Arizona to Maryland Moving Guide
Updated June 9, 2025

Planning a 2,200 mile interstate move from Arizona to Maryland? This moving guide will help you compare living in Arizona vs Maryland across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like intense summer heat vs temperate climate), food & health (like Chimichanga vs Crab Cakes), real estate & housing (spanish colonial vs colonial revival), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Maryland), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Chimichanga and Carne Asada, but get your taste buds ready for Crab Cakes & Fried Chicken
- Maryland housing costs are 4% less expensive than they are in Arizona
- Rent in Maryland is 2.51% more affordable than in Arizona
- Moving from Arizona to Maryland will cost on average between $2,500 - $9,000
- Our top recommended Arizona to Maryland movers is Sterling Interstate LLC
Arizona to Maryland Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Arizona to Maryland
- Intense summer heat
- Limited water resources
- Sparse greenery
- Dust storms
- Temperate climate
- Abundant water bodies
- Lush landscapes
- Stable air quality
- Higher property taxes
- More cloudy days
- Higher cost of living
- Congested roads
- Lower property taxes
- Ample sunshine
- Lower cost of living
- Less traffic
Pros of moving from Arizona to Maryland
- Say goodbye to intense summer heat and hello to a temperate climate
- Look forward to moving away from limited water resources and moving to Maryland with abundant water bodies
- Swap the sparse greenery of Arizona for lush landscapes in Maryland
- Get ready for stable air quality in Maryland
Cons of moving from Arizona to Maryland
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from lower property taxes in Arizona to live with higher property taxes in Maryland
- You'll lose out on the pro of ample sunshine and have to settle for the con of more cloudy days
- Time to bid farewell to a lower cost of living and get used to a higher cost of living in Maryland
- Swap less traffic for congested roads
Arizona vs. Maryland: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Arizona | Maryland |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Chimichanga | Crab Cakes |
Most popular meat dish | Carne Asada | Fried Chicken |
Most popular street food item | Tacos | Soft Shell Crab Sandwich |
Most popular vegan food | Vegan Tacos | Grilled Veggie Platter |
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state |
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Fitness/Health Conscientiousness | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ |
Abundance of Food Trucks | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Foodie Scene | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ |
Vegan Friendly | π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π± | π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π± |
If you're moving from Arizona to Maryland, you will be trading the iconic Chimichanga of Arizona for the equally delicious Crab Cakes of Maryland. And while the locals in Arizona rave about their flavorful Carne Asada and sumptuous Tacos, Maryland residents know they have tasty Fried Chicken and Soft Shell Crab Sandwiches to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Vegan Tacos they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Grilled Veggie Platter of Maryland. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Arizona eateries like Pizzeria Bianco, El Charro CafΓ©, and The Dish Bistro. After the boxes are unpacked in Maryland, don't wait too long before making your way to Maryland's acclaimed eateries like Cline's Landing, Faidley Seafood, and Bertha's Mussels.
When comparing lifestyles, Maryland shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Arizona. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Maryland compared to what you are used to in Arizona. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Maryland.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Arizona and Maryland
Comparison | Arizona | Maryland |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Spanish Colonial | Colonial Revival |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Desert landscaping, outdoor living spaces | Proximity to water, historic features |
- The Spanish Colonial architecture that Arizona is known for will be replaced with the Colonial Revival architecture typical of Maryland.
- Compared to Arizona's real estate listings, which commonly reference desert landscaping and outdoor living spaces, Maryland real estate listings often highlight features like proximity to water and historic elements.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Maryland is more walkable than Arizona.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Maryland is more bike-friendly than Arizona.
- Maryland has more of an urban feel than Arizona.
- Maryland housing costs are 4% less expensive than they are in Arizona, with a median home price of $414,972 compared to Arizonaβs $430,827.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Maryland have increased 33% compared to a 63% increase in Arizona.
- Rent in Maryland is 2.51% more affordable than in Arizona.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Arizona and Maryland
Comparison | Arizona | Maryland |
---|---|---|
Days of Sunshine per Year | βοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈ | βοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈ |
Avg. Annual Humidity | π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦ | π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦ |
Avg. UV Index | πΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈ | πΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈ |
Natural Disasters | Wildfires, Heatwaves | Hurricanes, Nor'easters |
Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 104Β°F / 75Β°F | 89Β°F / 68Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 67Β°F / 46Β°F | 45Β°F / 29Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 12.7 | 44.5 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 0.3 | 20.6 |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Arizona to Maryland. Maryland gets 26% fewer sunshine days than Arizona.
- Maryland has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Arizona.
- Say goodbye to the possible wildfires and heatwaves in Arizona, but be on the lookout for potential hurricanes and nor'easters in Maryland.
- Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in Maryland is 15 degrees colder than in Arizona.
- The average winter lows are 17 degrees colder than they are in Arizona.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Maryland. Maryland receives 31.8 more inches of rain compared to Arizona.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Arizona and Maryland
Comparison | Arizona | Maryland |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $74,568 | $94,991 |
Cost of Living Index | 101.2 | 124.95 |
State Income Tax | 4.5% | 5.75% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.66% | 1.10% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 5.60% | 6.00% |
Top 3 Industries | Healthcare, Retail, Construction | Healthcare, Government, Education |
Affluence | Moderate | Higher |
Poverty | Moderate | Lower |
Homelessness | Moderate | Lower |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Maryland tend to earn about 27% more than in Arizona
- The COLI in Maryland will be 23% higher than what you are used to living in Arizona
- The state income tax in MD is 5.75% compared to 4.5% in AZ
- The affluence in Maryland is higher compared to moderate affluence in Arizona
- The poverty level is lower in Maryland compared to moderate poverty in Arizona
- In terms of homelessness, it is moderate in Arizona and lower in Maryland
Political and Religious Climate in Arizona vs. Maryland
Comparison | Arizona | Maryland |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Mixed; historically Republican, shifting closer to swing state in recent elections | Primarily Democratic, especially in urban areas such as Baltimore and <a href="https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Montgomery County</a> |
Local Politics | Emphasis on state rights, border security, and economic development | Focuses on environment protection, healthcare, and education reform |
Religion | Christianity predominant, with a significant population identifying as Evangelical Protestant | Diverse religious landscape; Catholicism is prominent due to historical connections |
- Arizona tends to lean mixed, historically Republican and shifting closer to a swing state in recent elections in its political climate
- Maryland, on the other hand, is often described as primarily Democratic, especially in urban areas such as Baltimore and <a href="https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Montgomery County</a>
- Maryland's religious environment can be described as a diverse religious landscape, with Catholicism being prominent due to historical connections
- Arizona's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as predominantly Christianity, with a significant population identifying as Evangelical Protestant
Education Guide When Moving from Arizona to Maryland
Comparison | Arizona | Maryland |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Arizona Arizona State University Northern Arizona University | University of Maryland Johns Hopkins University Towson University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Knox Gifted Academy (Chandler) BASIS Scottsdale Primary - East Campus (Scottsdale) Benchmark School (Phoenix) | Cold Spring Elementary (Potomac) Stone Mill Elementary (North Potomac) Bannockburn Elementary (Bethesda) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | BASIS Chandler (Chandler) BASIS Peoria (Peoria) BASIS Scottsdale (Scottsdale) | Thomas W. Pyle Middle School (Bethesda) Herbert Hoover Middle School (Potomac) Eastern Middle School (Silver Spring) |
Top 3 High School Schools | BASIS Scottsdale (Scottsdale) BASIS Chandler (Chandler) BASIS Peoria (Peoria) | Walter Johnson High School (Bethesda) Winston Churchill High School (Potomac) Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School (Bethesda) |
Top 3 private high schools | Brophy College Preparatory (Phoenix) Xavier College Preparatory (Phoenix) The Gregory School (Tucson) | Gilman School (Baltimore) Holton-Arms School (Bethesda) McDonogh School (Owings Mills) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | The Gregory School (Tucson) Rancho Solano Preparatory School (Scottsdale) Phoenix Country Day School (Paradise Valley) | Gilman School (Baltimore) Friends School of Baltimore (Baltimore) Sandy Spring Friends School (Sandy Spring) |
Top 3 School Districts | Scottsdale Unified School District Chandler Unified School District Gilbert Public Schools | Howard County Public Schools Montgomery County Public Schools Frederick County Public Schools |
How Much Do Arizona to Maryland Movers Cost?
Moving 2,200 miles from Arizona to Maryland will typically cost between $3,500 and $9,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $3,500 - $9,000
- Expected Time To Complete: 3-10 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: AT Movers
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $2,450 | 300 ft3 | $8.17 |
1 Bedroom | $3,652 | 450 ft3 | $8.12 |
2 Bedrooms | $6,049 | 750 ft3 | $8.07 |
3 Bedrooms | $8,817 | 1100 ft3 | $8.02 |
4 Bedrooms | $12,745 | 1600 ft3 | $7.97 |
5+ Bedrooms | $14,248 | 1800 ft3 | $7.92 |
Top Arizona to Maryland Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Arizona to Maryland movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Sterling Interstate LLC
Best moving company overall for Arizona to Maryland