Michigan to Maryland Moving Guide
Updated June 12, 2025

Planning a 739 mile interstate move from Michigan to Maryland? This moving guide will help you compare living in Michigan vs Maryland across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like long, harsh winters vs milder climate), food & health (like Pasties vs Blue Crab), real estate & housing (lakefront cottage, colonial vs colonial, cape cod), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Maryland), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Pasties and Coney Dog, but get your taste buds ready for Blue Crab & Crab Cakes
- Maryland housing costs are 73% more expensive than they are in Michigan
- Rent in Maryland is 28.62% more expensive than in Michigan
- Moving from Michigan to Maryland will cost on average between $1,500 - $6,000
- Our top recommended Michigan to Maryland movers is Pro-Low Moving
Top Michigan to Maryland Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Michigan to Maryland movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Pro-Low Moving
Best moving company overall for Michigan to Maryland

AT Movers

AJ Moving Services LLC
Michigan to Maryland Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Michigan to Maryland
- Long, harsh winters
- Limited seafood options
- Higher unemployment rate
- Milder climate
- Abundance of seafood
- Strong job market
- Less expansive water bodies
- Higher housing costs
- Traffic congestion
- Great Lakes access
- Affordable housing
- Vibrant Detroit scene
Pros of moving from Michigan to Maryland
- Say goodbye to long, harsh winters and hello to a milder climate
- Look forward to moving away from limited seafood options and moving to Maryland with an abundance of seafood
- Swap the higher unemployment rate of Michigan for a strong job market in Maryland
Cons of moving from Michigan to Maryland
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from great Lakes access in Michigan to live with less expansive water bodies in Maryland
- You'll lose out on the pro of affordable housing and have to settle for the con of higher housing costs
- Time to bid farewell to the vibrant Detroit scene and get used to traffic congestion in Maryland
Michigan vs. Maryland: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Michigan | Maryland |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Pasties | Blue Crab |
Most popular meat dish | Coney Dog | Crab Cakes |
Most popular street food item | Detroit-Style Pizza | Soft Shell Crab Sandwich |
Most popular vegan food | Tempeh Reuben | Vegan Crab Cake |
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 Michigan to Maryland, you will be trading the iconic Pasties of Michigan for the equally delicious Blue Crab of Maryland. And while the locals in Michigan rave about their flavorful Coney Dog and sumptuous Detroit-Style Pizza, Maryland residents know they have tasty Crab Cakes and Soft Shell Crab Sandwiches to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Tempeh Reuben they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Vegan Crab Cake of Maryland. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Michigan eateries like Slows Bar BQ, Zingerman's Delicatessen, and Bell's Eccentric CafΓ©. After the boxes are unpacked in Maryland, don't wait too long before making your way to Maryland's acclaimed eateries like Phillips Seafood, Charleston, and Woodberry Kitchen.
When comparing lifestyles, Maryland shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Michigan. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Maryland, compared to what you are used to in Michigan. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Maryland.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Michigan and Maryland
Comparison | Michigan | Maryland |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Lakefront Cottage, Colonial | Colonial, Cape Cod |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Lake access, Spacious yards | Proximity to amenities, Hardwood floors |
- The Lakefront Cottage and Colonial architecture that Michigan is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Cape Cod architecture typical of Maryland.
- Compared to Michigan's real estate listings that commonly reference lake access and spacious yards, Maryland real estate listings often highlight features like proximity to amenities and hardwood floors.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Maryland is more walkable than Michigan.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Maryland is more bike-friendly than Michigan.
- Maryland has more of an urban feel than Michigan.
- Maryland housing costs are 73% more expensive than they are in Michigan, with a median home price of $414,972 compared to Michiganβs $239,770.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Maryland have increased 33% compared to a 45% increase in Michigan.
- Rent in Maryland is 28.62% more expensive than in Michigan.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Michigan and Maryland
Comparison | Michigan | Maryland |
---|---|---|
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 | Snowstorms, Tornadoes | Hurricanes, Flooding |
Air Quality | Good | Varies, urban areas poorer |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 79/58 | 87/66 |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 34/18 | 42/29 |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 30-38 | 40-45 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 60-160 (varies widely) | 20-35 |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Michigan to Maryland. Maryland gets 25% more sunshine days than Michigan.
- Maryland has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Michigan.
- Say goodbye to the possible snowstorms and tornadoes in Michigan, but be on the lookout for potential hurricanes and flooding in Maryland.
- Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Maryland is 8 degrees warmer than in Michigan.
- The average winter lows are 11 degrees warmer than they are in Michigan.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Maryland. Maryland receives 10 more inches of rain compared to Michigan.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Michigan and Maryland
Comparison | Michigan | Maryland |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $66,986 | $94,991 |
Cost of Living Index | 91.2 | 124.95 |
State Income Tax | 4.25% | 2% - 5.75% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.62% | 1.10% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6.00% | 6.00% |
Top 3 Industries | Automotive, Agriculture, Manufacturing | Biotech, Cybersecurity, Healthcare |
Affluence | Moderate | High |
Poverty | Moderate | Low |
Homelessness | Manageable | Low |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Maryland tend to earn about 42% more than in Michigan
- The COLI in Maryland will be 37% higher than what you are used to living in Michigan
- The state income tax in MD is 2% to 5.75% compared to 4.25% in MI
- The affluence in Maryland is high compared to moderate in Michigan
- The poverty level is low in Maryland compared to moderate in Michigan
- In terms of homelessness, it is manageable in Michigan and low in Maryland
Political and Religious Climate in Michigan vs. Maryland
Comparison | Michigan | Maryland |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Swing State, diverse political views | Largely Democratic |
Local Politics | Moderate with both Republican and Democratic strongholds | Democratically dominated in urban areas, mixed in rural |
Religion | Christian (Protestant & Catholic), growing diversity in faith | Christian (Protestant & Catholic), significant Jewish and Muslim communities |
- Michigan tends to lean swing state with diverse political views in its political climate
- Maryland, on the other hand, is often described as largely Democratic
- Maryland's religious environment can be described as Christian (Protestant & Catholic) with significant Jewish and Muslim communities
- Michigan's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Christian (Protestant & Catholic) with growing diversity in faith
Education Guide When Moving from Michigan to Maryland
Comparison | Michigan | Maryland |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Michigan Michigan State University Wayne State University | University of Maryland Johns Hopkins University Towson University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Bates Elementary (Dexter) Musson Elementary (Rochester Hills) Hamilton Elementary (Troy) | Cold Spring Elementary (Potomac) Stone Mill Elementary (North Potomac) Fulton Elementary (Fulton) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Clague Middle School (Ann Arbor) West Middle School (Rochester Hills) Novi Middle School (Novi) | Thomas W. Pyle Middle School (Bethesda) Herbert Hoover Middle School (Potomac) North Bethesda Middle School (Bethesda) |
Top 3 High Schools | International Academy (Bloomfield Hills) Troy High School (Troy) Pioneer High School (Ann Arbor) | Walt Whitman High School (Bethesda) Thomas S. Wootton High School (Rockville) Winston Churchill High School (Potomac) |
Top 3 private high schools | Detroit Country Day School (Beverly Hills) Cranbrook Schools (Bloomfield Hills) Greenhills School (Ann Arbor) | Gilman School (Baltimore) Holton-Arms School (Bethesda) Landon School (Bethesda) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Greenhills School (Ann Arbor) Cranbrook Schools (Bloomfield Hills) Detroit Country Day School (Beverly Hills) | Gilman School (Baltimore) Georgetown Preparatory School (North Bethesda) Sidwell Friends School (Bethesda) |
Top 3 School Districts | Novi Community School District Troy School District Ann Arbor Public Schools | Montgomery County Public Schools Howard County Public School System Frederick County Public Schools |
How Much Do Michigan to Maryland Movers Cost?
Moving 739 miles from Michigan to Maryland 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 | $1,621 | 300 ft3 | $5.40 |
1 Bedroom | $2,410 | 450 ft3 | $5.35 |
2 Bedrooms | $3,979 | 750 ft3 | $5.30 |
3 Bedrooms | $5,780 | 1100 ft3 | $5.25 |
4 Bedrooms | $8,328 | 1600 ft3 | $5.20 |
5+ Bedrooms | $9,279 | 1800 ft3 | $5.15 |