DC to Maryland Moving Guide
Updated June 15, 2025

Planning a 31 mile interstate move from DC to Maryland? This moving guide will help you compare living in DC vs Maryland across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high cost of living vs more affordable housing), food & health (like Half-smoke vs Blue Crab), real estate & housing (victorian, row houses vs colonial, cape cods), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in DC), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Half-smoke and Mumbo Sauce Wings, but get your taste buds ready for Blue Crab & Crab Cake
- Maryland housing costs are 33% less expensive than they are in DC
- Rent in Maryland is 22.25% more affordable than in DC
- Moving from DC to Maryland will cost on average between $1,000 - $3,500
- Our top recommended DC to Maryland movers is AT Movers
DC to Maryland Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from DC to Maryland
- High cost of living
- Traffic congestion
- Limited outdoor space
- Noisy urban environment
- Limited parking
- More affordable housing
- Less crowded roads
- Abundant green parks
- Quieter suburban areas
- Ample parking space
- Quieter evenings
- Less diversity
- Fewer historic sites
- Fewer high-profile jobs
- More car-dependent
- Vibrant nightlife
- Cultural diversity
- Rich history
- Job opportunities
- Public transportation
Pros of moving from DC to Maryland
- Say goodbye to the high cost of living and hello to more affordable housing
- Look forward to moving away from traffic congestion and moving to Maryland with less crowded roads
- Swap the limited outdoor space of DC for abundant green parks in Maryland
- Get ready for quieter suburban areas in Maryland
Cons of moving from DC to Maryland
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the vibrant nightlife in DC to live with quieter evenings in Maryland
- You'll lose out on the pro of cultural diversity and have to settle for the con of less diversity
- Time to bid farewell to the rich history and get used to fewer historic sites in Maryland
- Swap job opportunities for fewer high-profile jobs
DC vs. Maryland: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | DC | Maryland |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Half-smoke | Blue Crab |
Most popular meat dish | Mumbo Sauce Wings | Crab Cake |
Most popular street food item | Jumbo Slice Pizza | Soft Shell Crab Sandwich |
Most popular vegan food | Quinoa Salad | Vegan Crab Cake |
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state |
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Fitness/Health Conscientiousness | 💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪 | 💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪 |
Abundance of Food Trucks | 🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚 | 🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚 |
Foodie Scene | 🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴 | 🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴 |
Vegan Friendly | 🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱 | 🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱 |
If you're moving from DC to Maryland, you will be trading the iconic Half-smoke of DC for the equally delicious Blue Crab of Maryland. And while the locals in DC rave about their flavorful Mumbo Sauce Wings and sumptuous Jumbo Slice Pizza, Maryland residents know they have tasty Crab Cake and Soft Shell Crab Sandwich to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Quinoa Salad they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Vegan Crab Cake of Maryland. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic DC eateries like Ben's Chili Bowl, Zaytinya, and Rose's Luxury. After the boxes are unpacked in Maryland, don't wait too long before making your way to Maryland's acclaimed eateries like Jimmy’s Famous Seafood, G&M Restaurant and Lounge, and Woodberry Kitchen.
When comparing lifestyles, Maryland shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than DC. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Maryland compared to what you are used to in DC. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in Maryland.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between DC and Maryland
Comparison | DC | Maryland |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Victorian, Row houses | Colonial, Cape Cods |
Walkability | 👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟 | 👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟 |
Bikeability | 🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲 | 🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲 |
Urban Lifestyle | 🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️ | 🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Hardwood floors, Rooftop decks | Big yards, Proximity to parks |
- The Victorian and Row houses architecture that DC is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Cape Cod architecture typical of Maryland.
- Compared to DC's real estate listings that commonly reference hardwood floors and rooftop decks, Maryland real estate listings often highlight features like big yards and proximity to parks.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away; Maryland is less walkable than DC.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike; Maryland is less bike-friendly than DC.
- Maryland has less of an urban feel than DC.
- Maryland housing costs are 33% less expensive than they are in DC, with a median home price of $414,972 compared to DC’s $619,320.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Maryland have increased by 33% compared to an 8% increase in DC.
- Rent in Maryland is 22.25% more affordable than in DC.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between DC and Maryland
Comparison | DC | Maryland |
---|---|---|
Days of Sunshine per Year | ☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️ | ☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️ |
Avg. Annual Humidity | 💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦 | 💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦 |
Avg. UV Index | 🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️ | 🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️ |
Natural Disasters | Hurricanes, Floods | Hurricanes, Floods, Tornadoes |
Air Quality | Moderate | Moderate to Good |
Average Summer High/Low (°F) | 89/71 | 87/66 |
Average Winter High/Low (°F) | 47/29 | 42/25 |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 40.5 | 44.5 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 15.4 | 20.6 |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from DC to Maryland. Maryland gets 1% more sunshine days than DC.
- Maryland has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to DC.
- Say goodbye to the possible hurricanes and floods in DC, but be on the lookout for potential hurricanes, floods, and tornadoes in Maryland.
- The average summer high temperature in Maryland is 2 degrees colder than in DC.
- The average winter lows are 4 degrees colder than they are in DC.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Maryland. Maryland receives 4 more inches of rain compared to DC.
Financial & Community Snapshot: DC and Maryland
Comparison | DC | Maryland |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $101,027 | $94,991 |
Cost of Living Index | 140.1 | 124.95 |
State Income Tax | 8.5 | 5.75 |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.55 | 1.10 |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6 | 6 |
Top 3 Industries | Government, Education, Professional Services | Healthcare, Biotech, Education |
Affluence | Prominent | Comfortable |
Poverty | Moderate | Lower |
Homelessness | Significant | Less Noticeable |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Maryland tend to earn about 6% less than in DC
- The COLI in Maryland will be 11% lower than what you are used to living in DC
- The state income tax in MD is 5.75 compared to 8.5 in DC
- The affluence in Maryland is comfortable compared to prominent in DC
- The poverty level is lower in Maryland compared to moderate in DC
- In terms of homelessness, it is significant in DC and less noticeable in Maryland
Political and Religious Climate in DC vs. Maryland
Comparison | DC | Maryland |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Heavily Democratic | Leans Democratic |
Local Politics | Municipal governance, no congressional representation | County-based government with full congressional representation |
Religion | Varied; significant African American churches | Varied; notable Catholic and Jewish communities |
- DC tends to lean heavily Democratic in its political climate
- Maryland, on the other hand, is often described as leaning Democratic
- Maryland's religious environment can be described as varied with notable Catholic and Jewish communities
- DC's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as varied with significant African American churches
Education Guide When Moving from DC to Maryland
Comparison | DC | Maryland |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | Georgetown University George Washington University Howard University | University of Maryland Johns Hopkins University Towson University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Janney Elementary Lafayette Elementary Mann Elementary | Fulton Elementary Westbrook Elementary Bannockburn Elementary |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Deal Middle School Hardy Middle School Jefferson Middle School Academy | Thomas W. Pyle Middle Herbert Hoover Middle Cabin John Middle |
Top 3 High School Schools | Wilson High School School Without Walls High School Banneker High School | Walt Whitman High Winston Churchill High Thomas S. Wootton High |
Top 3 private high schools | Georgetown Prep (North Bethesda) Gonzaga College High School Sidwell Friends School | Gilman School (Baltimore) Holton-Arms School (Bethesda) Landon School (Bethesda) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Sidwell Friends School Georgetown Day School Maret School | The Bullis School (Potomac) Holton-Arms School (Bethesda) Landon School (Bethesda) |
Top 3 School Districts | DC Public Schools | Montgomery County Public Schools Howard County Public School System Frederick County Public Schools |
How Much Do DC to Maryland Movers Cost?
Moving 31 miles from DC to Maryland will typically cost between $1,500 and $3,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $1,500 - $3,500
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-8 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: AT Movers
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,037 | 300 ft3 | $3.46 |
1 Bedroom | $1,536 | 450 ft3 | $3.41 |
2 Bedrooms | $2,529 | 750 ft3 | $3.37 |
3 Bedrooms | $3,662 | 1100 ft3 | $3.33 |
4 Bedrooms | $5,259 | 1600 ft3 | $3.29 |
5+ Bedrooms | $5,840 | 1800 ft3 | $3.24 |
Top DC to Maryland Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best DC to Maryland movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.