Oklahoma Local Expert
Shana Grandstaff
“I’ve been living life in Oklahoma for 43 straight years, collecting local shortcuts and moving stories along the way. I’ve…”
Read more about me
OK to ME Relocation: Is It the Right Move for You?
Trading landlocked plains for rocky coastline is one of the more dramatic relocations you can make within the continental United States. Oklahoma and Maine sit at opposite ends of nearly every spectrum, from climate and culture to cost of living and population density. What feels like a routine move on paper quickly reveals itself as a full lifestyle overhaul once you start comparing the two states side by side. Our Snappy Scout team (Shana & Greg) dug into the costs, logistics, and daily life adjustments you should prepare for before loading up that first truck.
Our Local Experts Guiding Your Move
Driving Your Own Move from Oklahoma to ME
Average distance
1,950miles
Typical route
I-44 E, I-70 E, I-76 E, I-95 N
Popular moving routes (approx. driving distance):
Oklahoma City, OK → Portland, ME
~1950 miles
Tulsa, OK → Portland, ME
~1900 miles
Norman, OK → Bangor, ME
~2000 miles
Broken Arrow, OK → Augusta, ME
~1950 miles
Edmond, OK → Lewiston, ME
~1950 miles
Should You Move From Oklahoma to Maine Quiz
Take this 10 question quiz to find out if the move to Maine from Oklahoma 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 Do Full-Service Movers Ask to ME from Oklahoma?
Moving 1,950 miles from Oklahoma to Maine 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 Oklahoma Life Fit in ME?
Well, it depends. If you're a Coffee Snob, Beach Bum, or Foodie, you'll thrive in your move to Maine. But if you're more of a Binge Shopper, PTA President, or Tech Bro, 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 Oklahoma to Maine.
Top 3 winners and losers moving from OK to ME
Coffee Culture
Oklahoma
6.5
/10
Maine
9
/10
Oklahoma
Giving up
Elemental espresso shots, Topeca roasts, Hoboken pour overs
Maine
Gaining
Tandem cortados, Bard pulls, Speckled Ax roasts.
Recommended ME cities/areas for Coffee Snobs
PortlandBiddeford
Oklahoma
6.5
/10
Maine
9
/10
Beach Culture
Oklahoma
3
/10
Maine
4
/10
Oklahoma
Giving up
Grand Lake coves, Blue Whale selfies, still no surf
Maine
Gaining
Old Orchard boardwalk fun, chilly water, narrow beaches at tide.
Recommended ME cities/areas for Beach Bums
Old Orchard BeachWells
Oklahoma
3
/10
Maine
4
/10
Foodies
Oklahoma
8
/10
Maine
9
/10
Oklahoma
Giving up
Nonesuch tasting menus, Mother Road Market grazing, Cattlemen's steaks
Maine
Gaining
Eventide oysters, Primo indulgence, lobster rolls everywhere.
Recommended ME cities/areas for Foodies
PortlandRockland
Oklahoma
8
/10
Maine
9
/10
Shopping
Oklahoma
6
/10
Maine
2.5
/10
Oklahoma
Giving up
Penn Square splurges, Utica Square strolls, Quail Springs weekends
Maine
Gaining
Outlets scratch itch, limited luxury spree, thrifting bonanza
Recommended ME cities/areas for Binge Shoppers
Oklahoma
6
/10
Maine
2.5
/10
PTA Life
Oklahoma
8
/10
Maine
6.5
/10
Oklahoma
Giving up
Friday night lights, BOK Center championships, Edmond Santa Fe fundraisers
Maine
Gaining
Beach to Beacon 10K, Yarmouth Clam Festival, Falmouth Fall Classic.
Recommended ME cities/areas for PTA Presidents
Cape ElizabethFalmouthYarmouth
Oklahoma
8
/10
Maine
6.5
/10
Tech Scene
Oklahoma
5.5
/10
Maine
4
/10
Oklahoma
Giving up
36 Degrees North, fintech meetups, cheap Bricktown lofts
Maine
Gaining
Remote friendly Portland startups, fewer unicorns than Kendall Square.
Recommended ME cities/areas for Tech Bros
PortlandBrunswick
Oklahoma
5.5
/10
Maine
4
/10
Local Perspective
What moment, smell, or ritual captures the soul of Maine?
The welcoming nature of the people in Maine. It doesn't matter who your father was, where you went to college, or what you did for work wherever it was you came from. You're here now. So look someone in the eye, smile, and say something friendly. Most people will respond in kind. After about 5 minutes of chatting, they'll treat you like an old friend. After 10, they'll offer you their truck when you need one. It really is OK if you come from Massachusetts. Just don't act like it.
– Greg Reid
Maine Local
Lifestyle differences between living in Oklahoma and living in Maine
OklahomaMaine
How Food Culture Differs When You Move from Oklahoma to ME
Eating 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 ExpertEating 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 ExpertThe Unfiltered Tax Breakdown of Moving to ME from Oklahoma
Oklahoma
Maine
OklahomavsMaine
State Income Tax
State Income TaxProgressive brackets, top rate 4.75%
Progressive 5.8% to 7.15% brackets
Oklahoma
Progressive brackets, top rate 4.75%
VS
Maine
Progressive 5.8% to 7.15% brackets
Property Taxes
Property TaxesLow statewide, higher in OKC metro (Oklahoma County) and Tulsa County, rural lowest
Highest around Portland and coastal towns, lower in Aroostook, Piscataquis, interior
Oklahoma
Low statewide, higher in OKC metro (Oklahoma County) and Tulsa County, rural lowest
VS
Maine
Highest around Portland and coastal towns, lower in Aroostook, Piscataquis, interior
The People, Politics, & Religion Landscape of Oklahoma vs ME
Oklahoma
Maine
OklahomavsMaine
People
PeoplePlainspoken, neighborly, tornado tough, Friday night lights faithful
Yankee reserved but welcoming, wicked helpful, blunt yet kind, tight community vibes, year round hardy
Oklahoma
Plainspoken, neighborly, tornado tough, Friday night lights faithful
VS
Maine
Yankee reserved but welcoming, wicked helpful, blunt yet kind, tight community vibes, year round hardy
Politics
Deep red statewide, OKC and Tulsa trend moderate blue, tribal governance distinct
Independent streak, split tickets, cities blue, rural red, first to adopt ranked choice
Oklahoma
Deep red statewide, OKC and Tulsa trend moderate blue, tribal governance distinct
VS
Maine
Independent streak, split tickets, cities blue, rural red, first to adopt ranked choice
Religion
ReligionMostly Christian Protestant, strong Baptist and Pentecostal, some Catholic, tribal traditions
Mostly Christian, many unaffiliated, Catholic pockets in Portland and Lewiston, small Jewish and Muslim communities
Oklahoma
Mostly Christian Protestant, strong Baptist and Pentecostal, some Catholic, tribal traditions
VS
Maine
Mostly Christian, many unaffiliated, Catholic pockets in Portland and Lewiston, small Jewish and Muslim communities
Two Locals, Two Climates: Climate in Oklahoma and ME
SUMMER
Oklahoma
windy oven, extra crispy (triple digits happen all over the state)
Maine
beach day needs a hoodie (sea breeze chills the coast, inland towns flirt with ninety)
WINTER
Oklahoma
frigid sneak attacks (OKC shivers, Panhandle blizzards, Tulsa mostly slush)
Maine
nostril freezing theater (Aroostook goes full deep freeze, Portland stays slushy and stubborn)
My Favorite Thing About Winter/Spring/Summer/Fall in Maine
Winter: Hiking with my dog over snow-covered trails, biting cold morning air
Spring: Watching the sun rise a little earlier each day, the sudden eruption of greenery in May
Summer: Outdoor concerts, Portland Hearts of Pine soccer matches, kids playing outside til dusk
Fall: Exploring Casco Bay Islands, sampling pumpkin-spiced brews
Greg ReidMaine Local ExpertNext Steps
Learn More About Moving to Maine
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 Oklahoma, take a deeper dive into the specifics of moving to Maine. No boring census stats... we promise! Just practical real advice from Maine local experts.
Moving toAugusta
Prep for Slanted Floors and Seven Bridges
Moving toBangor
Mortal Mortgages, Moose Eyes, Bunyan Selfies
Moving toLewiston
Bates Vibes, Forage Bagels, Nor'easter Grit
