Maryland to Massachusetts Moving Guide
Updated June 19, 2025

Planning a 406 mile interstate move from Maryland to Massachusetts? This moving guide will help you compare living in Maryland vs Massachusetts across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like higher taxes vs quality healthcare), food & health (like Crab Cakes vs Clam Chowder), real estate & housing (colonial vs colonial, victorian), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Massachusetts), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Crab Cakes and Fried Chicken, but get your taste buds ready for Clam Chowder & Boston Baked Beans
- Massachusetts housing costs are 48% more expensive than they are in Maryland
- Rent in Massachusetts is 36.09% more expensive than in Maryland
- Moving from Maryland to Massachusetts will cost on average between $1,000 - $4,500
- Our top recommended Maryland to Massachusetts movers is Paradise Moving & Storage
Maryland to Massachusetts Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Maryland to Massachusetts
- Higher taxes
- Traffic congestion
- Hurricane risk
- Limited winter activities
- Quality healthcare
- Better public transit
- Safer weather
- Rich cultural scene
- Higher housing costs
- Cold winters
- Higher cost of goods
- Limited parking
- Lower cost of living
- Warm climate
- Cultural diversity
- Seaside access
Pros of moving from Maryland to Massachusetts
- Say goodbye to higher taxes and hello to quality healthcare
- Look forward to moving away from traffic congestion and moving to Massachusetts with better public transit
- Swap the hurricane risk of Maryland for safer weather in Massachusetts
- Get ready for a rich cultural scene in Massachusetts
Cons of moving from Maryland to Massachusetts
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from a lower cost of living in Maryland to live with higher housing costs in Massachusetts
- You'll lose out on the pro of a warm climate and have to settle for the con of cold winters
- Time to bid farewell to cultural diversity and get used to the higher cost of goods in Massachusetts
- Swap seaside access for limited parking
Maryland vs. Massachusetts: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Maryland | Massachusetts |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Crab Cakes | Clam Chowder |
Most popular meat dish | Fried Chicken | Boston Baked Beans |
Most popular street food item | Soft Shell Crab Sandwich | Lobster Roll |
Most popular vegan food | Avocado Toast | Tofu Scramble |
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 Massachusetts, you will be trading the iconic Crab Cakes of Maryland for the equally delicious Clam Chowder of Massachusetts. And while the locals in Maryland rave about their flavorful Fried Chicken and sumptuous Soft Shell Crab Sandwich, Massachusetts residents know they have tasty Boston Baked Beans and Lobster Roll to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Avocado Toast they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Tofu Scramble of Massachusetts. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Maryland eateries like Charleston Restaurant, Woodberry Kitchen, and Phillips Seafood. After the boxes are unpacked in Massachusetts, don't wait too long before making your way to Massachusetts' acclaimed eateries like Union Oyster House, Neptune Oyster, and Barking Crab.
When comparing lifestyles, Massachusetts shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Maryland. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Massachusetts compared to what you are used to in Maryland. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Massachusetts.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Maryland and Massachusetts
Comparison | Maryland | Massachusetts |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial | Colonial, Victorian |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Waterfront, Open floor plan | Proximity to public transit, Historic details |
- The Colonial architecture that Maryland is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Victorian architecture typical of Massachusetts.
- Compared to Maryland's real estate listings that commonly reference waterfront and open floor plans, Massachusetts real estate listings often highlight features like proximity to public transit and historic details.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Massachusetts is more walkable than Maryland.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Massachusetts is more bike-friendly than Maryland.
- Massachusetts has more of an urban feel than Maryland.
- Massachusetts housing costs are 48% more expensive than they are in Maryland, with a median home price of $612,509 compared to Marylandβs $414,972.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Massachusetts have increased by 46% compared to a 33% increase in Maryland.
- Rent in Massachusetts is 36.09% more expensive than in Maryland.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Maryland and Massachusetts
Comparison | Maryland | Massachusetts |
---|---|---|
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 | Blizzards, Nor'easters |
Air Quality | Good to Moderate | Good to Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 85Β°F / 66Β°F | 80Β°F / 60Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 42Β°F / 29Β°F | 37Β°F / 22Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 44" | 47" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 20.5" | 51" |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Maryland to Massachusetts. Massachusetts gets 6% fewer sunshine days than Maryland.
- Massachusetts has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Maryland.
- Say goodbye to the possible hurricanes and floods in Maryland, but be on the lookout for potential blizzards and nor'easters in Massachusetts.
- Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in Massachusetts is 5 degrees colder than in Maryland.
- The average winter lows are 7 degrees colder than they are in Maryland.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Massachusetts. Massachusetts receives 3 more inches of rain compared to Maryland.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Maryland and Massachusetts
Comparison | Maryland | Massachusetts |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $94,991 | $94,488 |
Cost of Living Index | 124.95 | 121.55 |
State Income Tax | 4.75 - 5.75% | 5.00% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.06% | 1.23% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6.00% | 6.25% |
Top 3 Industries | Biotech, IT, Government | Education, Healthcare, Finance |
Affluence | Moderate | High |
Poverty | Moderate | Low |
Homelessness | Moderate | Low |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Massachusetts tend to earn about 1% less than in Maryland
- The COLI in Massachusetts is 3% lower than what you are used to living in Maryland
- The state income tax in MA is 5.00% compared to 4.75% to 5.75% in MD
- The affluence in Massachusetts is high compared to moderate in Maryland
- The poverty level is low in Massachusetts compared to moderate in Maryland
- In terms of homelessness, it is moderate in Maryland and low in Massachusetts
Political and Religious Climate in Maryland vs. Massachusetts
Comparison | Maryland | Massachusetts |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Democratic-leaning | Strongly Democratic |
Local Politics | Mixed, with both Democratic and Republican strongholds | Mostly Democratic, especially in urban areas |
Religion | Christianity is the largest group, followed by non-religious individuals | Christianity dominant, but with a significant non-religious population |
- Maryland tends to lean Democratic-leaning in its political climate
- Massachusetts, on the other hand, is often described as strongly Democratic
- Massachusetts' religious environment can be described as Christianity dominant but with a significant non-religious population
- Maryland's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Christianity is the largest group followed by non-religious individuals
Education Guide When Moving from Maryland to Massachusetts
Comparison | Maryland | Massachusetts |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Maryland Towson University University of Maryland-Baltimore County | University of Massachusetts Amherst Boston University Northeastern University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Cold Spring Elementary (Potomac) Folger McKinsey Elementary (Severna Park) Stone Mill Elementary (North Potomac) | Edward Brooke Charter School (Boston) John D. Hardy Elementary (Wellesley) Vinson-Owen Elementary (Winchester) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Thomas W. Pyle Middle School (Bethesda) Herbert Hoover Middle (Potomac) Burleigh Manor Middle School (Ellicott City) | William Diamond Middle School (Lexington) Jonas Clarke Middle School (Lexington) Blanchard Middle School (Westford) |
Top 3 High Schools | Walt Whitman High (Bethesda) Winston Churchill High (Potomac) Poolesville High (Poolesville) | Massachusetts Academy of Math and Science (Worcester) Boston Latin School (Boston) Lexington High School (Lexington) |
Top 3 private high schools | Gilman School (Baltimore) Holton-Arms School (Bethesda) McDonogh School (Owings Mills) | Phillips Academy (Andover) Groton School (Groton) Milton Academy (Milton) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Sidwell Friends School (Bethesda) Georgetown Preparatory School (North Bethesda) St. Anselm's Abbey School (Washington) | St. Mark's School (Southborough) Noble and Greenough School (Dedham) The Winsor School (Boston) |
Top 3 School Districts | Howard County Public Schools Montgomery County Public Schools Anne Arundel County Public Schools | Lexington Public Schools Newton Public Schools Weston Public Schools |
How Much Do Maryland to Massachusetts Movers Cost?
Moving 406 miles from Maryland to Massachusetts will typically cost between $2,000 and $4,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $2,000 - $4,500
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-7 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Centaur Moving
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,218 | 300 ft3 | $4.06 |
1 Bedroom | $1,808 | 450 ft3 | $4.02 |
2 Bedrooms | $2,981 | 750 ft3 | $3.97 |
3 Bedrooms | $4,325 | 1100 ft3 | $3.93 |
4 Bedrooms | $6,223 | 1600 ft3 | $3.89 |
5+ Bedrooms | $6,924 | 1800 ft3 | $3.85 |
Top Maryland to Massachusetts Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Maryland to Massachusetts movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Paradise Moving & Storage
Best moving company overall for Maryland to Massachusetts