So, you’re curious about living in Maine? Well, you’ve come to the right place!
The expert movers, travelers, and worldwide locals that make up the team at Relocalate.com are here to help.
We’ve compiled the ultimate guides to answer the most common questions people just like you have about living in the great state of Maine.
Dive deep into the topics you’re interested in to make sure your new home in Maine matches what you’re looking for.
We’ll explore whether Maine is a good place for YOU to live, and we’ll highlight some of the best cities for you to visit, explore, and ultimately call home.
Pros and Cons of Living in Maine
You’ve heard it before, and it’s true: no place is perfect. What matters is how good of a fit it is for you.
Relocalate.com is here to help you decide whether Maine is the best place for YOU to live.
Here are some reasons to love living in Maine:
- It’s a great state to live in for outdoor enthusiasts.
- The cost of living is reasonable.
- It’s famous for its lobster!
- Maine has some really beautiful coastline that makes it perfect for living by water or enjoying an afternoon on the beach!
And, on the flip side, here are some of the downsides of living in Maine:
- It’s not the most densely populated state.
- The winters can be really cold and long!
- Finding a job might also be difficult here because Maine is one of the states with lower employment rates than in other parts of the US.
Read More: Is Maine a Good Place to Live?
Best Place to Live in Maine
So, you’ve got your heart set on living in Maine? Well, the decision making doesn’t end there. You’ve still got to decide where to live in Maine!
In some other articles, we’ll dive deeper into some of the best places to live in Maine.
Our experts have considered a whole bunch of different criteria to select the top locations, including:
- The best places to live for families, retirees, singles, young adults, outdoor lovers, foodies, and more.
- The safest places to live.
- The cheapest places to live.
- The best schools.
- The best job markets.
- The best housing markets.
- And so much more.
Just want a quick list? No worries, here are some of the best cities to live in Maine:
- Bath
- Cape Elizabeth
Read More: Best Places to Live in Maine
Checklist for Moving to Maine
So now you’re preparing for your big move to Maine. Maybe you’ve even started packing!
As you probably already know, there are a lot of things to take care of when you’re moving. Both in your current state and once you get to Maine.
Here are some of the major things you’ll want to take care of when you move to Maine:
- Updating your address with USPS.
- Getting your Maine driver’s license.
- Transferring your vehicle titles and registrations to Maine
- Getting Maine car insurance.
- Signing up for health insurance in Maine and finding new doctors, dentists, and local hospitals.
- Updating/changing other insurance policies you may need (homeowner’s insurance, renter’s insurance, pet insurance, motorcycle insurance, etc.)
- Registering to vote in your district in Maine.
- Updating your address with your banks, credit cards, subscription services, loans, investments, phone plans, and bill pay.
- Enrolling your kids in their new school district.
- Licensing your pets and finding a new vet.
- Setting up your utilities for your new home.
- Preparing to file state taxes for Maine and your previous home state.
Visit your Maine Moving Checklist for a detailed guide on all of the above.
Read More: Moving to Maine Checklist
While we’re at it, let’s cover some high-level questions and fun facts about Maine.
Things to Know About Living in Maine
As you’re preparing for your move or getting settled into your new home in Maine, here are some things to know about living there.
Cost of Living in Maine
One thing to consider when moving to a new state is the relative cost of living.
Maine ranks 41st on the Cost of Living Index with an overall rating of 116.6, meaning it’s an above average costing place to live.
Here is how Maine scores for the cost of living in each specific category:
- Groceries: 100.4
- Housing: 142
- Utilities: 107.2
- Transportation: 106.9
- Health: 112.8
- Miscellaneous: 108.4
The average cost of living in this index is scored at 100. The numbers above represent the percentage of the average. A number higher than 100 represents an above average cost of living, while a number lower than 100 represents a lower cost of living. A lower rank indicates a lower cost of living.
This data comes from the Cost of Living Index prepared by the Council for Economic Research (C2ER), which compiles data from cities across the country to rank and compare the differences in costs of living.
Sales Tax Rates in Maine
Sales tax is a way that state and local governments collect tax revenue from its residents and visitors.
These taxes are applied when you purchase something. It’ll show up on your receipt or bill. If you’ve recently moved to Maine from somewhere else, the new sales tax rates may surprise you.
On top of the state sales tax rates, local rates for certain counties and cities may apply and vary as well.
Maine’s state sales tax rate is higher than the national average at 5.5%.
Check with the Maine tax office for the most current tax rates.
Real-Estate Property Tax Rates in Maine
If you own or plan to own real estate in Maine, you’ll want to think about the property tax rates when you move there.
Maine ranks 36th (from low to high) for its state property tax rate of 1.36%.
There may be additional property taxes on top of the rate stated here depending on your county, city, and school districts.
Check with the Maine tax office for the most current tax rates.
Maine’s Job Market & Economy
Another thing to think about when moving to Maine is the job market and economic indicators.
Overall, Maine ranks 44th for Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in the United States.
The GDP measures the overall monetary value of all goods and services produced within a certain place over a period of time.
Its top 10 industries (ranked from largest to smallest by economic contribution to the state) are:
- Real estate and rental and leasing
- Educational services, health care, and social assistance
- Professional and business services
- Manufacturing
- Retail trade
- Finance and insurance
- Arts, entertainment, recreation, accommodation, and food services
- Wholesale trade
- Construction
- Transportation and warehousing
The top employer in Maine is Hannaford Supermarkets.
Notable Destinations and Landmarks in Maine
Our Maine moving guide wouldn’t be complete without a brief mention of some of the most iconic destinations in the state.
When you get settled in, a road trip may just be in order.
One of the most iconic landmarks in Maine is the Portland Head Light.
National Parks that you can visit in Maine include:
- Acadia National Park
National Monuments that you can find in Maine include:
- Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument
These destinations are all great places to visit when you get a chance.
Facts about Maine
Maine is the 23rd state of the United States that lies in the northeast region. To its north is Canada, to its south and east is the Atlantic Ocean, and to its west is New Hampshire.
What is the capital of Maine?
The capital of Maine is Augusta.
Augusta is located in Kennebec County with a population of 19,136.
What is the population of Maine?
The population of Maine based on 2020 US Census data is 1,362,359.
What is the largest city in Maine?
The largest city in Maine is Portland.
Portland has a population of 66,417, and it is located in Cumberland County.
What is the size of Maine?
Maine is 35,380, making it the 39th largest state in the U.S.
What is the state motto of Maine?
The state motto of Maine is: Dirigo
What is the state bird of Maine?
The state bird of Maine is the Chickadee.
What is the state flower of Maine?
The state flower of Maine is the White pine cone and tassel.
What is the state tree of Maine?
The state tree of Maine is the Eastern White Pine.
What is the minimum wage in the state of Maine?
The minimum wage in Maine is $12.15 per hour.
What is the median income in Maine?
The median annual household salary in Maine is $55,602.