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Maryland to Idaho Moving Guide

Updated June 17, 2025

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Planning a 2,396 mile interstate move from Maryland to Idaho? This moving guide will help you compare living in Maryland vs Idaho across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high property taxes vs lower property taxes), food & health (like Crab cakes vs Potatoes), real estate & housing (colonial, cape cod vs craftsman, ranch), 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 Potatoes & Elk steak
  • Idaho housing costs are 9% more expensive than they are in Maryland
  • Rent in Idaho is 13.41% more affordable than in Maryland
  • Moving from Maryland to Idaho will cost on average between $2,500 - $9,000
  • Our top recommended Maryland to Idaho movers is AT Movers

Maryland to Idaho Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Maryland to Idaho

ConsMaryland iconMaryland
  • High property taxes
  • Dense traffic
  • Urban sprawl
  • Expensive housing
ProsIdaho iconIdaho
  • Lower property taxes
  • Less congestion
  • Spectacular landscapes
  • More affordable homes

Idaho iconIdaho
  • Less historic sites
  • Landlocked state
  • Limited restaurant options
  • Fewer cultural events
Maryland iconMaryland
  • Rich history
  • Coastal activities
  • Varied cuisine
  • Diverse entertainment

Pros of moving from Maryland to Idaho

  • Say goodbye to high property taxes and hello to lower property taxes
  • Look forward to moving away from dense traffic and moving to Idaho with less congestion
  • Swap the urban sprawl of Maryland for spectacular landscapes in Idaho
  • Get ready for more affordable homes in Idaho

Cons of moving from Maryland to Idaho

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from rich history in Maryland to live with fewer historic sites in Idaho
  • You'll lose out on the pro of coastal activities and have to settle for the con of being in a landlocked state
  • Time to bid farewell to varied cuisine and get used to limited restaurant options in Idaho
  • Swap diverse entertainment for fewer cultural events

Maryland vs. Idaho: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonMarylandIdaho
Most iconic local food itemCrab cakesPotatoes
Most popular meat dishFried ChickenElk steak
Most popular street food itemSteamed CrabsFinger Steaks
Most popular vegan foodGrilled Veggie SandwichQuinoa Salad
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • State & Lemp
  • Juniper
  • The Chocolat Bar
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 Idaho, you will be trading the iconic crab cakes of Maryland for the equally delicious potatoes of Idaho. And while the locals in Maryland rave about their flavorful fried chicken and sumptuous steamed crabs, Idaho residents know they have tasty elk steak and finger steaks to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the grilled veggie sandwich they've grown to love, they can get ready for the quinoa salad of Idaho. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Maryland eateries like Phillips Seafood, Woodberry Kitchen, and Pappas Seafood. After the boxes are unpacked in Idaho, don't wait too long before making your way to Idaho's acclaimed eateries like State & Lemp, Juniper, and The Chocolat Bar.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Maryland and Idaho

ComparisonMarylandIdaho
Typical Architecture StyleColonial, Cape CodCraftsman, Ranch
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 listingWaterfront, proximity to Washington D.C.Mountain views, outdoor activities
  • The Colonial and Cape Cod architecture that Maryland is known for will be replaced with the Craftsman and Ranch architecture typical of Idaho.
  • Compared to Maryland's real estate listings that commonly reference waterfront and proximity to Washington D.C., Idaho real estate listings often highlight features like mountain views and outdoor activities.
  • You can keep your walking shoes packed away as Idaho is less walkable than Maryland.
  • Idaho is similarly bike-friendly to Maryland.
  • Idaho has less of an urban feel than Maryland.
  • Idaho housing costs are 9% more expensive than they are in Maryland, with a median home price of $451,298 compared to Maryland’s $414,972.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Idaho have increased by 69% compared to a 33% increase in Maryland.
  • Rent in Idaho is 13.41% more affordable than in Maryland.

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

ComparisonMarylandIdaho
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, FloodsWildfires, Earthquakes
Air QualityModerateGood
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)87Β°F / 66Β°F85Β°F / 50Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)43Β°F / 29Β°F34Β°F / 15Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)41"13"
Annual Snowfall (Inches)20"60"
  • The shades won't be used as much for your move from Maryland to Idaho. Idaho gets 4% fewer sunshine days than Maryland.
  • Idaho has lower 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 wildfires and earthquakes in Idaho.
  • The average summer high temperature in Idaho is 2 degrees colder than in Maryland.
  • The average winter lows in Idaho are 14 degrees colder than those in Maryland.
  • Your umbrella might be neglected in Idaho. Idaho receives 28 fewer inches of rain compared to Maryland.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Maryland and Idaho

ComparisonMarylandIdaho
Avg. Household Income$94,991$72,785
Cost of Living Index124.9591.5
State Income Tax2% - 5.75%1% - 6.925%
Avg. Property Tax1.06%0.63%
Avg. Sales Tax6.00%6.00%
Top 3 IndustriesGovernment, Healthcare, EducationAgriculture, Technology, Manufacturing
AffluenceWealthyModerate
PovertyModerateLow
HomelessnessLowVery Low
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Idaho tend to earn about 23% less than in Maryland
  • The COLI in Idaho will be 27% lower than what you are used to living in Maryland
  • The state income tax in ID is 1% - 6.925% compared to 2% - 5.75% in MD
  • The affluence in Idaho is moderate compared to wealthy in Maryland
  • The poverty level is low in Idaho compared to moderate in Maryland
  • In terms of homelessness, it is low in Maryland and very low in Idaho

Political and Religious Climate in Maryland vs. Idaho

ComparisonMarylandIdaho
Political Make-upLargely DemocraticLargely Republican
Local PoliticsDiverse representationConservative leadership
ReligionPluralistic, with a significant Catholic presenceMajority Protestant with a significant Mormon community
  • Maryland tends to lean largely Democratic in its political climate
  • Idaho, on the other hand, is often described as largely Republican
  • Idaho's religious environment can be described as majority Protestant with a significant Mormon community
  • Maryland's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as pluralistic with a significant Catholic presence

Education Guide When Moving from Maryland to Idaho

ComparisonMarylandIdaho
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)University of Maryland
Johns Hopkins University
Towson University
Boise State University
University of Idaho
Idaho State University
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsFulton Elementary (Fulton)
Bannockburn Elementary (Bethesda)
Stone Mill Elementary (North Potomac)
Longfellow Elementary (Boise)
Adams Elementary (Boise)
White Pine Elementary (Boise)
Top 3 Middle SchoolsEastern Middle (Silver Spring)
Thomas W. Pyle Middle (Bethesda)
Herbert Hoover Middle (Potomac)
North Junior High (Boise)
Lakes Middle School (Coeur d'Alene)
Fairmont Junior High (Boise)
Top 3 High School SchoolsWalt Whitman High (Bethesda)
Winston Churchill High (Potomac)
Thomas S. Wootton High (Rockville)
Boise High School (Boise)
Timberline High School (Boise)
Coeur d'Alene High School (Coeur d’Alene)
Top 3 private high schoolsGilman School (Baltimore)
Holton-Arms School (Bethesda)
Landon School (Bethesda)
Bishop Kelly High School (Boise)
The Ambrose School (Meridian)
Coeur d'Alene Charter Academy (Coeur d'Alene)
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsSidwell Friends School (Washington)
Georgetown Day School (Washington)
The Calverton School (Huntingtown)
Riverstone International School (Boise)
The Sage School (Hailey)
North Idaho Christian School (Hayden)
Top 3 School DistrictsMontgomery County Public Schools
Howard County Public School System
Frederick County Public Schools
Boise School District
Blaine County School District
Coeur d'Alene School District

How Much Do Maryland to Idaho Movers Cost?

Moving 2,396 miles from Maryland to Idaho will typically cost between $4,000 and $9,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.

  • Expected Range: $4,000 - $9,000
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-10 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: AT Movers
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$2,561300 ft3$8.54
1 Bedroom$3,819450 ft3$8.49
2 Bedrooms$6,327750 ft3$8.44
3 Bedrooms$9,2251100 ft3$8.39
4 Bedrooms$13,3381600 ft3$8.34
5+ Bedrooms$14,9151800 ft3$8.29

Top Maryland to Idaho Movers

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

TOP PICK
AT Movers featured image

AT Movers

Best moving company overall for Maryland to Idaho

9.65/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
AJ Moving Services LLC featured image

AJ Moving Services LLC

9.57/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
AB Secure Moving LLC. featured image

AB Secure Moving LLC.

9.50/10
ExceptionalView details
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