There’s a lot to think about when moving to Maine from Wisconsin. From differences in the cost of living to insurance premiums along with getting over to the Maine DMV to transfer your Wisconsin driver’s license and vehicle registration, you’ll want to do some budgeting and planning before you make the move.
Relocalate.com has done the heavy lifting for you. Our expert researchers have compiled the key things you need to know when moving to Maine from Wisconsin. Find out what you can expect to pay in federal and Maine state taxes, whether you’ll be spending more or less in key cost of living categories, and how long you’ll have to get a new driver’s license and car registration. Plus, you can even get a head start on saving the most money when you move by comparing free quotes for health coverage, car insurance, home/renters insurance, and more.
License & Registration
Transfer your Wisconsin driver’s license to Maine within 30 days.
Transfer your vehicles & get Maine license plates within 30 days.
On this page, you’ll be able to:
- See how the cost of living compares for Maine and Wisconsin.
- Estimate how much more or less you can expect to pay in state and federal income taxes after you move to Maine.
- Find out what to expect when it comes to Maine property taxes, buying a home, and home insurance premiums.
- Learn whether you’ll be able to save some money or have to spend a little more in key cost of living categories including groceries, transportation, housing, and healthcare.
- Find out what you’ll need to do with the Maine DMV to transfer your Wisconsin driver’s license and vehicle registration. (And how long you’ll have to do it.)
- Estimate how much it will cost to move from Wisconsin to Maine.
- BONUS: Start saving money today by comparing free quotes for all your new insurance policies in Maine.
Moving to Maine from Wisconsin Checklist
- 1. Estimate the cost of the move.
- 2. Update your insurance policies.
- 3. Be prepared to transfer your Wisconsin license & registration to Maine.
- 4. Budget and prepare for cost of living changes.
- 5. Change your address and forward your mail through USPS.
- 6. Register to vote.
- 7. Update your new address with your banks, loans, and other accounts.
- 8. Set up your utilities and services at your new home.
Find some more tips and to-dos for Moving to Maine here.
Cost of Moving from Wisconsin to Maine
Unfortunately moving can be expensive. Moving to a brand new state usually comes with some extra costs.
Use this moving cost calculator to get a rough idea of how much your move from Wisconsin to Maine will cost.
The rough distance between Maine and Wisconsin is 1,012 miles. We’ll use that for our calculations. Select the size of your home that you’ll be moving to get an idea of the costs.
Moving Cost Calculator: Wisconsin to Maine
Remember, this is just a rough estimate. The cost of your move will vary depending on the company you choose, your belongings, and other circumstances.
Update Your Insurance Policies for Coverage in Maine
Don’t wait! Update your car insurance coverage for Maine
When you move to Maine, you’ll want to make sure that you’ll be covered for all of life’s unexpected situations. That means updating your insurance policies with your new address and the minimum requirements for Maine.
Maine Car Insurance
One of the first policies you’ll want to update when you move is going to be your car insurance coverage.
In Maine, the minimum liability coverage is $50,000 bodily injury liability per person, $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident, $25,000 property damage liability per accident, $50,000 uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage per person, $100,000 uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage per accident, $2,000 medical payments coverage.
Average Cost of Minimum Coverage
$225
On average, the annual premium for a minimum liability coverage policy is lower in Maine. You’ll likely pay less for car insurance in Maine than you did in Wisconsin.
Average Cost of Full Coverage
$941
On average, the annual premium for a full coverage auto insurance policy is higher in Maine. You’ll likely pay more for full coverage in Maine than you did in Wisconsin.
Do you own a motorcycle?
Maine Home & Renter’s Insurance
Whether you’ll rent or own your new home, you’ll want to make sure you have the right coverage when you arrive.
Let’s face it, accidents happen during a move. Make sure you have the coverage you need to protect your belongings and your house.
Average Cost of Homeowner’s Insurance
$947
You can usually expect that the annual premium for home insurance will be higher in Maine. You’ll likely pay more for your home insurance policy in Maine than you did in Wisconsin.
Will you own or rent your home?
Maine Health Insurance
You’ll also need to make sure that you and your family have health coverage once you arrive in Maine.
If you’ll be keeping your job when you move, be sure to ask your employer about any implications for your current health insurance policy.
You’ll need to find out which hospitals and plans are available near your new home. Spend some time researching providers in your area.
Healthcare Costs in Maine
Lower
Generally, healthcare costs are lower in Maine. You’ll likely pay less for healthcare in Maine than you did in Wisconsin.
Will you be keeping health insurance with your current employer?
Find Health Coverage ➜
Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) Tasks when Moving to Maine from Wisconsin
Transfer your Wisconsin Driver’s License
within 30 days.
After you’ve moved to Maine, you’ll need to get a valid driver’s license.
Transfer your Wisconsin Car Registration
within 30 days.
You’ll also need to transfer your vehicle registration and get Maine license plates.
When you become a resident of Maine, you’ll need to transfer your Wisconsin driver’s license and vehicle registration.
You’ll also need to update your car insurance policies so that they meet the minimum requirements for Maine. Sometimes this can come with a rate hike, so it’s always a smart idea to shop around.
The minimum liability coverage you’ll need in Maine is $50,000 bodily injury liability per person, $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident, $25,000 property damage liability per accident, $50,000 uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage per person, $100,000 uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage per accident, $2,000 medical payments coverage.
You can start comparing car insurance quotes for Maine for free right here on Relocalate.com.
Transfer Your Wisconsin Driver’s License to Maine
Minimum Age for a Maine Driver’s License
16 years, 9 months old
A standard Maine driver’s license is available to residents who are at least 16 years, 9 months old.
Maine Driver’s License Expires
every 6 years
You’ll need to renew your driver’s license every 6 years.
Maine Driver’s License Cost
$30.00
A driver’s license will cost around $30.00.
One of the first things you’ll want to do after becoming a resident of Maine is to get a driver’s license.
In fact, new residents should apply for their Maine driver’s license within 30 days.
In Maine, driver’s licenses are issued by the BMV.
To apply, you’ll need to:
- Complete the Maine Driver’s License Application.
- Surrender your Wisconsin driver’s license.
- Present the necessary proof of identity and residency with your new Maine address.
- Pass any required testing.
- Take a photo.
- Pay the driver’s license fee.
After applying and passing any necessary tests, you’ll receive a temporary paper license. The Maine BMV will mail you your new license, and it should arrive within a few weeks.
For official information and for details about scheduling appointments, visit https://www.maine.gov/sos/bmv/.
Maine Driver’s License Knowledge Exam
Total Questions on the Maine Driver’s License Test
30 total questions
The Maine knowledge exam will typically consist of 30 total questions that are based on the driver’s handbook.
Passing Score
80%
You’ll need to score 80% to pass the test.
When you transfer your Wisconsin license to Maine, you should be prepared to pass the driver’s license written exam.
While not every applicant will be required to take the test, it is still a good idea to brush up on traffic laws in Maine.
Before you visit the BMV, take some time to study the official driver’s handbook for Maine. While many traffic laws and safety rules are universal from state to state, there are some specifics that may be a little different.
Assuming your Wisconsin driver’s license is valid and unexpired, you should not need to take the Maine driving test.
Is your Wisconsin driver’s license valid?
One potential hang up to be aware of is around the validity of your Wisconsin driver’s license.
To make things as easy as possible, your Wisconsin license should be valid when you apply for a license in Maine.
Ideally what this means is that you should clear any issues with the Wisconsin DMV BEFORE you move.
For example:
- If your Wisconsin driver’s license is lost or damaged, you should replace it before moving.
- If your Wisconsin driver’s license is suspended or revoked, you should try to reinstate it before you move.
If your Wisconsin driver’s license is expired when you go to apply for your Maine license, it’s possible that the BMV will treat it like a brand new application, which may require a written exam and a road test, plus any other requirements for new drivers.
The bottom line: Try to take care of any issues with your Wisconsin driver’s license BEFORE you move and visit the Maine DMV.
Transfer Your Car Registration from Wisconsin to Maine
If you’re going to bring your car with you when you move, you’ll also need to transfer your Wisconsin registration to Maine.
Vehicle registration and titles are handled by the Maine BMV.
You can find more specific details for your vehicle registration and official information at https://www.maine.gov/sos/bmv/
Maine Registration Fee Basis
flat rate
Maine vehicle registration fees are generally calculated by flat rate.
Registration Base Fee Estimate
$35+
Additional fees may vary based on vehicle type as well as any local fees and taxes.
Maine Registration Expiration
every year
In Maine, you’ll need to renew your registration every year.
Front License Plates
Maine requires that vehicles display a front license plate.
Vehicle Safety Inspections
Period vehicle safety inspections are required annually in Maine.
Smog & Emissions Testing
Emissions testing is required annually for Cumberland County only in Maine.
New residents in Maine are required to transfer their out-of-state vehicle registration within 30 days.
When moving to Maine with vehicles from Wisconsin, you should be prepared to:
- Complete an application for Maine registration and title.
- Present your current registration documents from Wisconsin.
- Provide any other necessary proof of ownership documents (title, lease agreement, lienholder information, etc.)
- Pass any necessary vehicle inspections required for Maine registration.
- Have a valid Maine insurance policy for your vehicles.
- Pay the registration fees.
Notify the Wisconsin DMV
While it’s not always a requirement, it can be worthwhile to update your address with the Wisconsin DMV and notify them that you have moved out of the state.
This can often be done on the DMV website, and will prevent you from receiving any renewal notices for your old driver’s license and registrations.
Taxes in Maine vs Wisconsin
Differences in taxes are a big consideration in any state to state move.
Unfortunately, it’s not all black and white. In order to get the full picture, it’s important to consider all of your potential tax burdens when moving from Wisconsin to Maine including state income tax, property taxes, and sales tax.
Plus, you’ll need to think about how the overall cost of living on key spending categories is going to compare. More on that below.
For example, if you’re a homeowner, it’ll be smart to look at both income tax differences, property tax burdens, as well as average home prices to get a more accurate idea of your tax savings or hike once you move to Maine.
We’ll cover some key differences in your tax savings and tax hikes when moving to Maine from Wisconsin.
For simplicity’s sake, we’ll be comparing effective tax rates, which simplify the marginal tax rates and tax brackets in each state to look at the estimated average total tax you may be paying.
Note that your tax situation may be much different than the estimates provided here. Use these as a high-level comparison tool.
Federal & State Income Taxes when Moving to Maine from Wisconsin
Overall, you’ll likely be looking at an income tax hike when moving to Maine from Wisconsin.
Maine Income Tax (effective rates)
4.07% (single) & 3.78% (joint)
Maine has a state income tax with an effective rate of 4.07% for single filers, and 3.78% for married couples filing jointly.
Effective Rates: Federal + State Income Taxes
20.13%
On average, the effective income tax rate (state + federal) is higher in Maine. You’ll likely pay more in income tax in Maine than you did in Wisconsin.
Tax Comparison Calculator
Effective income tax rates (Federal + State):
- Maine: 20.13% (single), 19.44% (joint)
- Wisconsin: 19.52% (single), 19.54% (joint)
In Maine, your tax would be . In Wisconsin, your tax would be .
You would pay more in than in .
When comparing your overall tax burdens between states, it can help to look at both the state and federal income tax rates.
Remember, this comparison is looking at the effective rates in order to simplify things.
Here’s a high level look at how your effective tax rates may be different after you move to Maine from Wisconsin
- State Income Tax (single filers): 4.07% in Maine vs 3.45% in Wisconsin
- State Income Tax (joint filers): 3.78% in Maine vs 3.65% in Wisconsin
- Federal + State Income Tax (single filers): 20.13% in Maine vs 19.52% in Wisconsin
- Federal + State Income Tax (joint filers): 19.44% in Maine vs 19.54% in Wisconsin
Sales Tax in Maine vs Wisconsin
Next, it’s helpful to consider the differences in sales tax.
Sales tax is a consumption tax you pay when you buy goods and services. It is typically calculated as a percentage of the final price you pay.
Note that many states have a state-wide sales tax and local governments and municipalities can charge an additional sales tax on top of that. This comparison looks at the state-wide sales tax.
Maine Sales Tax
5.50%
Maine has a state sales tax rate of 5.5%.
The sales tax rate is higher in Maine. You’ll likely pay more on sales tax in Maine than you did in Wisconsin.
Property Taxes in Maine vs Wisconsin
If you’re a homeowner, or plan to buy a home in Maine, it’s also a good idea to take a look at the difference in property taxes and home values.
Maine Property Tax Estimate
1.36%
The property tax rate is lower in Maine. You’ll likely pay less for property taxes in Maine than you did in Wisconsin.
Home Prices in Maine
$190,400
On average, the average home price is higher in Maine. You’ll likely pay more for a house in Maine than you did in Wisconsin.
This is also a good time to back sure you are getting the best deal on your Maine homeowner’s insurance policy.
How Does the Cost of Living Compare in Maine vs Wisconsin?
Cost of living is another major difference when moving to a brand new state.
Depending on the local industries, geography, region, and population, the price of different goods and services can vary greatly.
Now, the cost of living will also depend on your own lifestyle, spending habits, and which city you move to in Maine.
Cost of living (COL) indexes are used to compare each state to the national average of 100. The difference between COL values higher or lower than 100 represent the percentage difference from the national average.
We can compare the cost of living indexes for Maine and Wisconsin to get a high level idea of whether we’ll be saving money or have to spend a bit more on the following categories:
- Overall Cost of Living.
- Groceries.
- Housing.
- Utilities.
- Transportation.
- Healthcare.
- Miscellaneous goods and service.
Overall, the cost of living in Maine is
11.50% more expensive
than the national average, compared to -5.00% cheaper for Wisconsin.
Maine Cost of Living Index
111.5
National Avg: 100
On average, the cost of living is higher in Maine. You’ll likely pay more for many things in Maine than you did in Wisconsin.
Cost of Groceries
1.20% more expensive
than the national avg.
Typically, the cost of groceries is higher in Maine. You’ll likely pay more for groceries in Maine than you did in Wisconsin.
Housing Costs
18.90% more expensive
than the national avg.
Generally, the cost of housing (rent/mortgage/etc) is higher in Maine. You’ll likely pay more for housing costs in Maine than you did in Wisconsin.
Maine Utilities
8.00% more expensive
than the national avg.
The cost of utilities is typically higher in Maine. You’ll likely pay more for your monthly utility bills in Maine than you did in Wisconsin.
Transportation Costs
12.80% more expensive
than the national avg.
On average, the cost of transportation is higher in Maine. You’ll likely pay more on transportation in Maine than you did in Wisconsin.
Healthcare in Maine
-3.80% cheaper
than the national avg.
Generally, healthcare costs are lower in Maine. You’ll likely pay less for healthcare in Maine than you did in Wisconsin.
Miscellaneous Costs
12.80% more expensive
than the national avg.
The cost of miscellaneous goods and services are generally higher in Maine. You’ll likely pay more for these things in Maine than you did in Wisconsin.
Relocalate.com Methodology
While big changes like moving to a new state can be exciting, we also know that any move can be stressful. That’s why we created Relocalate.com.
The data and comparisons on this page are designed to give you a high level look at what you can expect when moving from Wisconsin to Maine.
Our free moving tools and calculators are here to help you play around with the numbers so you can start working on a budget for your big move to Maine.
We’ve crunched the numbers from census data, federal government resources, state and local data, as well as interviews and chats with people who’ve made the move from Wisconsin to Maine.
While there are many things we can’t control when moving to a new state, like the overall cost of living and housing prices, we’ve found that one of the single most effective ways to save money is by getting a better deal on your insurance policies.
That’s why we’ve partnered with trusted insurance providers and some of the best in Maine to bring your free quote tools that you can access while you plan out your move.
Good luck! We wish you the best as you get settled into your home and start feeling like a Maine local.