Maryland to North Carolina Moving Guide
Updated June 20, 2025

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
- Higher taxes
- Harsh winters
- Heavy traffic
- High cost of living
- Lower taxes
- Mild winters
- Lighter traffic
- Affordable living
- Far from major cities
- Fewer job options
- Limited coastlines
- Newer developments
- 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
Comparison | Maryland | North Carolina |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Crab Cakes | Pulled Pork BBQ |
Most popular meat dish | Fried Chicken | Eastern Carolina BBQ |
Most popular street food item | Soft Shell Crab Sandwich | Hot Dogs |
Most popular vegan food | Vegetable Crab Soup | Barbecue Tofu |
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 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
Comparison | Maryland | North Carolina |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial, Cape Cod | Craftsman, Colonial |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Hardwood floors, waterfront views | Open 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 Marylandβs $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
Comparison | Maryland | North Carolina |
---|---|---|
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 | Hurricanes, tornadoes |
Air Quality | Good | Good |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 85/66 | 88/67 |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 44/28 | 50/30 |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 44.5 | 50.3 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 20.6 | 7.6 |
- 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
Comparison | Maryland | North Carolina |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $94,991 | $67,481 |
Cost of Living Index | 124.95 | 95.85 |
State Income Tax | 2% - 5.75% | 5.25% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.10% | 0.77% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6% | 6.75% |
Top 3 Industries | Biotechnology, IT, Construction | Aerospace, Banking, Pharmaceuticals |
Affluence | High | Moderate |
Poverty | Low | Moderate |
Homelessness | Moderate | Low |
- 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
Comparison | Maryland | North Carolina |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Lean Democratic | Mixed, with both Democratic and Republican strongholds |
Local Politics | Diverse urban and suburban policies | Combination of urban progressive policies and rural conservative values |
Religion | Primarily Christian, with significant Jewish, Muslim, and other faiths | Majority 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
Comparison | Maryland | North 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 Schools | Cold Spring Elementary - Potomac Fulton Elementary - Fulton Stone Mill Elementary - North Potomac | Endhaven Elementary - Charlotte Morrisville Elementary - Morrisville Davis Drive Elementary - Cary |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Thomas 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 Schools | Walt 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 schools | Gilman 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 schools | Calvert School - Baltimore Landon School - Bethesda St. Timothy's School - Stevenson | Carolina Day School - Asheville Cary Academy - Cary Durham Academy - Durham |
Top 3 School Districts | Montgomery 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 SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,174 | 300 ft3 | $3.91 |
1 Bedroom | $1,742 | 450 ft3 | $3.87 |
2 Bedrooms | $2,871 | 750 ft3 | $3.83 |
3 Bedrooms | $4,164 | 1100 ft3 | $3.79 |
4 Bedrooms | $5,989 | 1600 ft3 | $3.74 |
5+ Bedrooms | $6,661 | 1800 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.