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Maryland to North Carolina Moving Guide

Updated June 20, 2025

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Planning a 315 mile interstate move from Maryland to North Carolina? This moving guide will help you compare living in Maryland vs North Carolina across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like higher taxes vs lower taxes), food & health (like Crab Cakes vs Pulled Pork BBQ), real estate & housing (colonial, cape cod vs craftsman, colonial), 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 Pulled Pork BBQ & Eastern Carolina BBQ
  • North Carolina housing costs are 21% less expensive than they are in Maryland
  • Rent in North Carolina is 7.15% more affordable than in Maryland
  • Moving from Maryland to North Carolina will cost on average between $1,000 - $4,000
  • Our top recommended Maryland to North Carolina movers is AT Movers

Maryland to North Carolina Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Maryland to North Carolina

ConsMaryland iconMaryland
  • Higher taxes
  • Harsh winters
  • Heavy traffic
  • High cost of living
ProsNorth Carolina iconNorth Carolina
  • Lower taxes
  • Mild winters
  • Lighter traffic
  • Affordable living

North Carolina iconNorth Carolina
  • Far from major cities
  • Fewer job options
  • Limited coastlines
  • Newer developments
Maryland iconMaryland
  • Proximity to D.C.
  • Diverse job market
  • Coastal attractions
  • Rich history

Pros of moving from Maryland to North Carolina

  • Say goodbye to higher taxes and hello to lower taxes
  • Look forward to moving away from harsh winters and moving to North Carolina with mild winters
  • Swap the heavy traffic of Maryland for lighter traffic in North Carolina
  • Get ready for affordable living in North Carolina

Cons of moving from Maryland to North Carolina

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from proximity to D.C. in Maryland to live far from major cities in North Carolina
  • You'll lose out on the pro of a diverse job market and have to settle for the con of fewer job options
  • Time to bid farewell to coastal attractions and get used to limited coastlines in North Carolina
  • Swap rich history for newer developments

Maryland vs. North Carolina: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonMarylandNorth Carolina
Most iconic local food itemCrab CakesPulled Pork BBQ
Most popular meat dishFried ChickenEastern Carolina BBQ
Most popular street food itemSoft Shell Crab SandwichHot Dogs
Most popular vegan foodVegetable Crab SoupBarbecue Tofu
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Phillips Seafood
  • Charm City Cakes
  • Bertha's Mussels
  • Lexington Barbecue
  • The Pit
  • Buxton Hall Barbecue
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 North Carolina, you will be trading the iconic Crab Cakes of Maryland for the equally delicious Pulled Pork BBQ of North Carolina. And while the locals in Maryland rave about their flavorful Fried Chicken and sumptuous Soft Shell Crab Sandwich, North Carolina residents know they have tasty Eastern Carolina BBQ and Hot Dogs to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Vegetable Crab Soup they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Barbecue Tofu of North Carolina. 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 North Carolina, don't wait too long before making your way to North Carolina's acclaimed eateries like Lexington Barbecue, The Pit, and Buxton Hall Barbecue.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Maryland and North Carolina

ComparisonMarylandNorth Carolina
Typical Architecture StyleColonial, Cape CodCraftsman, Colonial
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, waterfront viewsOpen floor plans, large yards
  • The Colonial and Cape Cod architecture that Maryland is known for will be replaced with the Craftsman and Colonial architecture typical of North Carolina.
  • Compared to Maryland's real estate listings that commonly reference hardwood floors and waterfront views, North Carolina real estate listings often highlight features like open floor plans and large yards.
  • You can keep your walking shoes packed away; North Carolina is less walkable than Maryland.
  • You might want to think twice before moving your bike; North Carolina is less bike-friendly than Maryland.
  • North Carolina has less of an urban feel than Maryland.
  • North Carolina housing costs are 21% less expensive than they are in Maryland, with a median home price of $329,225 compared to Maryland’s $414,972.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in North Carolina have increased by 63% compared to a 33% increase in Maryland.
  • Rent in North Carolina is 7.15% more affordable than in Maryland.

Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Maryland and North Carolina

ComparisonMarylandNorth Carolina
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, floodsHurricanes, tornadoes
Air QualityGoodGood
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)85/6688/67
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)44/2850/30
Annual Rainfall (Inches)44.550.3
Annual Snowfall (Inches)20.67.6
  • North Carolina gets an equal number of sunshine days as Maryland.
  • North Carolina 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 hurricanes and tornadoes in North Carolina.
  • The average summer high temperature in North Carolina is 3 degrees warmer than in Maryland.
  • The average winter lows are 2 degrees warmer than they are in Maryland.
  • Your umbrella might be more overworked in North Carolina, as it receives 5.8 more inches of rain compared to Maryland.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Maryland and North Carolina

ComparisonMarylandNorth Carolina
Avg. Household Income$94,991$67,481
Cost of Living Index124.9595.85
State Income Tax2% - 5.75%5.25%
Avg. Property Tax1.10%0.77%
Avg. Sales Tax6%6.75%
Top 3 IndustriesBiotechnology, IT, ConstructionAerospace, Banking, Pharmaceuticals
AffluenceHighModerate
PovertyLowModerate
HomelessnessModerateLow
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in North Carolina tend to earn about 29% less than in Maryland
  • The COLI in North Carolina will be 23% lower than what you are used to living in Maryland
  • The state income tax in NC is 5.25% compared to 2% to 5.75% in MD
  • The affluence in North Carolina is moderate compared to high in Maryland
  • The poverty level is moderate in North Carolina compared to low in Maryland
  • In terms of homelessness, it is moderate in Maryland and low in North Carolina

Political and Religious Climate in Maryland vs. North Carolina

ComparisonMarylandNorth Carolina
Political Make-upLean DemocraticMixed, with both Democratic and Republican strongholds
Local PoliticsDiverse urban and suburban policiesCombination of urban progressive policies and rural conservative values
ReligionPrimarily Christian, with significant Jewish, Muslim, and other faithsMajority Christian, including a large evangelical community
  • Maryland tends to lean Democratic in its political climate
  • North Carolina, on the other hand, is often described as mixed, with both Democratic and Republican strongholds
  • North Carolina's religious environment can be described as majority Christian, including a large evangelical community
  • Maryland's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as primarily Christian, with significant Jewish, Muslim, and other faiths

Education Guide When Moving from Maryland to North Carolina

ComparisonMarylandNorth Carolina
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)University of Maryland
Towson University
University of Maryland-Baltimore County
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
North Carolina State University
Duke University
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsCold Spring Elementary - Potomac
Fulton Elementary - Fulton
Stone Mill Elementary - North Potomac
Endhaven Elementary - Charlotte
Morrisville Elementary - Morrisville
Davis Drive Elementary - Cary
Top 3 Middle SchoolsThomas W. Pyle Middle School - Bethesda
Herbert Hoover Middle School - Potomac
Cabin John Middle School - Potomac
Jayne F. Carrington Middle School - Durham
Ligon Middle School - Raleigh
Smith Middle School - Chapel Hill
Top 3 High School SchoolsWalt Whitman High School - Bethesda
Winston Churchill High School - Potomac
Thomas S. Wootton High School - Rockville
Green Hope High School - Cary
Raleigh Charter High School - Raleigh
Chapel Hill High School - Chapel Hill
Top 3 private high schoolsGilman School - Baltimore
McDonogh School - Owings Mills
Holton-Arms School - Bethesda
Charlotte Country Day School - Charlotte
Duke School - Durham
Raleigh School - Raleigh
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsCalvert School - Baltimore
Landon School - Bethesda
St. Timothy's School - Stevenson
Carolina Day School - Asheville
Cary Academy - Cary
Durham Academy - Durham
Top 3 School DistrictsMontgomery County Public Schools
Howard County Public Schools
Anne Arundel County Public Schools
Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools
Wake County Public School System
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools

How Much Do Maryland to North Carolina Movers Cost?

Moving 315 miles from Maryland to North Carolina will typically cost between $1,500 and $4,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.

  • Expected Range: $1,500 - $4,000
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-10 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: AT Movers
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,174300 ft3$3.91
1 Bedroom$1,742450 ft3$3.87
2 Bedrooms$2,871750 ft3$3.83
3 Bedrooms$4,1641100 ft3$3.79
4 Bedrooms$5,9891600 ft3$3.74
5+ Bedrooms$6,6611800 ft3$3.70

Top Maryland to North Carolina Movers

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

TOP PICK
AT Movers featured image

AT Movers

Best moving company overall for Maryland to North Carolina

9.65/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
AJ Moving Services LLC featured image

AJ Moving Services LLC

9.57/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
Just Move It, LLC featured image

Just Move It, LLC

9.50/10
ExceptionalView details