopping
Maine
2.5
/10
Utah
6
/10
Maine
Giving up
Outlets scratch itch, limited luxury spree, thrifting bonanza
Utah
Gaining
City Creek splurges, Fashion Place hauls, Station Park therapy.
Recommended UT cities/areas for Binge Shoppers
Salt Lake CityMurrayFarmington
Maine
2.5
/10
Utah
6
/10
Stay At Home Moms
Maine
7
/10
Utah
8.5
/10
Maine
Giving up
Top schools, Sea Dogs nights, easy beach days.
Utah
Gaining
Thanksgiving Point outings, Daybreak parks, Lagoon summer passes, All Abilities Park
Recommended UT cities/areas for Stay at Home Moms
DaybreakLehiKaysvilleSt. George
Maine
7
/10
Utah
8.5
/10
Coffee Culture
Maine
9
/10
Utah
6
/10
Maine
Giving up
Tandem cortados, Bard pulls, Speckled Ax roasts.
Utah
Gaining
Publik roasts, La Barba, and Blue Copper cuppings.
Recommended UT cities/areas for Coffee Snobs
Salt Lake CityProvoOgden
Maine
9
/10
Utah
6
/10
Minimalism
Maine
7.5
/10
Utah
4.5
/10
Maine
Giving up
Small spaces, clean lines, Casco Bay horizon clears clutter.
Utah
Gaining
City Creek condos fit, but Utah gear hobbies clutter fast.
Recommended UT cities/areas for Minimalists
Salt Lake CitySugar HouseLogan
Maine
7.5
/10
Utah
4.5
/10
Surfing
Maine
4.5
/10
Utah
2
/10
Maine
Giving up
Cold swells, short summers, but stoke at Higgins.
Utah
Gaining
Wake surf Lake Powell, but no Pacific sets or salt.
Recommended UT cities/areas for Surfer Dudes
Big WaterBullfrogHalls Crossing
Maine
4.5
/10
Utah
2
/10
Local Perspective
What moment, smell, or ritual captures the soul of Utah?
Stunning mountain vistas, unrivaled fine art culture, red rocks and the smell of sage after rain!
– Ann Broadbent
Utah Local
Lifestyle differences between living in Maine and living in Utah
MaineUtah
What's on the Table in ME vs UT?
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 Utah
Steak, french fries with fry sauce.
Sweet Pork Burrito Supreme with rice and beans, sour cream and guacamole
Ann BroadbentUtah Local ExpertThe Honest Tax Breakdown of Moving to UT from ME
Maine
Utah
MainevsUtah
State Income Tax
State Income TaxProgressive 5.8% to 7.15% brackets
Flat 4.55 percent statewide
Maine
Progressive 5.8% to 7.15% brackets
VS
Utah
Flat 4.55 percent statewide
Property Taxes
Property TaxesHighest around Portland and coastal towns, lower in Aroostook, Piscataquis, interior
Moderate effective rates, Salt Lake County higher, Park City pricier, rural counties lowest
Maine
Highest around Portland and coastal towns, lower in Aroostook, Piscataquis, interior
VS
Utah
Moderate effective rates, Salt Lake County higher, Park City pricier, rural counties lowest
The Honest Cultural, Political, & Religious Reality: ME vs UT
Maine
Utah
MainevsUtah
People
PeopleYankee reserved but welcoming, wicked helpful, blunt yet kind, tight community vibes, year round hardy
Famously friendly, family centered, outdoorsy, earnest, neighbor helpful
Maine
Yankee reserved but welcoming, wicked helpful, blunt yet kind, tight community vibes, year round hardy
VS
Utah
Famously friendly, family centered, outdoorsy, earnest, neighbor helpful
Politics
Independent streak, split tickets, cities blue, rural red, first to adopt ranked choice
Deep red statewide, Salt Lake City and Moab bluer, college towns lean progressive
Maine
Independent streak, split tickets, cities blue, rural red, first to adopt ranked choice
VS
Utah
Deep red statewide, Salt Lake City and Moab bluer, college towns lean progressive
Religion
ReligionMostly Christian, many unaffiliated, Catholic pockets in Portland and Lewiston, small Jewish and Muslim communities
Predominantly LDS, then other Christians, rising unaffiliated, small Muslim, Jewish, Buddhist communities
Maine
Mostly Christian, many unaffiliated, Catholic pockets in Portland and Lewiston, small Jewish and Muslim communities
VS
Utah
Predominantly LDS, then other Christians, rising unaffiliated, small Muslim, Jewish, Buddhist communities
What the Climate Feel Like in ME vs UT
SUMMER
Maine
beach day needs a hoodie (sea breeze chills the coast, inland towns flirt with ninety)
Utah
Red rock broiler mode (triple digits in St. George, asphalt shimmer in Moab), cool mornings and evenings in northern climbs.
WINTER
Maine
nostril freezing theater (Aroostook goes full deep freeze, Portland stays slushy and stubborn)
Utah
Mountain freezer (wear that puffy coat along with hat & gloves (Wasatch nights bite, St. George keeps golfing).
My Favorite Thing About Winter/Spring/Summer/Fall in Utah
Spring blooms in Southern Utah, cool summer evenings in Northern Utah, stunning fall colors in Central and Northern Utah, winter snow covered mountains throughout the state, music fests, Peach Days, farmers markets, indoor and outdoor theater, friendly people, breathtaking geography
Ann BroadbentUtah Local ExpertNext Steps
Learn More About Moving to Utah
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 Utah. No boring census stats... we promise! Just practical real advice from Utah local experts.
