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Maryland to Montana Moving Guide

Updated June 3, 2025

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Planning a 2,033 mile interstate move from Maryland to Montana? This moving guide will help you compare living in Maryland vs Montana across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high cost of living vs lower living costs), food & health (like Crab cakes vs Bison steak), real estate & housing (colonial, cape cod vs ranch, log cabin), 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 Bison steak & Elk burgers
  • Montana housing costs are 10% more expensive than they are in Maryland
  • Rent in Montana is 24.46% more affordable than in Maryland
  • Moving from Maryland to Montana will cost on average between $2,500 - $8,500
  • Our top recommended Maryland to Montana movers is AT Movers

Maryland to Montana Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Maryland to Montana

ConsMaryland iconMaryland
  • High cost of living
  • Heavy traffic congestion
  • Dense population
  • High crime areas
ProsMontana iconMontana
  • Lower living costs
  • Ease of commute
  • Open spaces
  • Safer communities

Montana iconMontana
  • Vast distances
  • Limited historical sites
  • Fewer entertainment options
  • Limited dining options
Maryland iconMaryland
  • Proximity to DC
  • Rich history
  • Cultural activities
  • Varied dining scene

Pros of moving from Maryland to Montana

  • Say goodbye to the high cost of living and hello to lower living costs
  • Look forward to moving away from heavy traffic congestion and moving to Montana with ease of commute
  • Swap the dense population of Maryland for open spaces in Montana
  • Get ready for safer communities in Montana

Cons of moving from Maryland to Montana

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the proximity to DC in Maryland to live with vast distances in Montana
  • You'll lose out on the pro of rich history and have to settle for the con of limited historical sites
  • Time to bid farewell to cultural activities and get used to fewer entertainment options in Montana
  • Swap the varied dining scene for limited dining options

Maryland vs. Montana: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonMarylandMontana
Most iconic local food itemCrab cakesBison steak
Most popular meat dishFried ChickenElk burgers
Most popular street food itemFish tacosHuckleberry pies
Most popular vegan foodAvocado toastQuinoa salads
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
    • Phillips Seafood
    • Charm City Cakes
    • Miss Shirley's Cafe
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 Montana, you will be trading the iconic Crab cakes of Maryland for the equally delicious Bison steak of Montana. And while the locals in Maryland rave about their flavorful Fried Chicken and sumptuous Fish tacos, Montana residents know they have tasty Elk burgers and Huckleberry pies 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 Quinoa salads of Montana. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Maryland eateries like Phillips Seafood, Charm City Cakes, and Miss Shirley's Cafe. After the boxes are unpacked in Montana, don't wait too long before making your way to Montana's acclaimed eateries like Montana's Rib and Chop House, Mackenzie River Pizza Co., and Wild Crumb Bakery.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Maryland and Montana

ComparisonMarylandMontana
Typical Architecture StyleColonial, Cape CodRanch, Log Cabin
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 listingsWaterfront, proximity to DCMountain views, privacy
  • The Colonial and Cape Cod architecture that Maryland is known for will be replaced with the Ranch and Log Cabin architecture typical of Montana.
  • Compared to Maryland's real estate listings that commonly reference waterfront and proximity to DC, Montana real estate listings often highlight features like mountain views and privacy.
  • You can keep your walking shoes packed away. Montana is less walkable than Maryland.
  • Montana is similarly bike-friendly to Maryland.
  • Montana has less of an urban feel than Maryland.
  • Montana housing costs are 10% more expensive than they are in Maryland, with a median home price of $456,199 compared to Maryland’s $414,972.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Montana have increased by 71% compared to a 33% increase in Maryland.
  • Rent in Montana is 24.46% more affordable than in Maryland.

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

ComparisonMarylandMontana
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, Snowstorms
Air QualityGood to ModerateGood
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)87Β°F / 66Β°F81Β°F / 51Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)43Β°F / 29Β°F35Β°F / 17Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)4415
Annual Snowfall (Inches)20.584
  • The shades won't be used as much for your move from Maryland to Montana. Montana gets 11% fewer sunshine days than Maryland.
  • Montana 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 snowstorms in Montana.
  • Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in Montana is 6 degrees colder than in Maryland.
  • The average winter lows are 12 degrees colder than they are in Maryland.
  • Your umbrella might be neglected in Montana. Montana receives 29 fewer inches of rain compared to Maryland.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Maryland and Montana

ComparisonMarylandMontana
Avg. Household Income$94,991$67,631
Cost of Living Index124.9599.4
State Income Tax2% - 5.75%1% - 6.9%
Avg. Property Tax1.10%0.83%
Avg. Sales Tax6%0%
Top 3 IndustriesGovernment, Professional Services, HealthcareAgriculture, Tourism, Mining
AffluenceHighModerate
PovertyLowModerate
HomelessnessModerateLow
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Montana tend to earn about 29% less than in Maryland
  • The COLI in Montana is 20% lower than what you are used to living in Maryland
  • The state income tax in MT is 1% - 6.9% compared to 2% - 5.75% in MD
  • The affluence in Montana is moderate compared to high in Maryland
  • The poverty level is moderate in Montana compared to low in Maryland
  • In terms of homelessness, it is moderate in Maryland and low in Montana

Political and Religious Climate in Maryland vs. Montana

ComparisonMarylandMontana
Political Make-upDemocratic-leaningRepublican-leaning
Local PoliticsModerately liberalConservatively flavored
ReligionMainly Christian, diverse religious populationMainly Christian, with a strong evangelical presence
  • Maryland tends to lean Democratic in its political climate
  • Montana, on the other hand, is often described as Republican
  • Montana's religious environment can be described as mainly Christian with a strong evangelical presence
  • Maryland's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as mainly Christian with a diverse religious population

Education Guide When Moving from Maryland to Montana

ComparisonMarylandMontana
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)University of Maryland
Johns Hopkins University
Towson University
Montana State University
University of Montana
Carroll College
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsFulton Elementary (Fulton)
Stone Mill Elementary (North Potomac)
Bannockburn Elementary (Bethesda)
Chief Joseph Elementary (Bozeman)
Radley Elementary (East Helena)
Cold Springs Elementary (Missoula)
Top 3 Middle SchoolsEastern Middle (Silver Spring)
Burleigh Manor Middle (Ellicott City)
Thomas W. Pyle Middle (Bethesda)
Sacajawea Middle (Bozeman)
C.R. Anderson Middle (Helena)
Washington Middle (Missoula)
Top 3 High School SchoolsPoolesville High (Poolesville)
Walt Whitman High (Bethesda)
Winston Churchill High (Potomac)
Bozeman High (Bozeman)
Hellgate High (Missoula)
Sentinel High (Missoula)
Top 3 private high schoolsGilman School (Baltimore)
Holton-Arms School (Bethesda)
McDonogh School (Owings Mills)
Billings Central Catholic High (Billings)
Missoula Loyola (Missoula)
Valley Christian School (Missoula)
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsSandy Spring Friends School (Sandy Spring)
The Bryn Mawr School (Baltimore)
Georgetown Preparatory School (North Bethesda)
Petra Academy (Bozeman)
Missoula International School (Missoula)
Foothills Community Christian School (Great Falls)
Top 3 School DistrictsMontgomery County Public Schools
Howard County Public School System
Frederick County Public Schools
Bozeman School District
Missoula County Public Schools
Billings Public Schools

How Much Do Maryland to Montana Movers Cost?

Moving 2,033 miles from Maryland to Montana will typically cost between $3,500 and $8,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.

  • Expected Range: $3,500 - $8,500
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-10 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: AT Movers
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$2,355300 ft3$7.85
1 Bedroom$3,510450 ft3$7.80
2 Bedrooms$5,813750 ft3$7.75
3 Bedrooms$8,4701100 ft3$7.70
4 Bedrooms$12,2401600 ft3$7.65
5+ Bedrooms$13,6801800 ft3$7.60

Top Maryland to Montana Movers

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

TOP PICK
AT Movers featured image

AT Movers

Best moving company overall for Maryland to Montana

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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