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Maryland to Kentucky Moving Guide

Updated June 5, 2025

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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

ConsMaryland iconMaryland
  • High cost of living
  • Heavy traffic congestion
  • High tax rates
  • Harsh winters
  • Dense urban areas
ProsKentucky iconKentucky
  • Lower cost of living
  • Lighter traffic
  • Lower tax rates
  • Milder winters
  • More rural spaces

Kentucky iconKentucky
  • Inland location
  • Limited job options
  • Fewer entertainment venues
  • Fewer historical sites
  • Fewer festivals
Maryland iconMaryland
  • 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

ComparisonMarylandKentucky
Most iconic local food itemCrab CakesFried Chicken
Most popular meat dishSteamed CrabsBurgoo
Most popular street food itemSoft Shell Crab SandwichesHot Brown Slider
Most popular vegan foodGrilled Portobello MushroomsSeitan Steaks
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Phillips Seafood
  • Charm City Cakes
  • Bertha's Mussels
  • The Monarch
  • The Brown Hotel
  • Frogez Rockhouse
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 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

ComparisonMarylandKentucky
Typical Architecture StyleColonial, ContemporaryColonial, Craftsman
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 listingHardwood floors, granite countertopsSpacious 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 Maryland’s $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

ComparisonMarylandKentucky
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, floodingTornadoes, floods
Air QualityGoodModerate
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)85Β°F / 66Β°F87Β°F / 67Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)42Β°F / 29Β°F44Β°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

ComparisonMarylandKentucky
Avg. Household Income$94,991$59,341
Cost of Living Index124.9587.8
State Income Tax4.75 - 5.752 - 5
Avg. Property Tax1.060.83
Avg. Sales Tax66
Top 3 IndustriesTechnology, Defense, BiotechnologyManufacturing, Agriculture, Healthcare
AffluenceHighModerate
PovertyModerateHigh
HomelessnessLowModerate
  • 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

ComparisonMarylandKentucky
Political Make-upLean DemocraticLean Republican
Local PoliticsProgressive in urban areasConservative, with some progressive areas in cities
ReligionChristianity predominant, diverse religious communitiesPrimarily 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

ComparisonMarylandKentucky
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 SchoolsFulton Elementary (Fulton)
Cold Spring Elementary (Potomac)
Bannockburn Elementary (Bethesda)
Greathouse/Shryock Traditional (Louisville)
Rosa Parks Elementary (Lexington)
Brandeis Elementary (Louisville)
Top 3 Middle SchoolsEastern 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 SchoolsWinston 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 schoolsGilman 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 schoolsSidwell Friends (Bethesda)
Bullis School (Potomac)
Landon School (Bethesda)
The Lexington School (Lexington)
Sayre School (Lexington)
Kentucky Country Day School (Louisville)
Top 3 School DistrictsMontgomery 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 - $5,500
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-8 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: AT Movers
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,513300 ft3$5.04
1 Bedroom$2,246450 ft3$4.99
2 Bedrooms$3,706750 ft3$4.94
3 Bedrooms$5,3811100 ft3$4.89
4 Bedrooms$7,7471600 ft3$4.84
5+ Bedrooms$8,6261800 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.

TOP PICK
AT Movers featured image

AT Movers

Best moving company overall for Maryland to Kentucky

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