Maryland to Montana Moving Guide
Updated June 3, 2025

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
- High cost of living
- Heavy traffic congestion
- Dense population
- High crime areas
- Lower living costs
- Ease of commute
- Open spaces
- Safer communities
- Vast distances
- Limited historical sites
- Fewer entertainment options
- Limited dining options
- 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
Comparison | Maryland | Montana |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Crab cakes | Bison steak |
Most popular meat dish | Fried Chicken | Elk burgers |
Most popular street food item | Fish tacos | Huckleberry pies |
Most popular vegan food | Avocado toast | Quinoa salads |
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state |
|
|
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 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
Comparison | Maryland | Montana |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial, Cape Cod | Ranch, Log Cabin |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listings | Waterfront, proximity to DC | Mountain 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 Marylandβs $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
Comparison | Maryland | Montana |
---|---|---|
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 | Wildfires, Snowstorms |
Air Quality | Good to Moderate | Good |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 87Β°F / 66Β°F | 81Β°F / 51Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 43Β°F / 29Β°F | 35Β°F / 17Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 44 | 15 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 20.5 | 84 |
- 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
Comparison | Maryland | Montana |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $94,991 | $67,631 |
Cost of Living Index | 124.95 | 99.4 |
State Income Tax | 2% - 5.75% | 1% - 6.9% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.10% | 0.83% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6% | 0% |
Top 3 Industries | Government, Professional Services, Healthcare | Agriculture, Tourism, Mining |
Affluence | High | Moderate |
Poverty | Low | Moderate |
Homelessness | Moderate | Low |
- 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
Comparison | Maryland | Montana |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Democratic-leaning | Republican-leaning |
Local Politics | Moderately liberal | Conservatively flavored |
Religion | Mainly Christian, diverse religious population | Mainly 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
Comparison | Maryland | Montana |
---|---|---|
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 Schools | Fulton 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 Schools | Eastern 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 Schools | Poolesville High (Poolesville) Walt Whitman High (Bethesda) Winston Churchill High (Potomac) | Bozeman High (Bozeman) Hellgate High (Missoula) Sentinel High (Missoula) |
Top 3 private high schools | Gilman 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 schools | Sandy 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 Districts | Montgomery 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 SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $2,355 | 300 ft3 | $7.85 |
1 Bedroom | $3,510 | 450 ft3 | $7.80 |
2 Bedrooms | $5,813 | 750 ft3 | $7.75 |
3 Bedrooms | $8,470 | 1100 ft3 | $7.70 |
4 Bedrooms | $12,240 | 1600 ft3 | $7.65 |
5+ Bedrooms | $13,680 | 1800 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.