Maryland to Arkansas Moving Guide
Updated June 12, 2025

Planning a 1,024 mile interstate move from Maryland to Arkansas? This moving guide will help you compare living in Maryland vs Arkansas across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high living costs vs affordable living), food & health (like Crab Cakes vs Fried Catfish), real estate & housing (colonial, victorian vs ranch, 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 Steamed Crabs, but get your taste buds ready for Fried Catfish & Smoked Pork Ribs
- Arkansas housing costs are 51% less expensive than they are in Maryland
- Rent in Arkansas is 29.46% more affordable than in Maryland
- Moving from Maryland to Arkansas will cost on average between $2,000 - $6,500
- Our top recommended Maryland to Arkansas movers is AT Movers
Top Maryland to Arkansas Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Maryland to Arkansas movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

AT Movers
Best moving company overall for Maryland to Arkansas

AJ Moving Services LLC

AB Secure Moving LLC.
Maryland to Arkansas Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Maryland to Arkansas
- High living costs
- Traffic congestion
- Harsh winters
- High taxes
- Dense population
- Affordable living
- Less crowded roads
- Mildly warm winters
- Lower taxes
- Open spaces
- Limited cultural variety
- Fewer top schools
- Quieter towns
- No ocean coastline
- Fewer culinary choices
- Cultural diversity
- Quality education
- Vibrant city life
- Coastal access
- Abundant dining options
Pros of moving from Maryland to Arkansas
- Say goodbye to high living costs and hello to affordable living
- Look forward to moving away from traffic congestion and moving to Arkansas with less crowded roads
- Swap the harsh winters of Maryland for mildly warm winters in Arkansas
- Get ready for lower taxes in Arkansas
Cons of moving from Maryland to Arkansas
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from cultural diversity in Maryland to live with limited cultural variety in Arkansas
- You'll lose out on the pro of quality education and have to settle for the con of fewer top schools
- Time to bid farewell to vibrant city life and get used to quieter towns in Arkansas
- Swap coastal access for no ocean coastline
Maryland vs. Arkansas: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Maryland | Arkansas |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Crab Cakes | Fried Catfish |
Most popular meat dish | Steamed Crabs | Smoked Pork Ribs |
Most popular street food item | Pit Beef Sandwich | BBQ Nachos |
Most popular vegan food | Vegan Crab Cakes | Veggie Burger |
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 Arkansas, you will be trading the iconic Crab Cakes of Maryland for the equally delicious Fried Catfish of Arkansas. And while the locals in Maryland rave about their flavorful Steamed Crabs and sumptuous Pit Beef Sandwich, Arkansas residents know they have tasty Smoked Pork Ribs and BBQ Nachos to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Vegan Crab Cakes they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Veggie Burger of Arkansas. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Maryland eateries like Phillips Seafood, Charm City Cakes, and Lexington Market. After the boxes are unpacked in Arkansas, don't wait too long before making your way to Arkansas' acclaimed eateries like McClard's Bar-B-Q, The Southern Grist, and Queen Wilhelmina State Park Restaurant.
When comparing lifestyles, Arkansas shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Maryland. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Arkansas compared to what you are used to in Maryland. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in Arkansas.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Maryland and Arkansas
Comparison | Maryland | Arkansas |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial, Victorian | Ranch, Craftsman |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Waterfront, Metro Access | Large Lots, Scenic Views |
- The Colonial and Victorian architecture that Maryland is known for will be replaced with the Ranch and Craftsman architecture typical of Arkansas.
- Compared to Maryland's real estate listings that commonly reference waterfront and metro access, Arkansas real estate listings often highlight features like large lots and scenic views.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away as Arkansas is less walkable than Maryland.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike since Arkansas is less bike-friendly than Maryland.
- Arkansas has less of an urban feel compared to Maryland.
- Arkansas housing costs are 51% less expensive than they are in Maryland with a median home price of $203,305 compared to Marylandβs $414,972.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Arkansas have increased by 41% compared to a 33% increase in Maryland.
- Rent in Arkansas is 29.46% more affordable than in Maryland.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Maryland and Arkansas
Comparison | Maryland | Arkansas |
---|---|---|
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, Flooding | Tornadoes, Flooding |
Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 87Β°F / 66Β°F | 92Β°F / 72Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 43Β°F / 29Β°F | 51Β°F / 32Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 44" | 50" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 20.6" | 5" |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Maryland to Arkansas. Arkansas gets 2% more sunshine days than Maryland.
- Arkansas has higher humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Maryland.
- Say goodbye to the possible hurricanes and flooding in Maryland, but be on the lookout for potential tornadoes and flooding in Arkansas.
- Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Arkansas is 5 degrees warmer than in Maryland.
- The average winter lows are 3 degrees warmer than they are in Maryland.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Arkansas. Arkansas receives 6 more inches of rain compared to Maryland.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Maryland and Arkansas
Comparison | Maryland | Arkansas |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $94,991 | $55,432 |
Cost of Living Index | 124.95 | 90.5 |
State Income Tax | 5.75 | 5.9 |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.06 | 0.63 |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6 | 6.5 |
Top 3 Industries | Government, Healthcare, Technology | Retail, Agriculture, Manufacturing |
Affluence | High | Moderate |
Poverty | Low | Moderate |
Homelessness | Moderate | Low |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Arkansas tend to earn about 42% less than in Maryland
- The COLI in Arkansas is 28% lower than what you are used to living in Maryland
- The state income tax in AR is 5.9 compared to 5.75 in MD
- The affluence in Arkansas is moderate compared to high in Maryland
- The poverty level is moderate in Arkansas compared to low in Maryland
- In terms of homelessness, it is moderate in Maryland and low in Arkansas
Political and Religious Climate in Maryland vs. Arkansas
Comparison | Maryland | Arkansas |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Lean Democratic | Lean Republican |
Local Politics | Moderate to liberal urban areas | Conservative, with variations in local governance |
Religion | Diverse, with a significant Catholic presence | Primarily Protestant, with a strong evangelical influence |
- Maryland tends to lean Democratic in its political climate
- Arkansas, on the other hand, is often described as lean Republican
- Arkansas' religious environment can be described as primarily Protestant with a strong evangelical influence
- Maryland's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as diverse with a significant Catholic presence
Education Guide When Moving from Maryland to Arkansas
Comparison | Maryland | Arkansas |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Maryland Johns Hopkins University Towson University | University of Arkansas Arkansas State University University of Central Arkansas |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Cold Spring Elementary (Potomac) Fulton Elementary (Fulton) Bannockburn Elementary (Bethesda) | Baker Interdistrict Elementary (Little Rock) Forest Park Elementary (Little Rock) Vandergriff Elementary (Fayetteville) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Thomas W. Pyle Middle School (Bethesda) Herbert Hoover Middle (Potomac) Takoma Park Middle (Silver Spring) | Lisa Academy West Middle (Little Rock) McNair Middle School (Fayetteville) Fulbright Junior High (Bentonville) |
Top 3 High School Schools | Walt Whitman High (Bethesda) Winston Churchill High (Potomac) Thomas S. Wootton High (Rockville) | Haas Hall Academy (Fayetteville) Bentonville High School (Bentonville) Fayetteville High School (Fayetteville) |
Top 3 private high schools | Gilman School (Baltimore) Holton-Arms School (Bethesda) McDonogh School (Owings Mills) | Pulaski Academy (Little Rock) Episcopal Collegiate School (Little Rock) Shiloh Christian School (Springdale) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Sidwell Friends (Bethesda) Bethesda Friends School (Bethesda) Sandy Spring Friends School (Sandy Spring) | The New School (Fayetteville) Little Rock Christian Academy (Little Rock) Subiaco Academy (Subiaco) |
Top 3 School Districts | Montgomery County Public Schools Howard County Public School System Anne Arundel County Public Schools | Fayetteville Public Schools Bentonville Public Schools Little Rock School District |
How Much Do Maryland to Arkansas Movers Cost?
Moving 1,024 miles from Maryland to Arkansas will typically cost between $2,500 and $6,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $2,500 - $6,500
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-8 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: AT Movers
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,783 | 300 ft3 | $5.94 |
1 Bedroom | $2,652 | 450 ft3 | $5.89 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,383 | 750 ft3 | $5.84 |
3 Bedrooms | $6,373 | 1100 ft3 | $5.79 |
4 Bedrooms | $9,189 | 1600 ft3 | $5.74 |
5+ Bedrooms | $10,248 | 1800 ft3 | $5.69 |