New Jersey to Maryland Moving Guide
Updated June 18, 2025

Planning a 175 mile interstate move from New Jersey to Maryland? This moving guide will help you compare living in New Jersey vs Maryland across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high property taxes vs lower property taxes), food & health (like Pork Roll (Taylor Ham) vs Blue Crabs), real estate & housing (victorian, colonial vs colonial, cape cod), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in New Jersey), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Pork Roll (Taylor Ham) and Italian Hot Dog, but get your taste buds ready for Blue Crabs & Crab Cakes
- Maryland housing costs are 19% less expensive than they are in New Jersey
- Rent in Maryland is 23.90% more affordable than in New Jersey
- Moving from New Jersey to Maryland will cost on average between $1,000 - $4,000
- Our top recommended New Jersey to Maryland movers is AT Movers
New Jersey to Maryland Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from New Jersey to Maryland
- High property taxes
- Heavy traffic congestion
- Cold winters
- Cost of living
- Lower property taxes
- Less commuter traffic
- Milder climate
- More affordable living
- Less cultural variety
- Further from NYC
- Limited public transport options
- Less prominent schools
- Cultural diversity
- Proximity to NYC
- Established public transport
- Renowned education
Pros of moving from New Jersey to Maryland
- Say goodbye to high property taxes and hello to lower property taxes
- Look forward to moving away from heavy traffic congestion and moving to Maryland with less commuter traffic
- Swap the cold winters of New Jersey for a milder climate in Maryland
- Get ready for more affordable living in Maryland
Cons of moving from New Jersey to Maryland
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from cultural diversity in New Jersey to live with less cultural variety in Maryland
- You'll lose out on the pro of proximity to NYC and have to settle for the con of being further from NYC
- Time to bid farewell to established public transport and get used to limited public transport options in Maryland
- Swap renowned education for less prominent schools
New Jersey vs. Maryland: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | New Jersey | Maryland |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Pork Roll (Taylor Ham) | Blue Crabs |
Most popular meat dish | Italian Hot Dog | Crab Cakes |
Most popular street food item | Salt Water Taffy | Soft Shell Crab Sandwich |
Most popular vegan food | Vegetable Panini | Black Bean Burger |
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 New Jersey to Maryland, you will be trading the iconic Pork Roll (Taylor Ham) of New Jersey for the equally delicious Blue Crabs of Maryland. And while the locals in New Jersey rave about their flavorful Italian Hot Dog and sumptuous Salt Water Taffy, 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 Vegetable Panini they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Black Bean Burger of Maryland. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic New Jersey eateries like Don's Deli, White House Sub Shop, and Carlo's Bakery. After the boxes are unpacked in Maryland, don't wait too long before making your way to Maryland's acclaimed eateries like Phillips Seafood, Pappas Seafood, and Faidley Seafood.
When comparing lifestyles, Maryland shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than New Jersey. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Maryland compared to what you are used to in New Jersey. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Maryland.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between New Jersey and Maryland
Comparison | New Jersey | Maryland |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Victorian, Colonial | Colonial, Cape Cod |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Close to NYC, spacious backyards | Proximity to water, energy-efficient |
- The Victorian and Colonial architecture that New Jersey is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Cape Cod architecture typical of Maryland.
- Compared to New Jersey's real estate listings that commonly reference proximity to NYC and spacious backyards, Maryland real estate listings often highlight features like proximity to water and energy efficiency.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away; Maryland is less walkable than New Jersey.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike; Maryland is less bike-friendly than New Jersey.
- Maryland has less of an urban feel than New Jersey.
- Maryland housing costs are 19% less expensive than they are in New Jersey, with a median home price of $414,972 compared to New Jerseyβs $512,908.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Maryland have increased by 33% compared to a 50% increase in New Jersey.
- Rent in Maryland is 23.90% more affordable than in New Jersey.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between New Jersey and Maryland
Comparison | New Jersey | 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, Floods | Hurricanes, Floods |
Air Quality | Moderate | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 85/66 | 87/68 |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 40/25 | 42/28 |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 47 | 44 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 23 | 20 |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from New Jersey to Maryland. Maryland gets 3% more sunshine days than New Jersey.
- Maryland has higher humidity and a higher average UV index compared to New Jersey.
- Say goodbye to the possible hurricanes and floods in New Jersey, but be on the lookout for potential hurricanes and floods in Maryland.
- The average summer high temperature in Maryland is 2 degrees warmer than in New Jersey.
- The average winter lows are 3 degrees warmer than they are in New Jersey.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Maryland. Maryland receives 3 fewer inches of rain compared to New Jersey.
Financial & Community Snapshot: New Jersey and Maryland
Comparison | New Jersey | Maryland |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $96,346 | $94,991 |
Cost of Living Index | 129.7 | 124.95 |
State Income Tax | 1.40% - 10.75% | 2.00% - 5.75% |
Avg. Property Tax | 2.42% | 1.06% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6.625% | 6.00% |
Top 3 Industries | Pharmaceuticals, Finance, Telecommunications | Aerospace, Biotechnology, IT Services |
Affluence | Prosperous | Comfortable |
Poverty | Moderate | Low |
Homelessness | Noticeable | Minimal |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Maryland tend to earn about 1% less than in New Jersey
- The COLI in Maryland is 4% lower than what you are used to living in New Jersey
- The state income tax in MD is 2.00% - 5.75% compared to 1.40% - 10.75% in NJ
- The affluence in Maryland is comfortable compared to prosperous in New Jersey
- The poverty level is low in Maryland compared to moderate in New Jersey
- In terms of homelessness, it is noticeable in New Jersey and minimal in Maryland
Political and Religious Climate in New Jersey vs. Maryland
Comparison | New Jersey | Maryland |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Lean Democratic | Lean Democratic |
Local Politics | Diverse with a strong Democratic presence in urban areas | Varies widely, with Democratic strongholds around Baltimore and D.C. suburbs |
Religion | Mixed, with significant Catholic and Jewish communities | Diverse, with a notable Catholic presence |
- New Jersey tends to lean Democratic in its political climate
- Maryland, on the other hand, is often described as leaning Democratic
- Maryland's religious environment can be described as diverse, with a notable Catholic presence
- New Jersey's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as mixed, with significant Catholic and Jewish communities
Education Guide When Moving from New Jersey to Maryland
Comparison | New Jersey | Maryland |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | Rutgers University Princeton University The College of New Jersey | University of Maryland Towson University Johns Hopkins University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Littlebrook Elementary School Princeton Hilldale Elementary School Montville Millburn Elementary School Millburn | Fulton Elementary School Fulton Woodfield Elementary School Damascus Bannockburn Elementary School Bethesda |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Thomas Grover Middle School West Windsor Community Middle School Plainsboro Millburn Middle School Millburn | Eastern Middle School Silver Spring Cabin John Middle School Potomac Folly Quarter Middle School Ellicott City |
Top 3 High Schools | High Technology High School Lincroft Bergen County Academies Hackensack Princeton High School Princeton | Walt Whitman High School Bethesda Winston Churchill High School Potomac Poolesville High School Poolesville |
Top 3 private high schools | The Lawrenceville School Lawrenceville Pingry School Basking Ridge Delbarton School Morristown | Gilman School Baltimore Holton-Arms School Bethesda Landon School Bethesda |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Newark Academy Livingston The Pingry School Basking Ridge Gill St. Bernard's School Gladstone | Sidwell Friends School Washington Bullis School Potomac Georgetown Preparatory School North Bethesda |
Top 3 School Districts | Princeton Public Schools Princeton Millburn Township Schools Millburn Livingston Public Schools Livingston | Howard County Public Schools Ellicott City Montgomery County Public Schools Rockville Frederick County Public Schools Frederick |
How Much Do New Jersey to Maryland Movers Cost?
Moving 175 miles from New Jersey 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: 3-10 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: AT Movers
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,106 | 300 ft3 | $3.69 |
1 Bedroom | $1,641 | 450 ft3 | $3.65 |
2 Bedrooms | $2,702 | 750 ft3 | $3.60 |
3 Bedrooms | $3,917 | 1100 ft3 | $3.56 |
4 Bedrooms | $5,629 | 1600 ft3 | $3.52 |
5+ Bedrooms | $6,256 | 1800 ft3 | $3.48 |
Top New Jersey to Maryland Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best New Jersey to Maryland movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.