Maryland to Virginia Moving Guide
Updated June 19, 2025

Planning a 212 mile interstate move from Maryland to Virginia? This moving guide will help you compare living in Maryland vs Virginia across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high taxes vs lower taxes), food & health (like Crab Cakes vs Virginia Ham), real estate & housing (colonial, cape cod vs colonial, brick ranchers), 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 Virginia Ham & BBQ Brisket
- Virginia housing costs are 7% less expensive than they are in Maryland
- Rent in Virginia is 1.89% more affordable than in Maryland
- Moving from Maryland to Virginia will cost on average between $1,000 - $4,000
- Our top recommended Maryland to Virginia movers is AT Movers
Maryland to Virginia Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Maryland to Virginia
- High taxes
- Congested traffic
- Costly housing
- Extreme winter cold
- Heavier regulations
- Lower taxes
- Less congested roads
- Affordable housing
- Milder winters
- Laxer regulations
- Longer commute to D.C.
- Fewer historic landmarks
- No direct bay access
- Less cultural diversity
- Fewer prestigious colleges
- Proximity to D.C.
- Historic landmarks
- Chesapeake Bay access
- Diverse culture
- Renowned colleges
Pros of moving from Maryland to Virginia
- Say goodbye to high taxes and hello to lower taxes
- Look forward to moving away from congested traffic and moving to Virginia with less congested roads
- Swap the costly housing of Maryland for affordable housing in Virginia
- Get ready for milder winters in Virginia
Cons of moving from Maryland to Virginia
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from proximity to D.C. in Maryland to live with a longer commute to D.C. in Virginia
- You'll lose out on the pro of historic landmarks and have to settle for the con of fewer historic landmarks
- Time to bid farewell to Chesapeake Bay access and get used to no direct bay access in Virginia
- Swap diverse culture for less cultural diversity
Maryland vs. Virginia: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Maryland | Virginia |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Crab Cakes | Virginia Ham |
Most popular meat dish | Fried Chicken | BBQ Brisket |
Most popular street food item | Soft Shell Crab Sandwich | Pulled Pork Sandwich |
Most popular vegan food | Grilled Vegetable Platter | Vegan Brunswick Stew |
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 Virginia, you will be trading the iconic Crab Cakes of Maryland for the equally delicious Virginia Ham of Virginia. And while the locals in Maryland rave about their flavorful Fried Chicken and sumptuous Soft Shell Crab Sandwich, Virginia residents know they have tasty BBQ Brisket and Pulled Pork Sandwich to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Grilled Vegetable Platter they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Vegan Brunswick Stew of Virginia. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Maryland eateries like Bertha's Mussels, Woodberry Kitchen, and Miss Shirley's Cafe. After the boxes are unpacked in Virginia, don't wait too long before making your way to Virginia's acclaimed eateries like The Inn at Little Washington, BBQ Exchange, and Le Diplomate.
When comparing lifestyles, Virginia shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Maryland. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Virginia compared to what you are used to in Maryland. Also, the overall foodie scene is similarly bustling in Virginia.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Maryland and Virginia
Comparison | Maryland | Virginia |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial, Cape Cod | Colonial, Brick Ranchers |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Hardwood floors, waterfront views | Mountain views, proximity to military bases |
- The Colonial and Cape Cod architecture that Maryland is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Brick Ranchers architecture typical of Virginia.
- Compared to Maryland's real estate listings that commonly reference hardwood floors and waterfront views, Virginia real estate listings often highlight features like mountain views and proximity to military bases.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away; Virginia is less walkable than Maryland.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike; Virginia is more bike-friendly than Maryland.
- Virginia has less of an urban feel than Maryland.
- Virginia housing costs are 7% less expensive than they are in Maryland, with a median home price of $385,780 compared to Marylandβs $414,972.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Virginia have increased by 42% compared to a 33% increase in Maryland.
- Rent in Virginia is 1.89% more affordable than in Maryland.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Maryland and Virginia
Comparison | Maryland | Virginia |
---|---|---|
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, Floods, Earthquakes |
Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 85/66 | 87/68 |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 42/29 | 48/30 |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 44 | 42 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 20.5 | 22.4 |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Maryland to Virginia. Virginia gets 4% fewer sunshine days than Maryland.
- Virginia 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, floods, and earthquakes in Virginia.
- The average summer high temperature in Virginia is 2 degrees warmer than in Maryland.
- The average winter lows are 1 degree warmer than they are in Maryland.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Virginia. Virginia receives 2 fewer inches of rain compared to Maryland.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Maryland and Virginia
Comparison | Maryland | Virginia |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $94,991 | $85,873 |
Cost of Living Index | 124.95 | 96.6 |
State Income Tax | 4.75% | 5.75% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.10% | 0.80% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6.00% | 5.30% |
Top 3 Industries | Healthcare, Education, Government | Defense, Technology, Agriculture |
Affluence | High | Moderate |
Poverty | Moderate | Low |
Homelessness | Moderate | Low |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Virginia tend to earn about 10% less than in Maryland
- The COLI in Virginia will be 23% lower than what you are used to living in Maryland
- The state income tax in VA is 5.75% compared to 4.75% in MD
- The affluence in Virginia is moderate compared to high in Maryland
- The poverty level is low in Virginia compared to moderate in Maryland
- In terms of homelessness, it is moderate in Maryland and low in Virginia
Political and Religious Climate in Maryland vs. Virginia
Comparison | Maryland | Virginia |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Leans Democratic | Mixed, with both Democratic and Republican strongholds |
Local Politics | Urban areas tend to be more liberal | Varies significantly between urban and rural areas |
Religion | Christianity predominant, diversified religious communities | Christianity predominant, increasing diversity in religious practices |
- Maryland tends to lean Democratic in its political climate
- Virginia, on the other hand, is often described as mixed, with both Democratic and Republican strongholds
- Virginia's religious environment can be described as predominantly Christian, with increasing diversity in religious practices
- Maryland's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as predominantly Christian, with diversified religious communities
Education Guide When Moving from Maryland to Virginia
Comparison | Maryland | Virginia |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Maryland Johns Hopkins University Towson University | University of Virginia Virginia Tech William & Mary |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Cold Spring Elementary (Potomac) Fulton Elementary (Fulton) Bannockburn Elementary (Bethesda) | Churchill Road Elementary (McLean) Nottingham Elementary (Arlington) Great Falls Elementary (Great Falls) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Thomas W. Pyle Middle School (Bethesda) Herbert Hoover Middle (Potomac) Cabin John Middle School (Potomac) | Longfellow Middle School (Falls Church) Cooper Middle School (McLean) Frost Middle School (Fairfax) |
Top 3 High School Schools | Walt Whitman High School (Bethesda) Winston Churchill High School (Potomac) Thomas S. Wootton High (Rockville) | Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (Alexandria) McLean High School (McLean) Langley High School (McLean) |
Top 3 private high schools | Gilman School (Baltimore) McDonogh School (Owings Mills) Holton-Arms School (Bethesda) | The Madeira School (McLean) St. Stephen's & St. Agnes School (Alexandria) Episcopal High School (Alexandria) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Sidwell Friends School (Bethesda) The Park School (Baltimore) Friends School of Baltimore (Baltimore) | Thomas Jefferson School for Science and Technology (Alexandria) Norfolk Academy (Norfolk) The Potomac School (McLean) |
Top 3 School Districts | Montgomery County Public Schools Howard County Public School System Anne Arundel County Public Schools | Fairfax County Public Schools Loudoun County Public Schools Arlington Public Schools |
How Much Do Maryland to Virginia Movers Cost?
Moving 212 miles from Maryland to Virginia 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: 2-7 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Estes SureMove
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,124 | 300 ft3 | $3.75 |
1 Bedroom | $1,667 | 450 ft3 | $3.71 |
2 Bedrooms | $2,747 | 750 ft3 | $3.66 |
3 Bedrooms | $3,982 | 1100 ft3 | $3.62 |
4 Bedrooms | $5,724 | 1600 ft3 | $3.58 |
5+ Bedrooms | $6,363 | 1800 ft3 | $3.54 |
Top Maryland to Virginia Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Maryland to Virginia movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.