Maryland to DC Moving Guide
Updated June 21, 2025

Planning a 28 mile interstate move from Maryland to DC? This moving guide will help you compare living in Maryland vs DC across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like limited public transport vs extensive metro system), food & health (like Crab Cakes vs Half-Smoke), real estate & housing (colonial, cape cod vs row houses, federal), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in DC), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Crab Cakes and Fried Chicken, but get your taste buds ready for Half-Smoke & Ribeye Steak
- DC housing costs are 49% more expensive than they are in Maryland
- Rent in DC is 28.62% more expensive than in Maryland
- Moving from Maryland to DC will cost on average between $1,000 - $3,500
- Our top recommended Maryland to DC movers is AT Movers
Maryland to DC Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Maryland to DC
- Limited public transport
- Lack of job diversity
- Rural lifestyle
- Quiet nightlife
- Extensive metro system
- Abundant job opportunities
- Urban conveniences
- Lively entertainment scene
- Higher cost of living
- Heavy traffic
- Lack of green spaces
- Fast-paced lifestyle
- Lower cost of living
- Less traffic congestion
- Proximity to nature
- Community atmosphere
Pros of moving from Maryland to DC
- Say goodbye to limited public transport and hello to an extensive metro system
- Look forward to moving away from a lack of job diversity and moving to DC with abundant job opportunities
- Swap the rural lifestyle of Maryland for urban conveniences in DC
- Get ready for a lively entertainment scene in DC
Cons of moving from Maryland to DC
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from a lower cost of living in Maryland to live with a higher cost of living in DC
- You'll lose out on the pro of less traffic congestion and have to settle with the con of heavy traffic
- Time to bid farewell to proximity to nature and get used to a lack of green spaces in DC
- Swap the community atmosphere for a fast-paced lifestyle
Maryland vs. DC: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Maryland | DC |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Crab Cakes | Half-Smoke |
Most popular meat dish | Fried Chicken | Ribeye Steak |
Most popular street food item | Smith Island Cake | Food Trucks variety |
Most popular vegan food | Avocado Toast | Vegetable Ramen |
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 DC, you will be trading the iconic Crab Cakes of Maryland for the equally delicious Half-Smoke of DC. And while the locals in Maryland rave about their flavorful Fried Chicken and sumptuous Smith Island Cake, DC residents know they have tasty Ribeye Steak and Food Trucks variety to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Avocado Toast they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Vegetable Ramen of DC. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Maryland eateries like Phillips Seafood, Faidley's Seafood, and Charm City Cakes. After the boxes are unpacked in DC, don't wait too long before making your way to DC's acclaimed eateries like Ben's Chili Bowl, Zaytinya, and Rose's Luxury.
When comparing lifestyles, DC shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Maryland. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in DC compared to what you are used to in Maryland. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in DC.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Maryland and DC
Comparison | Maryland | DC |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial, Cape Cod | Row houses, Federal |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Spacious yards, Quiet neighborhoods | Proximity to metro, Vibrant nightlife |
- The Colonial and Cape Cod architecture that Maryland is known for will be replaced with the row houses and Federal architecture typical of DC.
- Compared to Maryland's real estate listings that commonly reference spacious yards and quiet neighborhoods, DC real estate listings often highlight features like proximity to metro and vibrant nightlife.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes; DC is more walkable than Maryland.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike; DC is more bike-friendly than Maryland.
- DC has more of an urban feel than Maryland.
- DC housing costs are 49% more expensive than they are in Maryland, with a median home price of $619,320 compared to Marylandβs $414,972.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in DC have increased by 8% compared to a 33% increase in Maryland.
- Rent in DC is 28.62% more expensive than in Maryland.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Maryland and DC
Comparison | Maryland | DC |
---|---|---|
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, Floods | Hurricanes, Floods |
Air Quality | Moderate | Good to Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 85/66 | 88/71 |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 42/29 | 47/30 |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 40.7 | 39.7 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 20.1 | 15.4 |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Maryland to DC. DC gets 5% fewer sunshine days than Maryland.
- DC has lower humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Maryland.
- Say goodbye to the possible hurricanes and floods in Maryland, but be on the lookout for potential hurricanes and floods in DC.
- The average summer high temperature in DC is 3 degrees warmer than in Maryland.
- The average winter lows are 1 degree warmer than they are in Maryland.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in DC. DC receives 1 inch less of rain compared to Maryland.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Maryland and DC
Comparison | Maryland | DC |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $94,991 | $101,027 |
Cost of Living Index | 124.95 | 140.1 |
State Income Tax | 5.75% | 8.95% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.1% | 0.55% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6% | 6% |
Top 3 Industries | Biotechnology, Defense, Tourism | Government, Tourism, Education |
Affluence | Moderate | High |
Poverty | Low | Moderate |
Homelessness | Low | Visible |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in DC tend to earn about 6% more than those in Maryland
- The COLI in DC is 12% higher than what you are used to living in Maryland
- The state income tax in DC is 8.95% compared to 5.75% in MD
- The affluence in DC is high compared to moderate affluence in Maryland
- The poverty level is moderate in DC compared to low in Maryland
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in Maryland and visible in DC
Political and Religious Climate in Maryland vs. DC
Comparison | Maryland | DC |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Lean Democratic | Strongly Democratic |
Local Politics | Mixed urban and rural policies | Urban-centric policies |
Religion | Christianity predominant, with diverse faith communities | Christianity major, but higher percentage of non-religious residents |
- Maryland tends to lean Democratic in its political climate
- DC, on the other hand, is often described as strongly Democratic
- DC's religious environment can be described as majorly Christianity, but it has a higher percentage of non-religious residents
- Maryland's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as predominantly Christianity, with diverse faith communities
Education Guide When Moving from Maryland to DC
Comparison | Maryland | DC |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Maryland Towson University Johns Hopkins University | Georgetown University George Washington University American University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Fulton Elementary (Fulton) Bannockburn Elementary (Bethesda) Cold Spring Elementary (Potomac) | Janney Elementary (Washington) Mann Elementary (Washington) Eaton Elementary (Washington) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Thomas W. Pyle Middle School (Bethesda) Cabin John Middle School (Potomac) Eastern Middle School (Silver Spring) | Deal Middle School (Washington) Hardy Middle School (Washington) Eliot-Hine Middle School (Washington) |
Top 3 High Schools | Walt Whitman High School (Bethesda) Winston Churchill High School (Potomac) Thomas S. Wootton High School (Rockville) | School Without Walls High School (Washington) Banneker High School (Washington) McKinley Technology High School (Washington) |
Top 3 private high schools | Gilman School (Baltimore) Holton-Arms School (Bethesda) Landon School (Bethesda) | Georgetown Day School (Washington) Sidwell Friends School (Washington) Maret School (Washington) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Gilman School (Baltimore) Holton-Arms School (Bethesda) Landon School (Bethesda) | Sidwell Friends School (Washington) Maret School (Washington) National Cathedral School (Washington) |
Top 3 School Districts | Montgomery County Public Schools Howard County Public School System Anne Arundel County Public Schools | District of Columbia Public Schools |
How Much Do Maryland to DC Movers Cost?
Moving 28 miles from Maryland to DC 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 | $1,036 | 300 ft3 | $3.45 |
1 Bedroom | $1,534 | 450 ft3 | $3.41 |
2 Bedrooms | $2,525 | 750 ft3 | $3.37 |
3 Bedrooms | $3,657 | 1100 ft3 | $3.32 |
4 Bedrooms | $5,251 | 1600 ft3 | $3.28 |
5+ Bedrooms | $5,831 | 1800 ft3 | $3.24 |
Top Maryland to DC Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Maryland to DC movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.