Utah Local Expert
Ann Broadbent
“I have lived in Utah for nearly four decades, and never cease to be profoundly impacted by its incredible beauty.…”
Read more about me
Moving from Utah to ME: Who Wins, Who Struggles, and Who Shouldn't Bother
Trading red rock canyons for rocky coastlines is a trade-off that sounds poetic until you realize just how different life in Maine actually feels compared to Utah. The wide open desert skies, mountain towns, and outdoor culture of Utah give way to dense pine forests, lobster shacks, and a New England pace that takes some getting used to. Our Snappy Scout team (Ann & Greg) dug into the costs, logistics, and lifestyle shifts you should expect before packing the first box.
Our Local Experts Guiding Your Move
How Far Is Utah from ME, Really?
Average distance
2,750miles
Typical route
I-80 E, I-90 E, I-87 N, I-89 N, I-95 N
Popular moving routes (approx. driving distance):
Salt Lake City, UT → Portland, ME
~2750 miles
Provo, UT → Bangor, ME
~2800 miles
Ogden, UT → Augusta, ME
~2750 miles
St. George, UT → Portland, ME
~2950 miles
Logan, UT → Lewiston, ME
~2700 miles
Should You Move From Utah to Maine Quiz
Take this 10 question quiz to find out if the move to Maine from Utah 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 to Know for Utah to ME Moving Fees
Moving 2,750 miles from Utah 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
5–12days
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.
Who Fits and Who Doesn't Moving from Utah to ME
Well, it depends. If you're a Craft Beer Fan, Homesteader, or Garden Club Lifetime Member, you'll thrive in your move to Maine. But if you're more of a Tech Bro, PTA President, or Retired Military, 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 Utah to Maine.
Top 3 winners and losers moving from UT to ME
Craft Beer Culture
Utah
6.5
/10
Maine
9.5
/10
Utah
Giving up
Fisher, Kiitos taps, state store adventures, early last call, Strap Tank
Maine
Gaining
Allagash tours, Bissell Brothers cans, hoppy heaven.
Recommended ME cities/areas for Craft Beer Fans
PortlandBiddeford
Utah
6.5
/10
Maine
9.5
/10
Homesteading
Utah
5.5
/10
Maine
8
/10
Utah
Giving up
Acreage, cold storage, Peach Days runs in Brigham City.
Maine
Gaining
Organic gardening roots, cheap acreage, hearty winters build grit.
Recommended ME cities/areas for Homesteaders
UnityDover-Foxcroft
Utah
5.5
/10
Maine
8
/10
Gardener
Utah
6
/10
Maine
8
/10
Utah
Giving up
Thanksgiving Point Tulip Festival, Red Butte tours, Ogden blooms
Maine
Gaining
Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, lilacs thrive, garden tours.
Recommended ME cities/areas for Garden Club Lifetime Members
BoothbayFalmouth
Utah
6
/10
Maine
8
/10
Tech Scene
Utah
9
/10
Maine
4
/10
Utah
Giving up
Silicon Slopes startups, VC meetups, near freeway offices.
Maine
Gaining
Remote friendly Portland startups, fewer unicorns than Kendall Square.
Recommended ME cities/areas for Tech Bros
PortlandBrunswick
Utah
9
/10
Maine
4
/10
PTA Life
Utah
8
/10
Maine
6.5
/10
Utah
Giving up
Corner Canyon games, Farmington fundraisers, endless bake sale glory.
Maine
Gaining
Beach to Beacon 10K, Yarmouth Clam Festival, Falmouth Fall Classic.
Recommended ME cities/areas for PTA Presidents
Cape ElizabethFalmouthYarmouth
Utah
8
/10
Maine
6.5
/10
Military Culture
Utah
7
/10
Maine
6
/10
Utah
Giving up
Hill Air Force Base neighbors, VA Salt Lake support, St. George VA Center.
Maine
Gaining
Portsmouth Naval Shipyard nearby, Togus VA, welcoming towns.
Recommended ME cities/areas for Retired Militaries
Utah
7
/10
Maine
6
/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 Utah and living in Maine
UtahMaine
The Local Food Divide Between Utah and ME
Eating 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 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 ExpertWhat the Move to ME from Utah Does for Your Tax Bill
Utah
Maine
UtahvsMaine
State Income Tax
State Income TaxFlat 4.55 percent statewide
Progressive 5.8% to 7.15% brackets
Utah
Flat 4.55 percent statewide
VS
Maine
Progressive 5.8% to 7.15% brackets
Property Taxes
Property TaxesModerate effective rates, Salt Lake County higher, Park City pricier, rural counties lowest
Highest around Portland and coastal towns, lower in Aroostook, Piscataquis, interior
Utah
Moderate effective rates, Salt Lake County higher, Park City pricier, rural counties lowest
VS
Maine
Highest around Portland and coastal towns, lower in Aroostook, Piscataquis, interior
How Utah and ME Break Down on People, Politics, & Religion
Utah
Maine
UtahvsMaine
People
PeopleFamously friendly, family centered, outdoorsy, earnest, neighbor helpful
Yankee reserved but welcoming, wicked helpful, blunt yet kind, tight community vibes, year round hardy
Utah
Famously friendly, family centered, outdoorsy, earnest, neighbor helpful
VS
Maine
Yankee reserved but welcoming, wicked helpful, blunt yet kind, tight community vibes, year round hardy
Politics
Deep red statewide, Salt Lake City and Moab bluer, college towns lean progressive
Independent streak, split tickets, cities blue, rural red, first to adopt ranked choice
Utah
Deep red statewide, Salt Lake City and Moab bluer, college towns lean progressive
VS
Maine
Independent streak, split tickets, cities blue, rural red, first to adopt ranked choice
Religion
ReligionPredominantly LDS, then other Christians, rising unaffiliated, small Muslim, Jewish, Buddhist communities
Mostly Christian, many unaffiliated, Catholic pockets in Portland and Lewiston, small Jewish and Muslim communities
Utah
Predominantly LDS, then other Christians, rising unaffiliated, small Muslim, Jewish, Buddhist communities
VS
Maine
Mostly Christian, many unaffiliated, Catholic pockets in Portland and Lewiston, small Jewish and Muslim communities
Weather in Utah vs ME: A Local's Unfiltered Perspective
SUMMER
Utah
Red rock broiler mode (triple digits in St. George, asphalt shimmer in Moab), cool mornings and evenings in northern climbs.
Maine
beach day needs a hoodie (sea breeze chills the coast, inland towns flirt with ninety)
WINTER
Utah
Mountain freezer (wear that puffy coat along with hat & gloves (Wasatch nights bite, St. George keeps golfing).
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 Utah, 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
