North Carolina to Maryland Moving Guide
Updated June 6, 2025

Planning a 315 mile interstate move from North Carolina to Maryland? This moving guide will help you compare living in North Carolina vs Maryland across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like hurricane risks vs milder winter weather), food & health (like Pulled pork BBQ vs Crab cakes), real estate & housing (craftsman, colonial revival 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 Pulled pork BBQ and Eastern NC barbecue, but get your taste buds ready for Crab cakes & Fried Chicken
- Maryland housing costs are 26% more expensive than they are in North Carolina
- Rent in Maryland is 7.71% more expensive than in North Carolina
- Moving from North Carolina to Maryland will cost on average between $1,000 - $4,000
- Our top recommended North Carolina to Maryland movers is AT Movers
North Carolina to Maryland Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from North Carolina to Maryland
- Hurricane risks
- Less robust public transport
- Limited job diversity
- Fewer cultural events
- Milder winter weather
- Better public transit
- Diverse job market
- Rich cultural scene
- Higher cost of living
- Colder winters
- Higher population density
- Terse interactions
- Lower cost of living
- Warm climate
- Spacious neighborhoods
- Southern hospitality
Pros of moving from North Carolina to Maryland
- Say goodbye to hurricane risks and hello to milder winter weather
- Look forward to moving away from less robust public transport and moving to Maryland with better public transit
- Swap the limited job diversity of North Carolina for a diverse job market in Maryland
- Get ready for a rich cultural scene in Maryland
Cons of moving from North Carolina to Maryland
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from a lower cost of living in North Carolina to live with a higher cost of living in Maryland
- You'll lose out on the pro of a warm climate and have to settle with the con of colder winters
- Time to bid farewell to spacious neighborhoods and get used to a higher population density in Maryland
- Swap southern hospitality for terse interactions
North Carolina vs. Maryland: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | North Carolina | Maryland |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Pulled pork BBQ | Crab cakes |
Most popular meat dish | Eastern NC barbecue | Fried Chicken |
Most popular street food item | Boiled peanuts | Soft-shell crab sandwich |
Most popular vegan food | Collard greens | Vegetable crab soup |
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state |
|
|
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 North Carolina to Maryland, you will be trading the iconic Pulled Pork BBQ of North Carolina for the equally delicious Crab Cakes of Maryland. And while the locals in North Carolina rave about their flavorful Eastern NC barbecue and sumptuous Boiled Peanuts, Maryland residents know they have tasty Fried Chicken and Soft-shell Crab Sandwich to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Collard Greens they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Vegetable Crab Soup of Maryland. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic North Carolina eateries like Lexington Barbecue, Buxton Hall Barbecue, and Chef & the Farmer. After the boxes are unpacked in Maryland, don't wait too long before making your way to Maryland's acclaimed eateries like Phillips Seafood, Charm City Cakes, and Bertha's Mussels.
When comparing lifestyles, Maryland shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than North Carolina. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Maryland compared to what you are used to in North Carolina. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Maryland.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between North Carolina and Maryland
Comparison | North Carolina | Maryland |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Craftsman, Colonial Revival | Colonial, Cape Cod |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Open floor plans, hardwood floors | Waterfront views, eco-friendly features |
- The Craftsman and Colonial Revival architecture that North Carolina is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Cape Cod architecture typical of Maryland.
- Compared to North Carolina's real estate listings that commonly reference open floor plans and hardwood floors, Maryland real estate listings often highlight features like waterfront views and eco-friendly aspects.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Maryland is more walkable than North Carolina.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Maryland is more bike-friendly than North Carolina.
- Maryland has more of an urban feel than North Carolina.
- Maryland housing costs are 26% more expensive than they are in North Carolina, with a median home price of $414,972 compared to North Carolinaβs $329,225.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Maryland have increased by 33% compared to a 63% increase in North Carolina.
- Rent in Maryland is 7.71% more expensive than in North Carolina.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between North Carolina and Maryland
Comparison | North Carolina | 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 | Hurricanes, Tornados | Hurricanes, Snowstorms |
Air Quality | Good to Moderate | Good to Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 86/65 | 85/66 |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 50/30 | 42/29 |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 50 | 44 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 4 | 20.5 |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from North Carolina to Maryland. Maryland gets 5% fewer sunshine days than North Carolina.
- Maryland has lower humidity and a similar average UV index compared to North Carolina.
- Say goodbye to the possible hurricanes and tornadoes in North Carolina, but be on the lookout for potential hurricanes and snowstorms in Maryland.
- The average summer high temperature in Maryland is 1 degree colder than in North Carolina.
- The average winter lows are 1 degree colder than they are in North Carolina.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Maryland. Maryland receives 6 fewer inches of rain compared to North Carolina.
Financial & Community Snapshot: North Carolina and Maryland
Comparison | North Carolina | Maryland |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $67,481 | $94,991 |
Cost of Living Index | 95.85 | 124.95 |
State Income Tax | 5.25% | 5.75% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.82% | 1.10% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6.98% | 6.00% |
Top 3 Industries | Technology, Agriculture, Furniture | Healthcare, Public Administration, Finance |
Affluence | Growing | High |
Poverty | Moderate | Low |
Homelessness | Concern | Manageable |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Maryland tend to earn about 41% more than those in North Carolina
- The COLI in Maryland is 30% higher than what you are used to living in North Carolina
- The state income tax in MD is 5.75% compared to 5.25% in NC
- The affluence in Maryland is high compared to growing affluence in North Carolina
- The poverty level is low in Maryland compared to moderate poverty in North Carolina
- In terms of homelessness, it is a concern in North Carolina and manageable in Maryland
Political and Religious Climate in North Carolina vs. Maryland
Comparison | North Carolina | Maryland |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Moderate, leaning slightly conservative | Liberal, especially in urban areas |
Local Politics | Focus on business and education reforms | Emphasis on environmental and healthcare policies |
Religion | Primarily Christian, strong Baptist presence | Religiously diverse, significant Catholic presence |
- North Carolina tends to lean moderate, leaning slightly conservative in its political climate
- Maryland, on the other hand, is often described as liberal, especially in urban areas
- Maryland's religious environment can be described as religiously diverse with a significant Catholic presence
- North Carolina's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as primarily Christian with a strong Baptist presence
Education Guide When Moving from North Carolina to Maryland
Comparison | North Carolina | Maryland |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill North Carolina State University Duke University | University of Maryland College Park Johns Hopkins University Towson University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Glenwood Elementary School (Chapel Hill) Metrolina Regional Scholars' Academy (Charlotte) Endhaven Elementary School (Charlotte) | Stone Mill Elementary School (North Potomac) Cold Spring Elementary School (Potomac) Fulton Elementary School (Fulton) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Metrolina Regional Scholars' Academy (Charlotte) Jay M. Robinson Middle School (Charlotte) Smith Middle School (Chapel Hill) | Thomas W. Pyle Middle School (Bethesda) Herbert Hoover Middle School (Potomac) Cabin John Middle School (Potomac) |
Top 3 High School Schools | North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics (Durham) Raleigh Charter High School (Raleigh) Phillips Academy (Greensboro) | Poolesville High School (Poolesville) Walt Whitman High School (Bethesda) Thomas S. Wootton High School (Rockville) |
Top 3 private high schools | Durham Academy (Durham) Charlotte Country Day School (Charlotte) Ravenscroft School (Raleigh) | Gilman School (Baltimore) Holton-Arms School (Bethesda) McDonogh School (Owings Mills) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Cary Academy (Cary) Charlotte Latin School (Charlotte) Durham Academy (Durham) | Sidwell Friends School (Bethesda) Georgetown Preparatory School (North Bethesda) Gilman School (Baltimore) |
Top 3 School Districts | Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Wake County Public School System | Montgomery County Public Schools Howard County Public School System Anne Arundel County Public Schools |
How Much Do North Carolina to Maryland Movers Cost?
Moving 315 miles from North Carolina to Maryland 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 North Carolina to Maryland Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best North Carolina to Maryland movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.