Which place is cheaper, Michigan or Maine?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Maine or Michigan?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Maine and Michigan can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Maine or Michigan?
Maine
The U.S. state of Maine is situated in the northeastern most region of the country. While it is known for its rugged rocky coastline and maritime history, the state also has a landscape of rolling mountains carpeted in thick pine forests, with many peaceful lakes popular with visitors seeking a close to nature kind of getaway. The capital city is Augusta, though the most populous is Portland, which has much to offer in sightseeing attractions and activities.
Michigan
Surrounded by four of the five great lakes, the U.S. state of Michigan consists of two peninsulas, the Upper Peninsula and Lower Peninsula. The Lower Peninsula is the portion shaped like a mitten and is a center of manufacturing and high-tech industry. It is also home to the country's three major automobile companies-General Motors, Ford, and Chrysler-whose headquarters are in the Detroit metropolitan area. The Upper Peninsula is separated from the Lower by the Straits of Mackinac, a five-mile channel that joins Lake Huron to Lake Michigan. In contrast, the Upper Peninsula is sparsely populated and is economically important for its status as a tourist destination and its abundance of natural resources.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from New York City, The Best 2-Week Tours from Anchorage, The Best 2-Week Tours from San Francisco, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Los Angeles.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMaine $207Michigan $120
The average daily cost (per person) in Maine is $207, while the average daily cost in Michigan is $120. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Maine and Michigan in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMaine $107Michigan $63
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMaine $214Michigan $126
Compare Hotels in Maine and Michigan
Looking for a hotel in Maine or Michigan? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Maine $43Michigan $30
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Maine
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Maine:
- Private Transfer from Portland Port to Portland Jetport (PWM): $41
- Private Transfer from Portland Jetport (PWM) to Portland Port: $41
- Private Transfer from Portland Cruise Port to Portland city: $41
- Private Transfer from Portland city to Portland Cruise Port: $41
- Private Transfer from Bangor Airport(BGR) to Rockland Cruise Port: $68
- Private Transfer from Bangor city hotels to Rockland Cruise Port: $68
- Portland Jetport (PWM) to Portland - Arrival Private Transfer: $81
- Portland to Portland Jetport (PWM) - Departure Private Transfer: $81
- Portland Jetport (PWM) to Portland - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $163
Is it cheaper to fly into Maine or Michigan?
Prices for flights to both Michigan and Maine change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Food
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Food Meals for one dayMaine $51Michigan $36
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Maine $33Michigan $18
Tours and Activities in Maine
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Maine are as follows:
- Audio Guided Walking Tour from Old Port of Portland, Maine: $6.75
- Scavenger Hunt Adventure in Portland by Crazy Dash: $10
- Unique Scavenger Hunt Experience in Portland by Wacky Walks: $10
- Acadia: Mount Desert Island Self-Guided Driving Tour: $12
- Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour in Acadia National Park: $13
- Historic Bar Harbor Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour Guide: $15
- Acadia Mount Desert Island Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour: $15
- Acadia's Ocean Path Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour: $15
- Ultimate Portland Self-Guided Driving GPS Audio Tour: $15
- Self-Guided Driving & Walking Bundle of Portland Maine Tours: $17
- Ultimate Acadia National Park Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour: $17
- Acadia National Park & Bar Harbor Self-Guided Driving & Walking Tour: $25
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMaine $23Michigan $20
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Maine and Michigan, we can see that Maine is more expensive. And not only is Michigan much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Michigan would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Michigan and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Maine would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Maine than you might in Michigan.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Maine Expensive? and Is Michigan Expensive?.
Which has a larger population, Maine or Michigan?
Michigan has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Maine. When comparing the sizes of Maine and Michigan, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.