Maryland to Florida Moving Guide
Updated June 16, 2025

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
- Cold winters
- Higher taxes
- Expensive living
- Limited beach access
- Seasonal attractions
- Mild winters
- No state income tax
- Lower cost of living
- Abundant beaches
- Year-round activities
- Less historical depth
- Hurricane risk
- Fewer job opportunities
- School district variability
- More homogenized areas
- 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
Comparison | Maryland | Florida |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Crab Cakes | Key Lime Pie |
Most popular meat dish | Pit Beef | Cuban Sandwich |
Most popular street food item | Soft Shell Crab Sandwich | Fish Tacos |
Most popular vegan food | Grilled Portobello Mushrooms | Black Bean Burgers |
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 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
Comparison | Maryland | Florida |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial | Spanish Colonial/Mediterranean |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Proximity to Washington D.C., green spaces | Proximity 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 Marylandβs $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
Comparison | Maryland | Florida |
---|---|---|
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, Tropical Storms |
Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 85/65 | 90/75 |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 42/29 | 70/48 |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 40 | 50 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 20.5 | 0 |
- 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
Comparison | Maryland | Florida |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $94,991 | $69,303 |
Cost of Living Index | 124.95 | 97.8 |
State Income Tax | 4.75%-5.75% | 0% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.06% | 0.89% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6% | 6%-8.5% |
Top 3 Industries | Biotechnology, IT, Aerospace | Tourism, Agriculture, Aerospace |
Affluence | High | Moderate |
Poverty | Low | Moderate |
Homelessness | Low | Moderate |
- 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
Comparison | Maryland | Florida |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Lean Democratic | Swing State |
Local Politics | Liberal urban areas | Varied, with conservative rural and liberal urban areas |
Religion | Christianity predominant, diverse religious communities | Christianity 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
Comparison | Maryland | Florida |
---|---|---|
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 Schools | Fulton Elementary Clarksville Elementary Folger McKinsey Elementary | Pine View School Southside Elementary Freedom 7 Elementary |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Eastern Middle Burleigh Manor Middle Thomas W. Pyle Middle | Bak Middle School of the Arts Archimedean Middle Conservatory Pine View School |
Top 3 High Schools | Walt Whitman High Poolesville High Thomas S. Wootton High | Stanton College Preparatory Pine View School Design & Architecture Senior High |
Top 3 private high schools | Gilman School McDonogh School Sidwell Friends School | Bolles School American Heritage School Pine Crest School |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Sidwell Friends School McDonogh School Gilman School | American Heritage School Pine Crest School Bolles School |
Top 3 School Districts | Howard 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 SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,479 | 300 ft3 | $4.93 |
1 Bedroom | $2,200 | 450 ft3 | $4.89 |
2 Bedrooms | $3,635 | 750 ft3 | $4.85 |
3 Bedrooms | $5,284 | 1100 ft3 | $4.80 |
4 Bedrooms | $7,618 | 1600 ft3 | $4.76 |
5+ Bedrooms | $8,494 | 1800 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.

Sebastian Moving and More
Best moving company overall for Maryland to Florida