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Virginia to Maryland Moving Guide

Updated June 9, 2025

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Planning a 213 mile interstate move from Virginia to Maryland? This moving guide will help you compare living in Virginia vs Maryland across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like higher taxes vs better schools), food & health (like Virginia Ham vs Blue Crab), real estate & housing (colonial, cape cod vs colonial, ranch), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Maryland), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Virginia Ham and Barbecue, but get your taste buds ready for Blue Crab & Crab Cakes
  • Maryland housing costs are 8% more expensive than they are in Virginia
  • Rent in Maryland is 1.93% more expensive than in Virginia
  • Moving from Virginia to Maryland will cost on average between $1,000 - $4,000
  • Our top recommended Virginia to Maryland movers is AT Movers

Virginia to Maryland Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Virginia to Maryland

ConsVirginia iconVirginia
  • Higher taxes
  • Traffic congestion
  • Hurricane risk
  • Limited public transport
ProsMaryland iconMaryland
  • Better schools
  • Proximity to coast
  • Rich history
  • Robust job market

Maryland iconMaryland
  • Higher cost of living
  • Dense urban areas
  • More crowded
  • Less land space
Virginia iconVirginia
  • Mild winters
  • Historical sites
  • Beautiful landscapes
  • Southern charm

Pros of moving from Virginia to Maryland

  • Say goodbye to higher taxes and hello to better schools
  • Look forward to moving away from traffic congestion and moving to Maryland with proximity to the coast
  • Swap the hurricane risk of Virginia for rich history in Maryland
  • Get ready for a robust job market in Maryland

Cons of moving from Virginia to Maryland

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from mild winters in Virginia to live with a higher cost of living in Maryland
  • You'll lose out on the pro of historical sites and have to settle with the con of dense urban areas
  • Time to bid farewell to beautiful landscapes and get used to more crowded living in Maryland
  • Swap southern charm for less land space

Virginia vs. Maryland: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonVirginiaMaryland
Most iconic local food itemVirginia HamBlue Crab
Most popular meat dishBarbecueCrab Cakes
Most popular street food itemFood TrucksPit Beef Sandwich
Most popular vegan foodAvocado ToastVegan Crab Cake
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • The Inn at Little Washington
  • Leesburg Public House
  • Mama J's Kitchen
  • Phillips Seafood
  • Charm City Cakes
  • Woodberry Kitchen
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 Virginia to Maryland, you will be trading the iconic Virginia Ham of Virginia for the equally delicious Blue Crab of Maryland. And while the locals in Virginia rave about their flavorful Barbecue and sumptuous Food Trucks, Maryland residents know they have tasty Crab Cakes and Pit Beef Sandwich 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 Crab Cake of Maryland. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Virginia eateries like The Inn at Little Washington, Leesburg Public House, and Mama J's Kitchen. 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 Woodberry Kitchen.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Virginia and Maryland

ComparisonVirginiaMaryland
Typical Architecture StyleColonial, Cape CodColonial, Ranch
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 listingHardwood floors, Open floor plansEnergy efficiency, Waterfront views
  • The Colonial and Cape Cod architecture that Virginia is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Ranch architecture typical of Maryland.
  • Compared to Virginia's real estate listings that commonly reference hardwood floors and open floor plans, Maryland real estate listings often highlight features like energy efficiency and waterfront views.
  • Make sure you unpack those walking shoes; Maryland is more walkable than Virginia.
  • Make sure the movers take care of your bike; Maryland is more bike-friendly than Virginia.
  • Maryland has more of an urban feel than Virginia.
  • Maryland housing costs are 8% more expensive than they are in Virginia, with a median home price of $414,972 compared to Virginia’s $385,780.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Maryland have increased by 33% compared to a 42% increase in Virginia.
  • Rent in Maryland is 1.93% more expensive than in Virginia.

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

ComparisonVirginiaMaryland
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 DisastersHurricanes, floodsHurricanes, floods, Nor'easters
Air QualityGoodModerate
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)87Β°F / 66Β°F85Β°F / 67Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)47Β°F / 27Β°F42Β°F / 29Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)44"41"
Annual Snowfall (Inches)20"22"
  • Break out the sunglasses for your move from Virginia to Maryland. Maryland gets 4% more sunshine days than Virginia.
  • Maryland has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Virginia.
  • Say goodbye to the possible hurricanes and floods in Virginia, but be on the lookout for potential hurricanes, floods, and nor'easters in Maryland.
  • The average summer high temperature in Maryland is 2 degrees colder than in Virginia.
  • The average winter lows are 2 degrees warmer than they are in Virginia.
  • Your umbrella might be neglected in Maryland. Maryland receives 3 fewer inches of rain compared to Virginia.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Virginia and Maryland

ComparisonVirginiaMaryland
Avg. Household Income$85,873$94,991
Cost of Living Index96.6124.95
State Income Tax2% to 5.75%2% to 5.75%
Avg. Property Tax0.80%1.10%
Avg. Sales Tax5.3%6.0%
Top 3 IndustriesDefense, Tech, AgricultureHealthcare, Retail, Education
AffluenceModerateHigh
PovertyLowModerate
HomelessnessLowModerate
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Maryland tend to earn about 11% more than those in Virginia
  • The COLI in Maryland will be 29% higher than what you are used to living in Virginia
  • There's no change in state income tax between Virginia and Maryland
  • The affluence in Maryland is high compared to moderate in Virginia
  • The poverty level is moderate in Maryland compared to low in Virginia
  • In terms of homelessness, it is low in Virginia and moderate in Maryland

Political and Religious Climate in Virginia vs. Maryland

ComparisonVirginiaMaryland
Political Make-upMixed, with both Republican and Democratic strongholdsLeans Democratic, especially in urban areas
Local PoliticsDiverse; varies from liberal urban areas to conservative rural regionsGenerally liberal, with strong Democratic governance in cities
ReligionChristianity predominant, with a notable presence of other faithsChristianity dominant, diverse religious communities in urban centers
  • Virginia tends to lean mixed, with both Republican and Democratic strongholds in its political climate
  • Maryland, on the other hand, is often described as leaning Democratic, especially in urban areas
  • Maryland's religious environment can be described as Christianity dominant, with diverse religious communities in urban centers
  • Virginia's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Christianity predominant, with a notable presence of other faiths

Education Guide When Moving from Virginia to Maryland

ComparisonVirginiaMaryland
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)University of Virginia
Virginia Tech
William & Mary
University of Maryland
Johns Hopkins University
Towson University
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsArlington Science Focus (Arlington)
Jamestown Elementary (Arlington)
Nottingham Elementary (Arlington)
Fulton Elementary (Fulton)
Bannockburn Elementary (Bethesda)
Stone Mill Elementary (North Potomac)
Top 3 Middle SchoolsLongfellow Middle (Falls Church)
Cooper Middle (McLean)
Frost Middle (Fairfax)
Thomas W. Pyle Middle (Bethesda)
Herbert Hoover Middle (Potomac)
Cabin John Middle (Potomac)
Top 3 High School SchoolsThomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (Alexandria)
McLean High (McLean)
Langley High (McLean)
Walt Whitman High (Bethesda)
Winston Churchill High (Potomac)
Walter Johnson High (Bethesda)
Top 3 private high schoolsThomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (Alexandria)
McLean High (McLean)
Langley High (McLean)
Gilman School (Baltimore)
Holton-Arms School (Bethesda)
Landon School (Bethesda)
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsThe Potomac School (McLean)
Flint Hill School (Oakton)
Madeira School (McLean)
Sidwell Friends School (Washington
D.C.)
Georgetown Preparatory School (North Bethesda)
Gilman School (Baltimore)
Top 3 School DistrictsFairfax County Public Schools
Loudoun County Public Schools
Arlington Public Schools
Montgomery County Public Schools
Howard County Public School System
Anne Arundel County Public Schools

How Much Do Virginia to Maryland Movers Cost?

Moving 213 miles from Virginia 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 - $4,000
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-7 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Estes SureMove
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,125300 ft3$3.75
1 Bedroom$1,668450 ft3$3.71
2 Bedrooms$2,748750 ft3$3.66
3 Bedrooms$3,9841100 ft3$3.62
4 Bedrooms$5,7271600 ft3$3.58
5+ Bedrooms$6,3661800 ft3$3.54

Top Virginia to Maryland Movers

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

TOP PICK
AT Movers featured image

AT Movers

Best moving company overall for Virginia to Maryland

9.65/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
ARS Movers featured image

ARS Movers

9.64/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
A Change of Place Movers

A Change of Place Movers

9.59/10
ExceptionalView details

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