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Maryland to Florida Moving Guide

Updated June 16, 2025

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Planning a 949 mile interstate move from Maryland to Florida? This moving guide will help you compare living in Maryland vs Florida across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like cold winters vs mild winters), food & health (like Crab Cakes vs Key Lime Pie), real estate & housing (colonial vs spanish colonial/mediterranean), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Maryland), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Crab Cakes and Pit Beef, but get your taste buds ready for Key Lime Pie & Cuban Sandwich
  • Florida housing costs are 4% less expensive than they are in Maryland
  • Rent in Florida is 19.25% more expensive than in Maryland
  • Moving from Maryland to Florida will cost on average between $1,500 - $5,500
  • Our top recommended Maryland to Florida movers is Sebastian Moving and More

Maryland to Florida Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Maryland to Florida

ConsMaryland iconMaryland
  • Cold winters
  • Higher taxes
  • Expensive living
  • Limited beach access
  • Seasonal attractions
ProsFlorida iconFlorida
  • Mild winters
  • No state income tax
  • Lower cost of living
  • Abundant beaches
  • Year-round activities

Florida iconFlorida
  • Less historical depth
  • Hurricane risk
  • Fewer job opportunities
  • School district variability
  • More homogenized areas
Maryland iconMaryland
  • Rich history
  • Beautiful seasons
  • Proximity to D.C.
  • Acclaimed schools
  • Diverse culture

Pros of moving from Maryland to Florida

  • Say goodbye to cold winters and hello to mild winters
  • Look forward to moving away from higher taxes and moving to Florida with no state income tax
  • Swap the expensive living of Maryland for a lower cost of living in Florida
  • Get ready for abundant beaches in Florida

Cons of moving from Maryland to Florida

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the rich history in Maryland to live with less historical depth in Florida
  • You'll lose out on the pro of beautiful seasons and have to settle for the con of hurricane risk
  • Time to bid farewell to proximity to D.C. and get used to fewer job opportunities in Florida
  • Swap acclaimed schools for school district variability

Maryland vs. Florida: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonMarylandFlorida
Most iconic local food itemCrab CakesKey Lime Pie
Most popular meat dishPit BeefCuban Sandwich
Most popular street food itemSoft Shell Crab SandwichFish Tacos
Most popular vegan foodGrilled Portobello MushroomsBlack Bean Burgers
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Bertha's Mussels
  • Faidley's Seafood
  • Charm City Cakes
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 Maryland to Florida, you will be trading the iconic Crab Cakes of Maryland for the equally delicious Key Lime Pie of Florida. And while the locals in Maryland rave about their flavorful Pit Beef and sumptuous Soft Shell Crab Sandwich, Florida residents know they have tasty Cuban Sandwich and Fish Tacos to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Grilled Portobello Mushrooms they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Black Bean Burgers of Florida. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Maryland eateries like Bertha's Mussels, Faidley's Seafood, and Charm City Cakes. After the boxes are unpacked in Florida, don't wait too long before making your way to Florida's acclaimed eateries like Joe's Stone Crab, Versailles Restaurant, and Bern's Steak House.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Maryland and Florida

ComparisonMarylandFlorida
Typical Architecture StyleColonialSpanish Colonial/Mediterranean
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 listingProximity to Washington D.C., green spacesProximity to beaches, outdoor living spaces
  • The Colonial architecture that Maryland is known for will be replaced with the Spanish Colonial/Mediterranean architecture typical of Florida.
  • Compared to Maryland's real estate listings that commonly reference proximity to Washington D.C. and green spaces, Florida real estate listings often highlight features like proximity to beaches and outdoor living spaces.
  • You can keep your walking shoes packed away; Florida is less walkable than Maryland.
  • Make sure the movers take care of your bike; Florida is more bike-friendly than Maryland.
  • Florida has less of an urban feel than Maryland.
  • Florida housing costs are 4% less expensive than they are in Maryland, with a median home price of $397,137 compared to Maryland’s $414,972.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Florida have increased by 66% compared to a 33% increase in Maryland.
  • Rent in Florida is 19.25% more expensive than in Maryland.

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

ComparisonMarylandFlorida
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 DisastersHurricanes, FloodsHurricanes, Tropical Storms
Air QualityGoodModerate
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)85/6590/75
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)42/2970/48
Annual Rainfall (Inches)4050
Annual Snowfall (Inches)20.50
  • Break out the sunglasses for your move from Maryland to Florida. Florida gets 11% more sunshine days than Maryland.
  • Florida has higher humidity and a higher 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 tropical storms in Florida.
  • Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Florida is 5 degrees warmer than in Maryland.
  • The average winter lows are 19 degrees warmer than they are in Maryland.
  • Your umbrella might be more overworked in Florida. Florida receives 10 more inches of rain compared to Maryland.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Maryland and Florida

ComparisonMarylandFlorida
Avg. Household Income$94,991$69,303
Cost of Living Index124.9597.8
State Income Tax4.75%-5.75%0%
Avg. Property Tax1.06%0.89%
Avg. Sales Tax6%6%-8.5%
Top 3 IndustriesBiotechnology, IT, AerospaceTourism, Agriculture, Aerospace
AffluenceHighModerate
PovertyLowModerate
HomelessnessLowModerate
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Florida tend to earn about 27% less than in Maryland
  • The COLI in Florida will be 22% lower than what you are used to living in Maryland
  • Hooray, moving to FL means you'll no longer have state income taxes
  • The affluence in Florida is moderate compared to high in Maryland
  • The poverty level is moderate in Florida compared to low in Maryland
  • In terms of homelessness, it is low in Maryland and moderate in Florida

Political and Religious Climate in Maryland vs. Florida

ComparisonMarylandFlorida
Political Make-upLean DemocraticSwing State
Local PoliticsLiberal urban areasVaried, with conservative rural and liberal urban areas
ReligionChristianity predominant, diverse religious communitiesChristianity predominant, significant Catholic and Jewish communities
  • Maryland tends to lean Democratic in its political climate
  • Florida, on the other hand, is often described as a swing state
  • Florida's religious environment can be described as Christianity predominant, with significant Catholic and Jewish communities
  • Maryland's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Christianity predominant, with diverse religious communities

Education Guide When Moving from Maryland to Florida

ComparisonMarylandFlorida
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)University of Maryland
Johns Hopkins University
Towson University
University of Florida
Florida State University
University of Central Florida
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsFulton Elementary
Clarksville Elementary
Folger McKinsey Elementary
Pine View School
Southside Elementary
Freedom 7 Elementary
Top 3 Middle SchoolsEastern Middle
Burleigh Manor Middle
Thomas W. Pyle Middle
Bak Middle School of the Arts
Archimedean Middle Conservatory
Pine View School
Top 3 High SchoolsWalt Whitman High
Poolesville High
Thomas S. Wootton High
Stanton College Preparatory
Pine View School
Design & Architecture Senior High
Top 3 private high schoolsGilman School
McDonogh School
Sidwell Friends School
Bolles School
American Heritage School
Pine Crest School
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsSidwell Friends School
McDonogh School
Gilman School
American Heritage School
Pine Crest School
Bolles School
Top 3 School DistrictsHoward County Public Schools
Montgomery County Public Schools
Frederick County Public Schools
Sarasota County Schools
St. Johns County School District
Okaloosa County School District

How Much Do Maryland to Florida Movers Cost?

Moving 949 miles from Maryland to Florida 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 - $5,500
  • Expected Time To Complete: 3-10 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: AT Movers
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,479300 ft3$4.93
1 Bedroom$2,200450 ft3$4.89
2 Bedrooms$3,635750 ft3$4.85
3 Bedrooms$5,2841100 ft3$4.80
4 Bedrooms$7,6181600 ft3$4.76
5+ Bedrooms$8,4941800 ft3$4.72

Top Maryland to Florida Movers

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

TOP PICK
Sebastian Moving and More featured image

Sebastian Moving and More

Best moving company overall for Maryland to Florida

9.72/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
AT Movers featured image

AT Movers

9.65/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
AJ Moving Services LLC featured image

AJ Moving Services LLC

9.57/10
ExceptionalView details