Wisconsin to Maryland Moving Guide
Updated June 13, 2025

Planning a 885 mile interstate move from Wisconsin to Maryland? This moving guide will help you compare living in Wisconsin vs Maryland across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like harsh winters vs milder winters), food & health (like Cheese Curds vs Crab Cakes), real estate & housing (cape cod, ranch vs colonial, craftsman), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Maryland), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Cheese Curds and Bratwurst, but get your taste buds ready for Crab Cakes & Pit Beef
- Maryland housing costs are 41% more expensive than they are in Wisconsin
- Rent in Maryland is 49.22% more expensive than in Wisconsin
- Moving from Wisconsin to Maryland will cost on average between $1,500 - $6,000
- Our top recommended Wisconsin to Maryland movers is AT Movers
Wisconsin to Maryland Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Wisconsin to Maryland
- Harsh winters
- Limited coastline
- Rural isolation
- Milder winters
- Chesapeake Bay access
- Proximity to D.C.
- Higher cost of living
- Fast-paced lifestyle
- Traffic congestion
- Lower cost of living
- Friendly locals
- Serene landscapes
Pros of moving from Wisconsin to Maryland
- Say goodbye to harsh winters and hello to milder winters
- Look forward to moving away from limited coastline and moving to Maryland with Chesapeake Bay access
- Swap the rural isolation of Wisconsin for proximity to D.C. in Maryland
Cons of moving from Wisconsin to Maryland
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the lower cost of living in Wisconsin to live with a higher cost of living in Maryland
- You'll lose out on the pro of friendly locals and have to settle for the con of a fast-paced lifestyle
- Time to bid farewell to serene landscapes and get used to traffic congestion in Maryland
Wisconsin vs. Maryland: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Wisconsin | Maryland |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Cheese Curds | Crab Cakes |
Most popular meat dish | Bratwurst | Pit Beef |
Most popular street food item | Fried Cheese Curds | Soft Shell Crab Sandwich |
Most popular vegan food | Beer-Battered Cauliflower | 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 Wisconsin to Maryland, you will be trading the iconic Cheese Curds of Wisconsin for the equally delicious Crab Cakes of Maryland. And while the locals in Wisconsin rave about their flavorful Bratwurst and sumptuous Fried Cheese Curds, Maryland residents know they have tasty Pit Beef and Soft Shell Crab Sandwich to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Beer-Battered Cauliflower 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 Wisconsin eateries like The Old Fashioned, Mader's, and Lake Park Bistro. After the boxes are unpacked in Maryland, don't wait too long before making your way to Maryland's acclaimed eateries like Phillips Seafood, Bertha's Mussels, and Charm City Cakes.
When comparing lifestyles, Maryland shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Wisconsin. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Maryland compared to what you are used to in Wisconsin. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Maryland.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Wisconsin and Maryland
Comparison | Wisconsin | Maryland |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Cape Cod, Ranch | Colonial, Craftsman |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Lake access, Spacious yards | Proximity to water, Community amenities |
- The Cape Cod and Ranch architecture that Wisconsin is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Craftsman architecture typical of Maryland.
- Compared to Wisconsin's real estate listings that commonly reference lake access and spacious yards, Maryland real estate listings often highlight features like proximity to water and community amenities.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes; Maryland is more walkable than Wisconsin.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike; Maryland is more bike-friendly than Wisconsin.
- Maryland has more of an urban feel than Wisconsin.
- Maryland housing costs are 41% more expensive than they are in Wisconsin, with a median home price of $414,972 compared to Wisconsinβs $294,909.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Maryland have increased 33% compared to a 47% increase in Wisconsin.
- Rent in Maryland is 49.22% more expensive than in Wisconsin.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Wisconsin and Maryland
Comparison | Wisconsin | 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, Cold Snaps | Hurricanes, Flooding |
Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 82Β°F / 62Β°F | 87Β°F / 66Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 28Β°F / 13Β°F | 43Β°F / 29Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 32 | 44 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 48 | 20 |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Wisconsin to Maryland. Maryland gets 13% more sunshine days than Wisconsin.
- Maryland has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Wisconsin.
- Say goodbye to the possible snowstorms and cold snaps in Wisconsin, 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 5 degrees warmer than in Wisconsin.
- The average winter lows are 16 degrees warmer than they are in Wisconsin.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Maryland. Maryland receives 12 more inches of rain compared to Wisconsin.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Wisconsin and Maryland
Comparison | Wisconsin | Maryland |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $70,996 | $94,991 |
Cost of Living Index | 95.65 | 124.95 |
State Income Tax | 3.54% - 7.65% | 2% - 5.75% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.68% | 1.10% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 5.43% | 6.00% |
Top 3 Industries | Manufacturing, Agriculture, Tourism | Biotechnology, Cybersecurity, Healthcare |
Affluence | Moderate | High |
Poverty | Low-Moderate | Low |
Homelessness | Low | Moderate |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Maryland tend to earn about 34% more than in Wisconsin
- The COLI in Maryland will be 31% higher than what you are used to living in Wisconsin
- The state income tax in MD is 2% - 5.75% compared to 3.54% - 7.65% in WI
- The affluence in Maryland is high compared to moderate in Wisconsin
- The poverty level is low in Maryland compared to low-moderate in Wisconsin
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in Wisconsin and moderate in Maryland
Political and Religious Climate in Wisconsin vs. Maryland
Comparison | Wisconsin | Maryland |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Battleground state with a mix of Republican and Democratic support | Largely Democratic, particularly in urban areas like Baltimore and Maryland's portion of the Washington, D.C. metro area |
Local Politics | Local policies and governance can vary significantly between rural and urban areas | Urban areas tend to have more progressive policies, while rural regions can lean more conservative |
Religion | Christianity is predominant, with a mix of Lutheran and Catholic strongholds | Christianity is also predominant, but with a higher percentage of Catholic residents |
- Wisconsin tends to lean a battleground state with a mix of Republican and Democratic support in its political climate
- Maryland, on the other hand, is often described as largely Democratic, particularly in urban areas like Baltimore and Maryland's portion of the Washington, D.C. metro area
- Maryland's religious environment can be described as Christianity, which is also predominant, but with a higher percentage of Catholic residents
- Wisconsin's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Christianity, which is predominant, with a mix of Lutheran and Catholic strongholds
Education Guide When Moving from Wisconsin to Maryland
Comparison | Wisconsin | Maryland |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Wisconsin-Madison Marquette University University of Wisconsin-La Crosse | University of Maryland-College Park Towson University Johns Hopkins University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Swan School (Madison) Elm Lawn Elementary (Middleton) Lake View Elementary (Madison) | Cold Spring Elementary (Potomac) Folger McKinsey Elementary (Severna Park) Stone Mill Elementary (North Potomac) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Whitefish Bay Middle (Whitefish Bay) Lake Shore Middle (Mequon) Glacier Creek Middle (Cross Plains) | Thomas W. Pyle Middle School (Bethesda) Herbert Hoover Middle (Potomac) Cabin John Middle School (Potomac) |
Top 3 High School Schools | Brookfield East High (Brookfield) Whitefish Bay High (Whitefish Bay) Cedarburg High (Cedarburg) | Winston Churchill High (Potomac) Walt Whitman High (Bethesda) Thomas S. Wootton High (Rockville) |
Top 3 private high schools | University School of Milwaukee (Milwaukee) Marquette University High School (Milwaukee) Wayland Academy (Beaver Dam) | Gilman School (Baltimore) Holton-Arms School (Bethesda) McDonogh School (Owings Mills) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | University Lake School (Hartland) The Prairie School (Racine) Brookfield Academy (Brookfield) | Sidwell Friends School (Bethesda) Sandy Spring Friends School (Sandy Spring) Friends School of Baltimore (Baltimore) |
Top 3 School Districts | Elmbrook School District Whitefish Bay School District Shorewood School District | Maryland School District Montgomery County Public Schools Howard County Public School System |
How Much Do Wisconsin to Maryland Movers Cost?
Moving 885 miles from Wisconsin 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 | $1,704 | 300 ft3 | $5.68 |
1 Bedroom | $2,534 | 450 ft3 | $5.63 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,186 | 750 ft3 | $5.58 |
3 Bedrooms | $6,084 | 1100 ft3 | $5.53 |
4 Bedrooms | $8,769 | 1600 ft3 | $5.48 |
5+ Bedrooms | $9,775 | 1800 ft3 | $5.43 |
Top Wisconsin to Maryland Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Wisconsin to Maryland movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.