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
Relocating from Maine to Virginia: The Price Tag Most People Don't Expect
Trading rocky coastlines and brutal winters for the mid-Atlantic might sound like a welcome escape, but relocating from Maine to Virginia comes with more trade-offs than most people anticipate. Maine's quiet, rugged lifestyle and low population density feel worlds apart from Virginia's mix of bustling suburbs, military corridors, and Southern charm. The cost of living, climate, and daily pace all shift in ways that catch even well-prepared movers off guard. Our Snappy Scout team (Greg & Laura) dug into the costs, logistics, and lifestyle changes you should expect before packing the first box.
Who's Behind This Guide
The Moving Truck Drive from Maine to VA: What to Expect
Average distance
650miles
Typical route
I-95 S and I-495 S are the major highways you'd drive to get from Maine to Virginia.
Popular moving routes (approx. driving distance):
Portland, ME → Virginia Beach, VA
~750 miles
Bangor, ME → Richmond, VA
~750 miles
Augusta, ME → Norfolk, VA
~750 miles
Portland, ME → Arlington, VA
~600 miles
Lewiston, ME → Alexandria, VA
~600 miles
Should You Move From Maine to Virginia Quiz
Take this 10 question quiz to find out if the move to Virginia 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 Truly Cost to Move from Maine to VA?
Moving 650 miles from Maine to Virginia 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
3–10days
Cost by home size
Studio
$1,250.00
1 Bedroom
$1,860.00
2 Bedrooms
$3,070.00
3 Bedrooms
$4,440.00
4 Bedrooms
$6,380.00
5+ Bedrooms
$7,090.00
| Home Size | Moving Cost | Volume (ft³) | $/ft³ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,250.00 | 300 | $4.17 |
| 1 Bedroom | $1,860.00 | 450 | $4.13 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $3,070.00 | 750 | $4.09 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $4,440.00 | 1,100 | $4.04 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $6,380.00 | 1,600 | $3.99 |
| 5+ Bedrooms | $7,090.00 | 1,800 | $3.94 |
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 Should Consider the Move from Maine to VA?
Well, it depends. If you're a Tech Bro, College Student, or Wall Street Exec, you'll thrive in your move to Virginia. But if you're more of a Retired Snowbird, Homesteader, 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 Virginia.
Top 3 winners and losers moving from ME to VA
Tech Scene
Maine
4
/10
Virginia
9
/10
Maine
Giving up
Remote friendly Portland startups, fewer unicorns than Kendall Square.
Virginia
Gaining
AWS in Herndon, Metro Silver Line commutes.
Recommended VA cities/areas for Tech Bros
ArlingtonRestonTysons
Maine
4
/10
Virginia
9
/10
University Life
Maine
8
/10
Virginia
9
/10
Maine
Giving up
UMaine hockey, Bowdoin quads, Colby museum free, UNE health sciences campus
Virginia
Gaining
UVA rotunda, Hokies Enter Sandman, W&M colonial quads.
Recommended VA cities/areas for College Students
Maine
8
/10
Virginia
9
/10
Wall Street Life
Maine
3
/10
Virginia
4
/10
Maine
Giving up
Finance gigs exist, but Old Port lacks Manhattan velocity.
Virginia
Gaining
Big deals adjacent, but not Manhattan. Expect federal contractors.
Recommended VA cities/areas for Wall Street Execs
Rosslyn
Maine
3
/10
Virginia
4
/10
Snowbirds
Maine
7.5
/10
Virginia
3.5
/10
Maine
Giving up
Blissful summers, then head south after Fryeburg Fair.
Virginia
Gaining
Lovely First Landing walks, but winter chills send friends to St. Pete.
Recommended VA cities/areas for Retired Snowbirds
Virginia BeachWilliamsburg
Maine
7.5
/10
Virginia
3.5
/10
Homesteading
Maine
8
/10
Virginia
6.5
/10
Maine
Giving up
Organic gardening roots, cheap acreage, hearty winters build grit.
Virginia
Gaining
Acreage, farmers co ops, and Shenandoah canning season.
Recommended VA cities/areas for Homesteaders
FloydAbingdonLuray
Maine
8
/10
Virginia
6.5
/10
Local Perspective
What moment, smell, or ritual captures the soul of Virginia?
Smell: Pig slow-cooking in the cooker
Sound: Rolling waves at the beach, and even an occasional beach day in December or January
Event: Blue Angel and Thunderbird Air Show
– Laura Gray
Virginia Local
Lifestyle differences between living in Maine and living in Virginia
MaineVirginia
What's on the Plate in Maine vs VA?
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 Virginia
What do locals actually order in the Hampton Roads area: White dip with their Mexican chips, She Crab Soup, and an Orange Crush, a one-of-a-kind kind of drink.
Laura GrayVirginia Local ExpertThe Honest Tax Consequence of Moving to VA from Maine
Maine
Virginia
MainevsVirginia
State Income Tax
State Income TaxProgressive 5.8% to 7.15% brackets
Progressive 2% to 5.75%, top rate over $17k income
Maine
Progressive 5.8% to 7.15% brackets
VS
Virginia
Progressive 2% to 5.75%, top rate over $17k income
Property Taxes
Property TaxesHighest around Portland and coastal towns, lower in Aroostook, Piscataquis, interior
Higher in Northern Virginia suburbs, lower in Shenandoah, Southside, Eastern Shore
Maine
Highest around Portland and coastal towns, lower in Aroostook, Piscataquis, interior
VS
Virginia
Higher in Northern Virginia suburbs, lower in Shenandoah, Southside, Eastern Shore
The Honest People, Politics, & Religion Breakdown: Maine vs VA
Maine
Virginia
MainevsVirginia
People
PeopleYankee reserved but welcoming, wicked helpful, blunt yet kind, tight community vibes, year round hardy
Polite, history obsessed, NOVA fast paced, coastal easygoing, mountain neighborly, military strong
Maine
Yankee reserved but welcoming, wicked helpful, blunt yet kind, tight community vibes, year round hardy
VS
Virginia
Polite, history obsessed, NOVA fast paced, coastal easygoing, mountain neighborly, military strong
Politics
Independent streak, split tickets, cities blue, rural red, first to adopt ranked choice
Purple statewide, NOVA, Richmond, Hampton Roads blue, Southwest, Shenandoah, Southside reliably red
Maine
Independent streak, split tickets, cities blue, rural red, first to adopt ranked choice
VS
Virginia
Purple statewide, NOVA, Richmond, Hampton Roads blue, Southwest, Shenandoah, Southside reliably red
Religion
ReligionMostly Christian, many unaffiliated, Catholic pockets in Portland and Lewiston, small Jewish and Muslim communities
Mostly Christian, Baptist and Catholic strong, rising unaffiliated, notable Muslim and Hindu in NOVA
Maine
Mostly Christian, many unaffiliated, Catholic pockets in Portland and Lewiston, small Jewish and Muslim communities
VS
Virginia
Mostly Christian, Baptist and Catholic strong, rising unaffiliated, notable Muslim and Hindu in NOVA
What the Seasons Look Like in Maine vs VA
SUMMER
Maine
beach day needs a hoodie (sea breeze chills the coast, inland towns flirt with ninety)
Virginia
sweet tea sauna (Chesapeake breathes on you, Roanoke bakes by noon)
WINTER
Maine
nostril freezing theater (Aroostook goes full deep freeze, Portland stays slushy and stubborn)
Virginia
coat roulette (Blue Ridge bites, Hampton Roads shrugs and rains)
My Favorite Thing About Winter/Spring/Summer/Fall in Virginia
Spring: Burnside Farm's Tulip Festival (Holland in our own backyard)
Summer: Acres of sunflower fields and festivals
Fall: Fall foliage along the Skyline Drive and Blue Ridge Parkway
Winter: A 1/4" of snow for a snow day off school
Laura GrayVirginia Local ExpertNext Steps
Learn More About Moving to Virginia
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 Virginia. No boring census stats... we promise! Just practical real advice from Virginia local experts.
Moving toCharlottesville
Prep for Wine, Jeffersonian Guilt
Moving toHampton
Pack Sunscreen, Crab Crackers, and Patience
Moving toNorfolk
HRBT Jams, King Tides, And Mermaid Happy Hours
