Maryland to Kentucky Moving Guide
Updated June 5, 2025

Planning a 547 mile interstate move from Maryland to Kentucky? This moving guide will help you compare living in Maryland vs Kentucky across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high cost of living vs lower cost of living), food & health (like Crab Cakes vs Fried Chicken), real estate & housing (colonial, contemporary vs colonial, 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 Chicken & Burgoo
- Kentucky housing costs are 51% less expensive than they are in Maryland
- Rent in Kentucky is 29.83% more affordable than in Maryland
- Moving from Maryland to Kentucky will cost on average between $1,500 - $5,500
- Our top recommended Maryland to Kentucky movers is AT Movers
Maryland to Kentucky Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Maryland to Kentucky
- High cost of living
- Heavy traffic congestion
- High tax rates
- Harsh winters
- Dense urban areas
- Lower cost of living
- Lighter traffic
- Lower tax rates
- Milder winters
- More rural spaces
- Inland location
- Limited job options
- Fewer entertainment venues
- Fewer historical sites
- Fewer festivals
- Proximity to Atlantic
- Diverse job market
- Cultural amenities
- Historic landmarks
- Festival variety
Pros of moving from Maryland to Kentucky
- Say goodbye to the high cost of living and hello to the lower cost of living
- Look forward to moving away from heavy traffic congestion and moving to Kentucky with lighter traffic
- Swap the high tax rates of Maryland for the lower tax rates in Kentucky
- Get ready for milder winters in Kentucky
Cons of moving from Maryland to Kentucky
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the proximity to Atlantic in Maryland to live with an inland location in Kentucky
- You'll lose out on the pro of a diverse job market and have to settle for the con of limited job options
- Time to bid farewell to cultural amenities and get used to fewer entertainment venues in Kentucky
- Swap historic landmarks for fewer historical sites
Maryland vs. Kentucky: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Maryland | Kentucky |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Crab Cakes | Fried Chicken |
Most popular meat dish | Steamed Crabs | Burgoo |
Most popular street food item | Soft Shell Crab Sandwiches | Hot Brown Slider |
Most popular vegan food | Grilled Portobello Mushrooms | Seitan Steaks |
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 Kentucky, you will be trading the iconic Crab Cakes of Maryland for the equally delicious Fried Chicken of Kentucky. And while the locals in Maryland rave about their flavorful Steamed Crabs and sumptuous Soft Shell Crab Sandwiches, Kentucky residents know they have tasty Burgoo and Hot Brown Sliders 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 Seitan Steaks of Kentucky. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Maryland eateries like Phillips Seafood, Charm City Cakes, and Bertha's Mussels. After the boxes are unpacked in Kentucky, don't wait too long before making your way to Kentucky's acclaimed eateries like The Monarch, The Brown Hotel, and Frogez Rockhouse.
When comparing lifestyles, Kentucky shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Maryland. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Kentucky compared to what you are used to in Maryland. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in Kentucky.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Maryland and Kentucky
Comparison | Maryland | Kentucky |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial, Contemporary | Colonial, Craftsman |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Hardwood floors, granite countertops | Spacious yards, garage parking |
- The Colonial and Contemporary architecture that Maryland is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Craftsman architecture typical of Kentucky.
- Compared to Maryland's real estate listings that commonly reference hardwood floors and granite countertops, Kentucky's real estate listings often highlight features like spacious yards and garage parking.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away. Kentucky is less walkable than Maryland.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Kentucky is more bike-friendly than Maryland.
- Kentucky has less of an urban feel than Maryland.
- Kentucky housing costs are 51% less expensive than they are in Maryland, with a median home price of $201,332 compared to Marylandβs $414,972.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Kentucky have increased by 47% compared to a 33% increase in Maryland.
- Rent in Kentucky is 29.83% more affordable than in Maryland.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Maryland and Kentucky
Comparison | Maryland | Kentucky |
---|---|---|
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, floods |
Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 85Β°F / 66Β°F | 87Β°F / 67Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 42Β°F / 29Β°F | 44Β°F / 28Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 44.5" | 50" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 20.6" | 22" |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Maryland to Kentucky. Kentucky gets 8% fewer sunshine days than Maryland.
- Kentucky has higher humidity and a lower 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 floods in Kentucky.
- The average summer high temperature in Kentucky is 2 degrees warmer than in Maryland.
- The average winter lows in Kentucky are 1 degree colder than those in Maryland.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Kentucky. Kentucky receives 5.5 more inches of rain compared to Maryland.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Maryland and Kentucky
Comparison | Maryland | Kentucky |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $94,991 | $59,341 |
Cost of Living Index | 124.95 | 87.8 |
State Income Tax | 4.75 - 5.75 | 2 - 5 |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.06 | 0.83 |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6 | 6 |
Top 3 Industries | Technology, Defense, Biotechnology | Manufacturing, Agriculture, Healthcare |
Affluence | High | Moderate |
Poverty | Moderate | High |
Homelessness | Low | Moderate |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Kentucky tend to earn about 38% less than those in Maryland
- The COLI in Kentucky is 30% lower than what you are used to living in Maryland
- The state income tax in KY is 2 to 5 compared to 4.75 to 5.75 in MD
- The affluence in Kentucky is moderate compared to high in Maryland
- The poverty level is high in Kentucky compared to moderate in Maryland
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in Maryland and moderate in Kentucky
Political and Religious Climate in Maryland vs. Kentucky
Comparison | Maryland | Kentucky |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Lean Democratic | Lean Republican |
Local Politics | Progressive in urban areas | Conservative, with some progressive areas in cities |
Religion | Christianity predominant, diverse religious communities | Primarily Christian, Evangelical focus |
- Maryland tends to lean Democratic in its political climate
- Kentucky, on the other hand, is often described as leaning Republican
- Kentucky's religious environment can be described as primarily Christian with an Evangelical focus
- Maryland's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as predominantly Christianity with diverse religious communities
Education Guide When Moving from Maryland to Kentucky
Comparison | Maryland | Kentucky |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Maryland Johns Hopkins University Towson University | University of Kentucky University of Louisville Western Kentucky University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Fulton Elementary (Fulton) Cold Spring Elementary (Potomac) Bannockburn Elementary (Bethesda) | Greathouse/Shryock Traditional (Louisville) Rosa Parks Elementary (Lexington) Brandeis Elementary (Louisville) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Eastern Middle (Silver Spring) Thomas W. Pyle Middle (Bethesda) Herbert Hoover Middle (Potomac) | Barret Traditional Middle (Louisville) Beaumont Middle (Lexington) Murray Middle (Murray) |
Top 3 High Schools | Winston Churchill High (Potomac) Walt Whitman High (Bethesda) Poolesville High (Poolesville) | DuPont Manual High (Louisville) Gatton Academy (Bowling Green) Highlands High (Fort Thomas) |
Top 3 private high schools | Gilman School (Baltimore) Holton-Arms School (Bethesda) McDonogh School (Owings Mills) | Sacred Heart Academy (Louisville) Louisville Collegiate School (Louisville) Lexington Catholic High (Lexington) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Sidwell Friends (Bethesda) Bullis School (Potomac) Landon School (Bethesda) | The Lexington School (Lexington) Sayre School (Lexington) Kentucky Country Day School (Louisville) |
Top 3 School Districts | Montgomery County Public Schools Howard County Public School System Frederick County Public Schools | Fayette County Public Schools Jefferson County Public Schools Oldham County Schools |
How Much Do Maryland to Kentucky Movers Cost?
Moving 547 miles from Maryland to Kentucky 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: 2-8 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: AT Movers
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,513 | 300 ft3 | $5.04 |
1 Bedroom | $2,246 | 450 ft3 | $4.99 |
2 Bedrooms | $3,706 | 750 ft3 | $4.94 |
3 Bedrooms | $5,381 | 1100 ft3 | $4.89 |
4 Bedrooms | $7,747 | 1600 ft3 | $4.84 |
5+ Bedrooms | $8,626 | 1800 ft3 | $4.79 |
Top Maryland to Kentucky Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Maryland to Kentucky movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.