Maryland to Alabama Moving Guide
Updated June 4, 2025

Planning a 868 mile interstate move from Maryland to Alabama? This moving guide will help you compare living in Maryland vs Alabama across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high property taxes vs lower housing costs), food & health (like Crab Cakes vs Barbecue Ribs), real estate & housing (colonial, cape cod vs antebellum, craftsman), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Maryland), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Crab Cakes and Fried Chicken, but get your taste buds ready for Barbecue Ribs & Pulled Pork
- Alabama housing costs are 46% less expensive than they are in Maryland
- Rent in Alabama is 20.99% more affordable than in Maryland
- Moving from Maryland to Alabama will cost on average between $1,500 - $6,000
- Our top recommended Maryland to Alabama movers is AT Movers
Maryland to Alabama Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Maryland to Alabama
- High property taxes
- Cold, snowy winters
- Dense traffic
- Costly suburban living
- High living expenses
- Lower housing costs
- Mild, warmer climate
- Slower pace of life
- Affordable rural areas
- Lower overall cost of living
- Lacks coastal access
- Less governmental job opportunities
- Fewer cultural events
- Less historical importance
- Less diverse economy
- Atlantic coastline
- Proximity to D.C.
- Diverse cultural scene
- Rich history
- Vibrant economy
Pros of moving from Maryland to Alabama
- Say goodbye to high property taxes and hello to lower housing costs
- Look forward to moving away from cold, snowy winters and moving to Alabama with a mild, warmer climate
- Swap the dense traffic of Maryland for a slower pace of life in Alabama
- Get ready for affordable rural areas in Alabama
Cons of moving from Maryland to Alabama
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the Atlantic coastline in Maryland to live with a lack of coastal access in Alabama
- You'll lose out on the pro of proximity to D.C. and have to settle for the con of fewer governmental job opportunities
- Time to bid farewell to a diverse cultural scene and get used to fewer cultural events in Alabama
- Swap rich history for less historical importance
Maryland vs. Alabama: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Maryland | Alabama |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Crab Cakes | Barbecue Ribs |
Most popular meat dish | Fried Chicken | Pulled Pork |
Most popular street food item | Fish Tacos | Fried Green Tomatoes |
Most popular vegan food | Vegetable Crab Soup | Okra Gumbo |
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 Maryland to Alabama, you will be trading the iconic Crab Cakes of Maryland for the equally delicious Barbecue Ribs of Alabama. And while the locals in Maryland rave about their flavorful Fried Chicken and sumptuous Fish Tacos, Alabama residents know they have tasty Pulled Pork and Fried Green Tomatoes to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Vegetable Crab Soup they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Okra Gumbo of Alabama. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Maryland eateries like Bertha's Mussels, Charleston Restaurant, and Miss Shirley's Cafe. After the boxes are unpacked in Alabama, don't wait too long before making your way to Alabama's acclaimed eateries like Dreamland BBQ, Highlands Bar and Grill, and Big Bob Gibson Bar-B-Q.
When comparing lifestyles, Alabama shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Maryland. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Alabama, compared to what you are used to in Maryland. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in Alabama.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Maryland and Alabama
Comparison | Maryland | Alabama |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial, Cape Cod | Antebellum, Craftsman |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Waterfront, Proximity to DC | Large lots, Historic charm |
- The Colonial and Cape Cod architecture that Maryland is known for will be replaced with the Antebellum and Craftsman architecture typical of Alabama.
- Compared to Maryland's real estate listings that commonly reference waterfront and proximity to DC, Alabama real estate listings often highlight features like large lots and historic charm.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away. Alabama is less walkable than Maryland.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike. Alabama is less bike-friendly than Maryland.
- Alabama has less of an urban feel than Maryland.
- Alabama housing costs are 46% less expensive than they are in Maryland, with a median home price of $226,045 compared to Marylandβs $414,972.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Alabama have increased 45% compared to a 33% increase in Maryland.
- Rent in Alabama is 20.99% more affordable than in Maryland.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Maryland and Alabama
Comparison | Maryland | Alabama |
---|---|---|
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 | Hurricanes, Nor'Easters | Hurricanes, Tornadoes |
Air Quality | Moderate | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 87Β°F / 66Β°F | 91Β°F / 71Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 43Β°F / 29Β°F | 57Β°F / 36Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 44.5" | 56" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 20.6" | 2" |
- Alabama gets an equal number of sunshine days as Maryland.
- Alabama has higher humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Maryland.
- Say goodbye to the possible hurricanes and nor'easters in Maryland, but be on the lookout for potential hurricanes and tornadoes in Alabama.
- Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Alabama is 4 degrees warmer than in Maryland.
- The average winter lows in Alabama are 7 degrees warmer than they are in Maryland.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Alabama. Alabama receives 11.5 more inches of rain compared to Maryland.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Maryland and Alabama
Comparison | Maryland | Alabama |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $94,991 | $59,674 |
Cost of Living Index | 124.95 | 91.2 |
State Income Tax | 4.75% | 5% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.1% | 0.4% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6% | 9% |
Top 3 Industries | Biotechnology, Defense, Tourism | Agriculture, Manufacturing, Aerospace |
Affluence | High | Moderate |
Poverty | Low | High |
Homelessness | Moderate | Low |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Alabama tend to earn about 37% less than in Maryland
- The COLI in Alabama will be 27% lower than what you are used to living in Maryland
- The state income tax in AL is 5% compared to 4.75% in MD
- The affluence in Alabama is moderate compared to high in Maryland
- The poverty level is high in Alabama compared to low in Maryland
- In terms of homelessness, it is moderate in Maryland and low in Alabama
Political and Religious Climate in Maryland vs. Alabama
Comparison | Maryland | Alabama |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Lean Democratic | Lean Republican |
Local Politics | Progressive policies in urban areas | Conservative policies prevalent |
Religion | Christianity predominant, diverse religious communities | Strongly Christian, with Evangelical Protestant majority |
- Maryland tends to lean Democratic in its political climate
- Alabama, on the other hand, is often described as leaning Republican
- Alabama's religious environment can be described as strongly Christian with an Evangelical Protestant majority
- Maryland's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as predominantly Christianity with diverse religious communities
Education Guide When Moving from Maryland to Alabama
Comparison | Maryland | Alabama |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Maryland Towson University Johns Hopkins University | University of Alabama Auburn University University of Alabama at Birmingham |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Cold Spring Elementary (Potomac) Fulton Elementary (Fulton) Bethesda Elementary (Bethesda) | Chestnut Grove Elementary (Decatur) Greystone Elementary (Birmingham) Rock Quarry Elementary (Tuscaloosa) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Thomas W. Pyle Middle (Bethesda) Herbert Hoover Middle (Potomac) Severna Park Middle (Severna Park) | Liberty Park Middle (Vestavia Hills) Mountain Brook Junior High (Mountain Brook) Louis Pizitz Middle School (Vestavia Hills) |
Top 3 High Schools | Walt Whitman High (Bethesda) Winston Churchill High (Potomac) Severna Park High (Severna Park) | Mountain Brook High (Mountain Brook) Vestavia Hills High (Vestavia Hills) Bob Jones High (Madison) |
Top 3 private high schools | Gilman School (Baltimore) Holton-Arms School (Bethesda) McDonogh School (Owings Mills) | The Altamont School (Birmingham) Indian Springs School (Indian Springs) Randolph School (Huntsville) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Sandy Spring Friends School (Sandy Spring) Severn School (Severna Park) The Salisbury School (Salisbury) | Advent Episcopal School (Birmingham) The Donoho School (Anniston) Montgomery Academy (Montgomery) |
Top 3 School Districts | Howard County Public Schools Montgomery County Public Schools Anne Arundel County Public Schools | Mountain Brook City Schools Vestavia Hills City Schools Madison City Schools |
How Much Do Maryland to Alabama Movers Cost?
Moving 868 miles from Maryland to Alabama will typically cost between $2,500 and $6,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $2,500 - $6,000
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-14 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: AT Movers
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,695 | 300 ft3 | $5.65 |
1 Bedroom | $2,519 | 450 ft3 | $5.60 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,161 | 750 ft3 | $5.55 |
3 Bedrooms | $6,048 | 1100 ft3 | $5.50 |
4 Bedrooms | $8,718 | 1600 ft3 | $5.45 |
5+ Bedrooms | $9,717 | 1800 ft3 | $5.40 |
Top Maryland to Alabama Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Maryland to Alabama movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.