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Maryland to Washington Moving Guide

Updated June 10, 2025

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Planning a 2,704 mile interstate move from Maryland to Washington? This moving guide will help you compare living in Maryland vs Washington across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high humidity vs milder climate), food & health (like Crab cakes vs Salmon), real estate & housing (colonial vs contemporary), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Maryland), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Crab cakes and Pit beef, but get your taste buds ready for Salmon & Geoduck
  • Washington housing costs are 42% more expensive than they are in Maryland
  • Rent in Washington is 5.68% more expensive than in Maryland
  • Moving from Maryland to Washington will cost on average between $2,500 - $10,000
  • Our top recommended Maryland to Washington movers is AT Movers

Maryland to Washington Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Maryland to Washington

ConsMaryland iconMaryland
  • High humidity
  • Traffic congestion
  • Limited mountain views
ProsWashington iconWashington
  • Milder climate
  • Efficient public transport
  • Spectacular natural scenery

Washington iconWashington
  • Lacks colonial heritage
  • Distance to East Coast
  • Higher living costs
Maryland iconMaryland
  • Rich history
  • Central location
  • Close-knit communities

Pros of moving from Maryland to Washington

  • Say goodbye to high humidity and hello to a milder climate
  • Look forward to moving away from traffic congestion and moving to Washington with efficient public transport
  • Swap the limited mountain views of Maryland for spectacular natural scenery in Washington

Cons of moving from Maryland to Washington

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the rich history in Maryland to live with the lack of colonial heritage in Washington
  • You'll lose out on the pro of a central location and have to settle for the con of distance to the East Coast
  • Time to bid farewell to close-knit communities and get used to higher living costs in Washington

Maryland vs. Washington: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonMarylandWashington
Most iconic local food itemCrab cakesSalmon
Most popular meat dishPit beefGeoduck
Most popular street food itemSoft-shell crab sandwichesSeattle hot dog
Most popular vegan foodVegetable crab soupTempeh Reuben
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Bertha's Mussels
  • Faidley's Seafood
  • Charm City Cakes
  • Canlis
  • Salumi
  • Mamnoon
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 Washington, you will be trading the iconic Crab cakes of Maryland for the equally delicious Salmon of Washington. And while the locals in Maryland rave about their flavorful Pit beef and sumptuous Soft-shell crab sandwiches, Washington residents know they have tasty Geoduck and Seattle 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 Tempeh Reuben of Washington. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Maryland eateries like Bertha's Mussels, Faidley's Seafood, and Charm City Cakes. After the boxes are unpacked in Washington, don't wait too long before making your way to Washington's acclaimed eateries like Canlis, Salumi, and Mamnoon.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Maryland and Washington

ComparisonMarylandWashington
Typical Architecture StyleColonialContemporary
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 listingWaterfront properties, proximity to schoolsEco-friendly features, tech industry proximity
  • The Colonial architecture that Maryland is known for will be replaced with the Contemporary architecture typical of Washington.
  • Compared to Maryland's real estate listings that commonly reference waterfront properties and proximity to schools, Washington real estate listings often highlight features like eco-friendly aspects and tech industry proximity.
  • Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Washington is more walkable than Maryland.
  • Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Washington is more bike-friendly than Maryland.
  • Washington has more of an urban feel than Maryland.
  • Washington housing costs are 42% more expensive than they are in Maryland, with a median home price of $591,148 compared to Maryland’s $414,972.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Washington have increased by 49% compared to a 33% increase in Maryland.
  • Rent in Washington is 5.68% more expensive than in Maryland.

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

ComparisonMarylandWashington
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, FloodsVolcanic Eruptions, Earthquakes
Air QualityModerateGood
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)87Β°F / 66Β°F75Β°F / 55Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)44Β°F / 29Β°F47Β°F / 37Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)4438
Annual Snowfall (Inches)207
  • The shades won't be used as much for your move from Maryland to Washington. Washington gets 29% fewer sunshine days than Maryland.
  • Washington has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Maryland.
  • Say goodbye to the possible hurricanes and floods in Maryland, but be on the lookout for potential volcanic eruptions and earthquakes in Washington.
  • Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in Washington is 12 degrees colder than in Maryland.
  • The average winter lows are 8 degrees warmer than they are in Maryland.
  • Your umbrella might be neglected in Washington. Washington receives 6 fewer inches of rain compared to Maryland.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Maryland and Washington

ComparisonMarylandWashington
Avg. Household Income$94,991$91,306
Cost of Living Index124.95104.1
State Income Tax2% - 5.75%No state income tax
Avg. Property Tax1.10%0.93%
Avg. Sales Tax6%6.5% - 10%
Top 3 IndustriesBiotechnology, IT, DefenseAerospace, IT, Agriculture
AffluenceProsperousComfortable
PovertyModerateLower
HomelessnessManageableChallenging
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Washington tend to earn about 4% less than in Maryland
  • The COLI in Washington will be 17% lower than what you are used to living in Maryland
  • The state income tax in WA is no state income tax compared to 2% to 5.75% in MD
  • The affluence in Washington is comfortable compared to prosperous in Maryland
  • The poverty level is lower in Washington compared to moderate in Maryland
  • In terms of homelessness, it is manageable in Maryland and challenging in Washington

Political and Religious Climate in Maryland vs. Washington

ComparisonMarylandWashington
Political Make-upLean DemocraticLean Democratic
Local PoliticsMixed urban and rural dynamicsUrban centers lean more progressive
ReligionLargely Christian, with significant Jewish, Muslim, and non-religious communitiesHigh non-religious population, with a mix of Christian, Buddhist, and other faiths
  • Maryland tends to lean Democratic in its political climate
  • Washington, on the other hand, is often described as leaning Democratic
  • Washington's religious environment can be described as having a high non-religious population, with a mix of Christian, Buddhist, and other faiths
  • Maryland's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as largely Christian, with significant Jewish, Muslim, and non-religious communities

Education Guide When Moving from Maryland to Washington

ComparisonMarylandWashington
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)University of Maryland
Johns Hopkins University
Towson University
University of Washington
Washington State University
Western Washington University
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsCold Spring Elementary (Potomac)
Folger McKinsey Elementary (Severna Park)
Stone Mill Elementary (North Potomac)
Cascade K-8 Community School (Shoreline)
Challenge Elementary (Bellevue)
Discovery Elementary (Gig Harbor)
Top 3 Middle SchoolsThomas W. Pyle Middle School (Bethesda)
Herbert Hoover Middle (Potomac)
Cabin John Middle School (Potomac)
International School (Bellevue)
Environmental & Adventure School (Kirkland)
Lakeside Middle School (Seattle)
Top 3 High School SchoolsWalt Whitman High School (Bethesda)
Winston Churchill High (Potomac)
Thomas S. Wootton High (Rockville)
International School (Bellevue)
Newport High School (Bellevue)
Tesla STEM High School (Redmond)
Top 3 private high schoolsGilman School (Baltimore)
Holton-Arms School (Bethesda)
McDonogh School (Owings Mills)
Lakeside School (Seattle)
The Overlake School (Redmond)
Seattle Academy (Seattle)
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsGilman School (Baltimore)
Holton-Arms School (Bothesda)
McDonogh School (Owings Mills)
The Bush School (Seattle)
The Bear Creek School (Redmond)
Eastside Preparatory School (Kirkland)
Top 3 School DistrictsMontgomery County Public Schools
Howard County Public School System
Frederick County Public Schools
Lake Washington School District
Bellevue School District
Mercer Island School District

How Much Do Maryland to Washington Movers Cost?

Moving 2,704 miles from Maryland to Washington will typically cost between $4,000 and $10,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.

  • Expected Range: $4,000 - $10,000
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-7 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: AT Movers
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$2,735300 ft3$9.12
1 Bedroom$4,081450 ft3$9.07
2 Bedrooms$6,764750 ft3$9.02
3 Bedrooms$9,8651100 ft3$8.97
4 Bedrooms$14,2691600 ft3$8.92
5+ Bedrooms$15,9631800 ft3$8.87

Top Maryland to Washington Movers

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

TOP PICK
AT Movers featured image

AT Movers

Best moving company overall for Maryland to Washington

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

AJ Moving Services LLC

9.57/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
Seattle Moves & More

Seattle Moves & More

9.55/10
ExceptionalView details