Tennessee Local Expert
Mike Stover
“I am a Tennessee native who has lived, worked, or worn out tires in all three divisions of the state,…”
Read more about me
Moving to Maine from TN: Why So Many People Are Doing It
Trading Tennessee's rolling hills and mild Southern winters for the rugged coastlines and frigid Northeast seasons of Maine is a bigger leap than most people anticipate. The two states sit at opposite ends of the cultural and climatic spectrum, from Tennessee's live music scene and barbecue culture to Maine's lobster shacks and quiet fishing villages. The pace slows down, the winters get serious, and the cost of coastal living can catch newcomers off guard in ways they never expected. Our Snappy Scout team (Mike & Greg) dug into the costs, logistics, and lifestyle shifts you need to understand before loading up the moving truck.
Our Local Experts Guiding Your Move
TN to ME Mileage by the Numbers
Average distance
1,400miles
Typical route
I-81 N, I-78 E, I-95 N
Popular moving routes (approx. driving distance):
Nashville, TN → Portland, ME
~1400 miles
Memphis, TN → Portland, ME
~1600 miles
Knoxville, TN → Bangor, ME
~1450 miles
Chattanooga, TN → Augusta, ME
~1400 miles
Clarksville, TN → Portland, ME
~1450 miles
TN to ME Relocation Rates
Moving 1,400 miles from Tennessee 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.
Is ME the Right Choice for You?
Well, it depends. If you're a Surfer Dude, Craft Beer Fan, or Homesteader, you'll thrive in your move to Maine. But if you're more of a Binge Shopper, Retired Military, or College Student, 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 Tennessee to Maine.
Top 3 winners and losers moving from TN to ME
Surfing
Tennessee
3
/10
Maine
4.5
/10
Tennessee
Giving up
Wake surf Old Hickory Lake, but Beale Street lacks breaks
Maine
Gaining
Cold swells, short summers, but stoke at Higgins.
Recommended ME cities/areas for Surfer Dudes
Higgins BeachOgunquit
Tennessee
3
/10
Maine
4.5
/10
Craft Beer Culture
Tennessee
9
/10
Maine
9.5
/10
Tennessee
Giving up
Yazoo, Bearded Iris, Knoxville Ale Trail weekends, Tennessee Hills Brewstillery, Johnson City Brewing, Michael Waltrip Brewing Company
Maine
Gaining
Allagash tours, Bissell Brothers cans, hoppy heaven.
Recommended ME cities/areas for Craft Beer Fans
PortlandBiddeford
Tennessee
9
/10
Maine
9.5
/10
Homesteading
Tennessee
7.5
/10
Maine
8
/10
Tennessee
Giving up
Cumberland Plateau acreage, farm coops, Tractor Supply everywhere
Maine
Gaining
Organic gardening roots, cheap acreage, hearty winters build grit.
Recommended ME cities/areas for Homesteaders
UnityDover-Foxcroft
Tennessee
7.5
/10
Maine
8
/10
Shopping
Tennessee
6
/10
Maine
2.5
/10
Tennessee
Giving up
Opry Mills marathons, Tanger Sevierville runs, wallet cries happy, the Pinnacle
Maine
Gaining
Outlets scratch itch, limited luxury spree, thrifting bonanza
Recommended ME cities/areas for Binge Shoppers
Tennessee
6
/10
Maine
2.5
/10
Military Culture
Tennessee
8
/10
Maine
6
/10
Tennessee
Giving up
Clarksville near Fort Campbell, VA care in Murfreesboro, Mountain Home VA Medical Center in Johnson City
Maine
Gaining
Portsmouth Naval Shipyard nearby, Togus VA, welcoming towns.
Recommended ME cities/areas for Retired Militaries
KitteryAugustaBrunswick
Tennessee
8
/10
Maine
6
/10
University Life
Tennessee
9
/10
Maine
8
/10
Tennessee
Giving up
UT Vols Saturdays, Vandy coffee runs, Belmont shows, U of Memphis football
Maine
Gaining
UMaine hockey, Bowdoin quads, Colby museum free, UNE health sciences campus
Recommended ME cities/areas for College Students
Tennessee
9
/10
Maine
8
/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 Tennessee and living in Maine
TennesseeMaine
Forget the Yelp Reviews: Here's How Locals Actually Eat in TN and ME
Eating Like a Local in Tennessee
Locals from Memphis to Roan Mountain know that REAL barbeque comes wet, sweet, and sticky. Vinegar is a cleaning agent, not an ingredient in BBQ.
Mike StoverTennessee 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 ExpertFrom TN to ME: How Your Tax Story Looks
Tennessee
Maine
TennesseevsMaine
State Income Tax
State Income TaxNo tax on wages, Hall tax on dividends repealed 2021
Progressive 5.8% to 7.15% brackets
Tennessee
No tax on wages, Hall tax on dividends repealed 2021
VS
Maine
Progressive 5.8% to 7.15% brackets
Property Taxes
Property TaxesLower statewide, higher in Shelby and Davidson, Knox and Hamilton moderate, rural low
Highest around Portland and coastal towns, lower in Aroostook, Piscataquis, interior
Tennessee
Lower statewide, higher in Shelby and Davidson, Knox and Hamilton moderate, rural low
VS
Maine
Highest around Portland and coastal towns, lower in Aroostook, Piscataquis, interior
What Looks Different About Culture, Politics, & Faith When You Move to ME from TN
Tennessee
Maine
TennesseevsMaine
People
PeoplePolite, Volunteer State helpful, porch chat friendly, bless your heart energy
Yankee reserved but welcoming, wicked helpful, blunt yet kind, tight community vibes, year round hardy
Tennessee
Polite, Volunteer State helpful, porch chat friendly, bless your heart energy
VS
Maine
Yankee reserved but welcoming, wicked helpful, blunt yet kind, tight community vibes, year round hardy
Politics
Solid Republican statewide, Nashville and Memphis blue, Chattanooga and Knoxville cores competitive
Independent streak, split tickets, cities blue, rural red, first to adopt ranked choice
Tennessee
Solid Republican statewide, Nashville and Memphis blue, Chattanooga and Knoxville cores competitive
VS
Maine
Independent streak, split tickets, cities blue, rural red, first to adopt ranked choice
Religion
ReligionPredominantly Christian, strong evangelical Baptist, growing unaffiliated, Muslim and Hindu communities in Nashville
Mostly Christian, many unaffiliated, Catholic pockets in Portland and Lewiston, small Jewish and Muslim communities
Tennessee
Predominantly Christian, strong evangelical Baptist, growing unaffiliated, Muslim and Hindu communities in Nashville
VS
Maine
Mostly Christian, many unaffiliated, Catholic pockets in Portland and Lewiston, small Jewish and Muslim communities
What Locals Know About the Seasons in TN and ME
SUMMER
Tennessee
sweet tea sauna vibes (Memphis bakes, Nashville steams, Smokies cool off at dusk). The lowlands are just plain hot; the mountains are where you want to be.
Maine
beach day needs a hoodie (sea breeze chills the coast, inland towns flirt with ninety)
WINTER
Tennessee
light jacket roulette (Nashville slush, Memphis rain, Gatlinburg steals the snow). Natives say if you don't like Tennessee weather, wait a while; it'll change.
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 Tennessee, 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 toPortland
Bring your dog, your Subaru, your HOP hoodie and your Red Sox cap.
