Maryland to Wisconsin Moving Guide
Updated June 14, 2025

Planning a 885 mile interstate move from Maryland to Wisconsin? This moving guide will help you compare living in Maryland vs Wisconsin across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like costly living vs affordable housing), food & health (like Crab Cakes vs Cheese Curds), real estate & housing (colonial, cape cod vs prairie, craftsman), 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 Cheese Curds & Bratwurst
- Wisconsin housing costs are 29% less expensive than they are in Maryland
- Rent in Wisconsin is 32.98% more affordable than in Maryland
- Moving from Maryland to Wisconsin will cost on average between $1,500 - $6,000
- Our top recommended Maryland to Wisconsin movers is AT Movers
Maryland to Wisconsin Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Maryland to Wisconsin
- Costly living
- Heavy traffic
- Hot summers
- High taxes
- Busy city life
- Affordable housing
- Less congestion
- Cooler climate
- Lower taxes
- Quieter communities
- Less diverse
- Landlocked state
- Fewer historical sites
- Fewer industries
- Quieter nightlife
- Cultural diversity
- Proximity to coast
- Historic landmarks
- More job opportunities
- Vibrant nightlife
Pros of moving from Maryland to Wisconsin
- Say goodbye to costly living and hello to affordable housing
- Look forward to moving away from heavy traffic and moving to Wisconsin with less congestion
- Swap the hot summers of Maryland for a cooler climate in Wisconsin
- Get ready for lower taxes in Wisconsin
Cons of moving from Maryland to Wisconsin
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from cultural diversity in Maryland to live with less diversity in Wisconsin
- You'll lose out on the pro of proximity to the coast and have to settle for the con of a landlocked state
- Time to bid farewell to historic landmarks and get used to fewer historical sites in Wisconsin
- Swap more job opportunities for fewer industries
Maryland vs. Wisconsin: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Maryland | Wisconsin |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Crab Cakes | Cheese Curds |
Most popular meat dish | Pit Beef | Bratwurst |
Most popular street food item | Fish Tacos | Fried Cheese Curds |
Most popular vegan food | Avocado Toast | Vegan Cheese Options |
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state |
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Fitness/Health Conscientiousness (out of 10) | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ |
Abundance of Food Trucks (out of 10) | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Foodie Scene (out of 10) | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ |
Vegan Friendly (out of 10) | 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 Wisconsin, you will be trading the iconic Crab Cakes of Maryland for the equally delicious Cheese Curds of Wisconsin. And while the locals in Maryland rave about their flavorful Pit Beef and sumptuous Fish Tacos, Wisconsin residents know they have tasty Bratwurst and Fried Cheese Curds 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 Vegan Cheese Options of Wisconsin. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Maryland eateries like Bertha's Mussels, Miss Shirleyβs CafΓ©, and G&M Restaurant. After the boxes are unpacked in Wisconsin, don't wait too long before making your way to Wisconsin's acclaimed eateries like The Old Fashioned, Maderβs, and Al Johnsonβs Swedish Restaurant.
When comparing lifestyles, Wisconsin shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Maryland. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Wisconsin compared to what you are used to in Maryland. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in Wisconsin.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Maryland and Wisconsin
Comparison | Maryland | Wisconsin |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial, Cape Cod | Prairie, Craftsman |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Waterfront, Proximity to DC | Lake access, Spacious yards |
- The Colonial and Cape Cod architecture that Maryland is known for will be replaced with the Prairie and Craftsman architecture typical of Wisconsin.
- Compared to Maryland's real estate listings that commonly reference waterfront and proximity to DC, Wisconsin real estate listings often highlight features like lake access and spacious yards.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away. Wisconsin is less walkable than Maryland.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Wisconsin is more bike-friendly than Maryland.
- Wisconsin has less of an urban feel than Maryland.
- Wisconsin housing costs are 29% less expensive than they are in Maryland, with a median home price of $294,909 compared to Marylandβs $414,972.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Wisconsin have increased by 47% compared to a 33% increase in Maryland.
- Rent in Wisconsin is 32.98% more affordable than in Maryland.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Maryland and Wisconsin
Comparison | Maryland | Wisconsin |
---|---|---|
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 | Snowstorms, Tornadoes |
Air Quality | Good | Very Good |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 87/66 | 82/62 |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 43/29 | 29/13 |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 44 | 32 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 20.6 | 48.0 |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Maryland to Wisconsin. Wisconsin gets 12% fewer sunshine days than Maryland.
- Wisconsin 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 snowstorms and tornadoes in Wisconsin.
- Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in Wisconsin is 5 degrees colder than in Maryland.
- The average winter lows in Wisconsin are 16 degrees colder than they are in Maryland.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Wisconsin. Wisconsin receives 12 fewer inches of rain compared to Maryland.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Maryland and Wisconsin
Comparison | Maryland | Wisconsin |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $94,991 | $70,996 |
Cost of Living Index | 124.95 | 95.65 |
State Income Tax | 2% - 5.75% | 3.54% - 7.65% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.09% | 1.68% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6% | 5% |
Top 3 Industries | Biotechnology, Defense, Aerospace | Manufacturing, Agriculture, Healthcare |
Affluence | High | Moderate |
Poverty | Low | Moderate |
Homelessness | Manageable | Lower |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Wisconsin tend to earn about 25% less than in Maryland
- The COLI in Wisconsin will be 23% lower than what you are used to living in Maryland
- The state income tax in WI is 3.54% - 7.65% compared to 2% - 5.75% in MD
- The affluence in Wisconsin is moderate compared to high in Maryland
- The poverty level is moderate in Wisconsin compared to low in Maryland
- In terms of homelessness, it is manageable in Maryland and lower in Wisconsin
Political and Religious Climate in Maryland vs. Wisconsin
Comparison | Maryland | Wisconsin |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Largely Democratic, especially in urban areas like Baltimore | Swing state, with mixed political leanings across the state |
Local Politics | Progressive policies in urban centers, conservative in rural areas | Varied, with conservative policies in rural areas and progressive in cities like Madison |
Religion | Diverse, with a significant Catholic population | Lutheran and Catholic majorities |
- Maryland tends to lean largely Democratic in its political climate
- Wisconsin, on the other hand, is often described as a swing state with mixed political leanings across the state
- Wisconsin's religious environment can be described as having Lutheran and Catholic majorities
- Maryland's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as diverse with a significant Catholic population
Education Guide When Moving from Maryland to Wisconsin
Comparison | Maryland | Wisconsin |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Maryland Johns Hopkins University Towson University | University of Wisconsin-Madison Marquette University University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Fulton Elementary (Fulton) Cold Spring Elementary (Potomac) Bethesda Elementary (Bethesda) | Shorewood Hills Elementary (Madison) Elm Lawn Elementary (Middleton) Swallow School (Hartland) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Thomas W. Pyle Middle School (Bethesda) Herbert Hoover Middle (Potomac) Takoma Park Middle School (Takoma Park) | Glacier Creek Middle (Middleton) Kromrey Middle School (Middleton) Lake Shore Middle School (Mequon) |
Top 3 High School Schools | Walt Whitman High (Bethesda) Winston Churchill High (Potomac) Thomas S. Wootton High (Rockville) | Madison West High (Madison) Whitefish Bay High (Whitefish Bay) Middleton High (Middleton) |
Top 3 private high schools | Gilman School (Baltimore) McDonogh School (Owings Mills) Holton-Arms School (Bethesda) | University School of Milwaukee (Milwaukee) Marquette University High School (Milwaukee) Brookfield Academy (Brookfield) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | The Park School of Baltimore (Baltimore) Friends School of Baltimore (Baltimore) St. Paul's School (Brooklandville) | University Lake School (Hartland) The Prairie School (Racine) Brookfield Academy (Brookfield) |
Top 3 School Districts | Montgomery County Public Schools Howard County Public School System Anne Arundel County Public Schools | Elmbrook School District Middleton-Cross Plains Area School District Whitefish Bay School District |
How Much Do Maryland to Wisconsin Movers Cost?
Moving 885 miles from Maryland to Wisconsin will typically cost between $2,500 and $6,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $2,500 - $6,000
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-10 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: AT Movers
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,704 | 300 ft3 | $5.68 |
1 Bedroom | $2,534 | 450 ft3 | $5.63 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,186 | 750 ft3 | $5.58 |
3 Bedrooms | $6,084 | 1100 ft3 | $5.53 |
4 Bedrooms | $8,769 | 1600 ft3 | $5.48 |
5+ Bedrooms | $9,775 | 1800 ft3 | $5.43 |
Top Maryland to Wisconsin Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Maryland to Wisconsin movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.