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Kentucky to Maryland Moving Guide

Updated June 16, 2025

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Planning a 544 mile interstate move from Kentucky to Maryland? This moving guide will help you compare living in Kentucky vs Maryland across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like limited job market vs diverse job opportunities), food & health (like Fried Chicken vs Crab Cakes), real estate & housing (colonial, craftsman vs colonial, cape cod), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Maryland), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Fried Chicken and Hot Brown, but get your taste buds ready for Crab Cakes & Steamed Crabs
  • Maryland housing costs are 106% more expensive than they are in Kentucky
  • Rent in Maryland is 42.50% more expensive than in Kentucky
  • Moving from Kentucky to Maryland will cost on average between $1,500 - $5,500
  • Our top recommended Kentucky to Maryland movers is AT Movers

Kentucky to Maryland Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Kentucky to Maryland

ConsKentucky iconKentucky
  • Limited job market
  • Hot, humid summers
  • Lack of coastal access
  • Fewer cultural hubs
ProsMaryland iconMaryland
  • Diverse job opportunities
  • Milder summer climate
  • Proximity to beaches
  • Rich cultural scene

Maryland iconMaryland
  • Higher living expenses
  • More transient population
  • Urban congestion
  • Heavier traffic levels
Kentucky iconKentucky
  • Low cost of living
  • Friendly communities
  • Beautiful landscapes
  • Less traffic congestion

Pros of moving from Kentucky to Maryland

  • Say goodbye to limited job market and hello to diverse job opportunities
  • Look forward to moving away from hot, humid summers and moving to Maryland with milder summer climate
  • Swap the lack of coastal access of Kentucky for proximity to beaches in Maryland
  • Get ready for a rich cultural scene in Maryland

Cons of moving from Kentucky to Maryland

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the low cost of living in Kentucky to live with higher living expenses in Maryland
  • You'll lose out on the pro of friendly communities and have to settle with the con of a more transient population
  • Time to bid farewell to beautiful landscapes and get used to urban congestion in Maryland
  • Swap less traffic congestion for heavier traffic levels

Kentucky vs. Maryland: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonKentuckyMaryland
Most iconic local food itemFried ChickenCrab Cakes
Most popular meat dishHot BrownSteamed Crabs
Most popular street food itemBurgooSoft Shell Crab Sandwich
Most popular vegan foodKentucky Fried CauliflowerBlack-Eyed Pea Salad
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Phillips Seafood
  • Cirotti’s
  • Woodberry Kitchen
Fitness/Health ConscientiousnessπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺ
Abundance of Food Trucks🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚
Foodie Scene🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴
Vegan Friendly🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱

If you're moving from Kentucky to Maryland, you will be trading the iconic Fried Chicken of Kentucky for the equally delicious Crab Cakes of Maryland. And while the locals in Kentucky rave about their flavorful Hot Brown and sumptuous Burgoo, Maryland residents know they have tasty Steamed Crabs and Soft Shell Crab Sandwich to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Kentucky Fried Cauliflower they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Black-Eyed Pea Salad of Maryland. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Kentucky eateries like Corbett's An American Place, Seviche A Latin Restaurant, and Jack Fry's. After the boxes are unpacked in Maryland, don't wait too long before making your way to Maryland's acclaimed eateries like Phillips Seafood, Cirotti’s, and Woodberry Kitchen.

When comparing lifestyles, Maryland shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Kentucky. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Maryland compared to what you are used to in Kentucky. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Maryland.

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Kentucky and Maryland

ComparisonKentuckyMaryland
Typical Architecture StyleColonial, CraftsmanColonial, Cape Cod
WalkabilityπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘Ÿ
Bikeability🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲
Urban LifestyleπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈ
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listingSpacious yards, garagesWaterfront properties, proximity to amenities
  • The Colonial and Craftsman architecture that Kentucky is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Cape Cod architecture typical of Maryland.
  • Compared to Kentucky's real estate listings that commonly reference spacious yards and garages, Maryland real estate listings often highlight features like waterfront properties and proximity to amenities.
  • Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Maryland is more walkable than Kentucky.
  • Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Maryland is more bike-friendly than Kentucky.
  • Maryland has more of an urban feel than Kentucky.
  • Maryland housing costs are 106% more expensive than they are in Kentucky, with a median home price of $414,972 compared to Kentucky’s $201,332.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Maryland have increased by 33% compared to a 47% increase in Kentucky.
  • Rent in Maryland is 42.50% more expensive than in Kentucky.

Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Kentucky and Maryland

ComparisonKentuckyMaryland
Days of Sunshine per Yearβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈ
Avg. Annual HumidityπŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦
Avg. UV IndexπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈ
Natural DisastersTornados, FloodsHurricanes, Floods
Air QualityGoodModerate
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)87Β°F / 66Β°F85Β°F / 66Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)41Β°F / 23Β°F42Β°F / 29Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)45"40"
Annual Snowfall (Inches)22"20"
  • Break out the sunglasses for your move from Kentucky to Maryland. Maryland gets 9% more sunshine days than Kentucky.
  • Maryland has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Kentucky.
  • Say goodbye to the possible tornadoes and floods in Kentucky, but be on the lookout for potential hurricanes and floods in Maryland.
  • The average summer high temperature in Maryland is 2 degrees colder than in Kentucky.
  • The average winter lows are 6 degrees warmer than they are in Kentucky.
  • Your umbrella might be neglected in Maryland. Maryland receives 5 fewer inches of rain compared to Kentucky.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Kentucky and Maryland

ComparisonKentuckyMaryland
Avg. Household Income$59,341$94,991
Cost of Living Index87.8124.95
State Income Tax5%5.75%
Avg. Property Tax0.83%1.10%
Avg. Sales Tax6%6%
Top 3 IndustriesManufacturing, Healthcare, AutomotiveBiotechnology, IT, Aerospace
AffluenceModestProsperous
PovertyPrevalentLess Prevalent
HomelessnessModerateManageable
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Maryland tend to earn about 60% more than those in Kentucky
  • The COLI in Maryland is 42% higher than what you are used to living in Kentucky
  • The state income tax in MD is 5.75% compared to 5% in KY
  • The affluence in Maryland is prosperous compared to modest in Kentucky
  • The poverty level is less prevalent in Maryland compared to prevalent in Kentucky
  • In terms of homelessness, it is moderate in Kentucky and manageable in Maryland

Political and Religious Climate in Kentucky vs. Maryland

ComparisonKentuckyMaryland
Political Make-upLean ConservativeLean Liberal
Local PoliticsRepublican DominanceDemocratic Dominance
ReligionChristian MajorityDiverse, Christian Plurality
  • Kentucky tends to lean Conservative in its political climate
  • Maryland, on the other hand, is often described as lean Liberal
  • Maryland's religious environment can be described as diverse, with a Christian plurality
  • Kentucky's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as a Christian majority

Education Guide When Moving from Kentucky to Maryland

ComparisonKentuckyMaryland
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)University of Kentucky
University of Louisville
Western Kentucky University
University of Maryland
Johns Hopkins University
Towson University
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsBrandies Elementary School (Louisville)
Rosa Parks Elementary (Lexington)
Mann Elementary (Union)
Cold Spring Elementary (Potomac)
West Towson Elementary (Towson)
Stone Mill Elementary (North Potomac)
Top 3 Middle SchoolsBarret Traditional Middle School (Louisville)
Beaumont Middle School (Lexington)
Highlands Middle School (Fort Thomas)
Thomas W. Pyle Middle School (Bethesda)
Takoma Park Middle School (Takoma Park)
Herbert Hoover Middle School (Potomac)
Top 3 High SchoolsDuPont Manual High School (Louisville)
Gatton Academy (Bowling Green)
North Oldham High School (Goshen)
Walt Whitman High School (Bethesda)
Winston Churchill High School (Potomac)
Thomas S. Wootton High School (Rockville)
Top 3 private high schoolsSacred Heart Academy (Louisville)
St. Xavier High School (Louisville)
Lexington Catholic High School (Lexington)
Gilman School (Baltimore)
Holton-Arms School (Bethesda)
The Bryn Mawr School (Baltimore)
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsLexington Christian Academy (Lexington)
Louisville Collegiate School (Louisville)
The Vanguard Academy (Lexington)
Maryland International School (Elkridge)
Landon School (Bethesda)
Sandy Spring Friends School (Sandy Spring)
Top 3 School DistrictsFayette County Public Schools
Jefferson County Public Schools
Oldham County Schools
Montgomery County Public Schools
Howard County Public School System
Anne Arundel County Public Schools

How Much Do Kentucky to Maryland Movers Cost?

Moving 544 miles from Kentucky to Maryland will typically cost between $2,000 and $5,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.

  • Expected Range: $2,000 - $5,500
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-8 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: AT Movers
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,511300 ft3$5.04
1 Bedroom$2,244450 ft3$4.99
2 Bedrooms$3,702750 ft3$4.94
3 Bedrooms$5,3751100 ft3$4.89
4 Bedrooms$7,7381600 ft3$4.84
5+ Bedrooms$8,6151800 ft3$4.79

Top Kentucky to Maryland Movers

Read our in-depth analysis of the best Kentucky to Maryland movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

TOP PICK
AT Movers featured image

AT Movers

Best moving company overall for Kentucky to Maryland

9.65/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
AJ Moving Services LLC featured image

AJ Moving Services LLC

9.57/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
From Here to There featured image

From Here to There

9.16/10
ExceptionalView details

Louisville to Maryland

Lexington to Maryland