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Pennsylvania to Maryland Moving Guide

Updated June 9, 2025

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Planning a 200 mile interstate move from Pennsylvania to Maryland? This moving guide will help you compare living in Pennsylvania vs Maryland across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high property taxes vs lower property taxes), food & health (like Philly Cheesesteak vs Crab Cakes), real estate & housing (colonial, dutch vs colonial, victorian), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Maryland), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Philly Cheesesteak and Pork and Sauerkraut, but get your taste buds ready for Crab Cakes & Pit Beef
  • Maryland housing costs are 59% more expensive than they are in Pennsylvania
  • Rent in Maryland is 25.73% more expensive than in Pennsylvania
  • Moving from Pennsylvania to Maryland will cost on average between $1,000 - $4,000
  • Our top recommended Pennsylvania to Maryland movers is AT Movers

Pennsylvania to Maryland Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Pennsylvania to Maryland

ConsPennsylvania iconPennsylvania
  • High property taxes
  • Cold winters
  • Urban sprawl
ProsMaryland iconMaryland
  • Lower property taxes
  • Milder climate
  • Compact cities

Maryland iconMaryland
  • Higher cost of living
  • Heavy traffic
  • Limited public transit
Pennsylvania iconPennsylvania
  • Affordable housing
  • Beautiful countryside
  • Historic cities

Pros of moving from Pennsylvania to Maryland

  • Say goodbye to high property taxes and hello to lower property taxes
  • Look forward to moving away from cold winters and moving to Maryland with a milder climate
  • Swap the urban sprawl of Pennsylvania for compact cities in Maryland

Cons of moving from Pennsylvania to Maryland

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from affordable housing in Pennsylvania to live with a higher cost of living in Maryland
  • You'll lose out on the pro of beautiful countryside and have to settle with the con of heavy traffic
  • Time to bid farewell to historic cities and get used to limited public transit in Maryland

Pennsylvania vs. Maryland: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonPennsylvaniaMaryland
Most iconic local food itemPhilly CheesesteakCrab Cakes
Most popular meat dishPork and SauerkrautPit Beef
Most popular street food itemPretzelsSeafood Boils
Most popular vegan foodMushroom SoupVegan Crab Cakes
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Geno's Steaks
  • Zahav
  • Reading Terminal Market
  • Phillips Seafood
  • Charm City Cakes
  • Lexington Market
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 Pennsylvania to Maryland, you will be trading the iconic Philly Cheesesteak of Pennsylvania for the equally delicious Crab Cakes of Maryland. And while the locals in Pennsylvania rave about their flavorful Pork and Sauerkraut and sumptuous Pretzels, Maryland residents know they have tasty Pit Beef and Seafood Boils to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Mushroom Soup they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Vegan Crab Cakes of Maryland. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Pennsylvania eateries like Geno's Steaks, Zahav, and Reading Terminal Market. 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 Lexington Market.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Pennsylvania and Maryland

ComparisonPennsylvaniaMaryland
Typical Architecture StyleColonial, DutchColonial, Victorian
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 listingSpacious yards, historic detailsWaterfront views, modern amenities
  • The Colonial and Dutch architecture that Pennsylvania is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Victorian architecture typical of Maryland.
  • Compared to Pennsylvania's real estate listings that commonly reference spacious yards and historic details, Maryland real estate listings often highlight features like waterfront views and modern amenities.
  • Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Maryland is more walkable than Pennsylvania.
  • Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Maryland is more bike-friendly than Pennsylvania.
  • Maryland has more of an urban feel than Pennsylvania.
  • Maryland housing costs are 59% more expensive than they are in Pennsylvania, with a median home price of $414,972 compared to Pennsylvania’s $261,312.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Maryland have increased by 33% compared to a 43% increase in Pennsylvania.
  • Rent in Maryland is 25.73% more expensive than in Pennsylvania.

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

ComparisonPennsylvaniaMaryland
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 DisastersSnowstorms, FloodsHurricanes, Floods
Air QualityModerateModerate
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)85/6287/66
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)33/1841/24
Annual Rainfall (Inches)4244
Annual Snowfall (Inches)3820
  • Break out the sunglasses for your move from Pennsylvania to Maryland. Maryland gets 19% more sunshine days than Pennsylvania.
  • Maryland has higher humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Pennsylvania.
  • Say goodbye to the possible snowstorms and floods in Pennsylvania, 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 Pennsylvania.
  • The average winter lows are 6 degrees warmer than they are in Pennsylvania.
  • Your umbrella might be more overworked in Maryland. Maryland receives 2 more inches of rain compared to Pennsylvania.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Pennsylvania and Maryland

ComparisonPennsylvaniaMaryland
Avg. Household Income$71,798$94,991
Cost of Living Index99.7124.95
State Income Tax3.07% flat2% - 5.75% progressive
Avg. Property Tax1.58%1.10%
Avg. Sales Tax6.34%6.00%
Top 3 IndustriesHealthcare, Manufacturing, RetailIT, Healthcare, Biotechnology
AffluenceModerateHigh
PovertyModerateLow
HomelessnessIncreasingStable
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Maryland tend to earn about 32% more than in Pennsylvania
  • The COLI in Maryland will be 25% higher than what you are used to living in Pennsylvania
  • The state income tax in MD is 2% - 5.75% progressive compared to 3.07% flat in PA
  • The affluence in Maryland is high compared to moderate affluence in Pennsylvania
  • The poverty level is low in Maryland compared to moderate poverty in Pennsylvania
  • In terms of homelessness, it is increasing in Pennsylvania and stable in Maryland

Political and Religious Climate in Pennsylvania vs. Maryland

ComparisonPennsylvaniaMaryland
Political Make-upMixed, with both Democratic and Republican strongholdsLargely Democratic, especially in urban areas
Local PoliticsVaries widely from area to areaGenerally progressive, with active local governance
ReligionDiverse, with strong Catholic and Protestant communitiesDiverse, with a significant Catholic presence and a variety of other faiths
  • Pennsylvania tends to lean mixed, with both Democratic and Republican strongholds in its political climate
  • Maryland, on the other hand, is often described as largely Democratic, especially in urban areas
  • Maryland's religious environment can be described as diverse, with a significant Catholic presence and a variety of other faiths
  • Pennsylvania's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as diverse, with strong Catholic and Protestant communities

Education Guide When Moving from Pennsylvania to Maryland

ComparisonPennsylvaniaMaryland
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)Penn State University
University of Pennsylvania
Carnegie Mellon University
University of Maryland
Johns Hopkins University
Towson University
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsFranklin Elementary School (Pittsburgh)
Whitemarsh Elementary (Conshohocken)
Harding Elementary (Erie)
Cold Spring Elementary (Potomac)
Stone Mill Elementary (North Potomac)
Shipley's Choice Elementary (Millersville)
Top 3 Middle SchoolsJulia R. Masterman Secondary School (Philadelphia)
Thomas Jefferson Middle School (Pittsburgh)
Radnor Middle School (Radnor)
Eastern Middle School (Silver Spring)
Takoma Park Middle School (Takoma Park)
Burleigh Manor Middle School (Ellicott City)
Top 3 High SchoolsJulia R. Masterman Secondary School (Philadelphia)
Conestoga Senior High School (Berwyn)
Central High School (Philadelphia)
Walt Whitman High School (Bethesda)
Winston Churchill High School (Potomac)
Thomas S. Wootton High School (Rockville)
Top 3 private high schoolsThe Haverford School (Haverford)
The Baldwin School (Bryn Mawr)
Malvern Preparatory School (Malvern)
Gilman School (Baltimore)
Holton-Arms School (Bethesda)
Landon School (Bethesda)
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsThe Agnes Irwin School (Rosemont)
Friends' Central School (Wynnewood)
Germantown Friends School (Philadelphia)
Sidwell Friends School (Bethesda)
The Bryn Mawr School (Baltimore)
Georgetown Preparatory School (North Bethesda)
Top 3 School DistrictsTredyffrin-Easttown School District
Radnor Township School District
Lower Merion School District
Howard County Public Schools
Montgomery County Public Schools
Frederick County Public Schools

How Much Do Pennsylvania to Maryland Movers Cost?

Moving 200 miles from Pennsylvania 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 - $4,000
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-7 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: AT Movers
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,118300 ft3$3.73
1 Bedroom$1,659450 ft3$3.69
2 Bedrooms$2,732750 ft3$3.64
3 Bedrooms$3,9611100 ft3$3.60
4 Bedrooms$5,6931600 ft3$3.56
5+ Bedrooms$6,3281800 ft3$3.52

Top Pennsylvania to Maryland Movers

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

TOP PICK
AT Movers featured image

AT Movers

Best moving company overall for Pennsylvania to Maryland

9.65/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
Pittsburgh Moving featured image

Pittsburgh Moving

9.63/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
AJ Moving Services LLC featured image

AJ Moving Services LLC

9.57/10
ExceptionalView details

Philadelphia to Maryland

Pittsburgh to Maryland