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West Virginia to Maryland Moving Guide

Updated June 15, 2025

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Planning a 328 mile interstate move from West Virginia to Maryland? This moving guide will help you compare living in West Virginia vs Maryland across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like lesser job opportunities vs thriving job market), food & health (like Pepperoni Roll vs Crab Cakes), real estate & housing (colonial, ranch vs colonial, contemporary), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Maryland), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Pepperoni Roll and Country Ham, but get your taste buds ready for Crab Cakes & Steamed Crabs
  • Maryland housing costs are 158% more expensive than they are in West Virginia
  • Rent in Maryland is 86.74% more expensive than in West Virginia
  • Moving from West Virginia to Maryland will cost on average between $1,500 - $5,000
  • Our top recommended West Virginia to Maryland movers is AT Movers

West Virginia to Maryland Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from West Virginia to Maryland

ConsWest Virginia iconWest Virginia
  • Lesser job opportunities
  • Limited cultural venues
  • Rural healthcare
  • Far from major cities
  • Less public transportation
ProsMaryland iconMaryland
  • Thriving job market
  • Rich cultural experiences
  • Advanced medical facilities
  • Proximity to Washington, D.C.
  • Extensive transit options

Maryland iconMaryland
  • Higher living expenses
  • Less community feel
  • Urban sprawl
  • Fast-paced lifestyle
  • Less immediate nature access
West Virginia iconWest Virginia
  • Lower cost of living
  • Close-knit communities
  • Beautiful landscapes
  • Slower pace of life
  • Abundant outdoor activities

Pros of moving from West Virginia to Maryland

  • Say goodbye to lesser job opportunities and hello to a thriving job market
  • Look forward to moving away from limited cultural venues and moving to Maryland with rich cultural experiences
  • Swap the rural healthcare of West Virginia for advanced medical facilities in Maryland
  • Get ready for proximity to Washington, D.C. in Maryland

Cons of moving from West Virginia to Maryland

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from a lower cost of living in West Virginia to live with higher living expenses in Maryland
  • You'll lose out on the pro of close-knit communities and have to settle for the con of a less community feel
  • Time to bid farewell to beautiful landscapes and get used to urban sprawl in Maryland
  • Swap a slower pace of life for a fast-paced lifestyle

West Virginia vs. Maryland: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonWest VirginiaMaryland
Most iconic local food itemPepperoni RollCrab Cakes
Most popular meat dishCountry HamSteamed Crabs
Most popular street food itemHot Dogs with SlawFish Tacos
Most popular vegan foodMorel MushroomsVegetable Crab Soup
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Pies & Pints
  • Tudor's Biscuit World
  • Black Bear Burritos
  • Phillips Seafood
  • Bertha's Mussels
  • 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 West Virginia to Maryland, you will be trading the iconic Pepperoni Roll of West Virginia for the equally delicious Crab Cakes of Maryland. And while the locals in West Virginia rave about their flavorful Country Ham and sumptuous Hot Dogs with Slaw, Maryland residents know they have tasty Steamed Crabs and Fish Tacos to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Morel Mushrooms 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 West Virginia eateries like Pies & Pints, Tudor's Biscuit World, and Black Bear Burritos. 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 Woodberry Kitchen.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between West Virginia and Maryland

ComparisonWest VirginiaMaryland
Typical Architecture StyleColonial, RanchColonial, Contemporary
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, privacyProximity to amenities, luxury features
  • The Colonial and Ranch architecture that West Virginia is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Contemporary architecture typical of Maryland.
  • Compared to West Virginia's real estate listings that commonly reference spacious yards and privacy, Maryland real estate listings often highlight features like proximity to amenities and luxury features.
  • Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Maryland is more walkable than West Virginia.
  • Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Maryland is more bike-friendly than West Virginia.
  • Maryland has more of an urban feel than West Virginia.
  • Maryland housing costs are 158% more expensive than they are in West Virginia, with a median home price of $414,972 compared to West Virginia’s $161,063.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Maryland have increased by 33% compared to a 37% increase in West Virginia.
  • Rent in Maryland is 86.74% more expensive than in West Virginia.

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

ComparisonWest VirginiaMaryland
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 DisastersFloods, LandslidesHurricanes, Floods
Air QualityGenerally GoodVariable, Urban areas worse
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)85/6287/66
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)41/2143/29
Annual Rainfall (Inches)4540
Annual Snowfall (Inches)3320
  • Break out the sunglasses for your move from West Virginia to Maryland. Maryland gets 25% more sunshine days than West Virginia.
  • Maryland has higher humidity and a higher average UV index compared to West Virginia.
  • Say goodbye to the possible floods and landslides in West Virginia, 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 West Virginia.
  • The average winter lows are 8 degrees warmer than they are in West Virginia.
  • Your umbrella might be neglected in Maryland. Maryland receives 5 fewer inches of rain compared to West Virginia.

Financial & Community Snapshot: West Virginia and Maryland

ComparisonWest VirginiaMaryland
Avg. Household Income$54,329$94,991
Cost of Living Index95124.95
State Income Tax3-6.5%2-5.75%
Avg. Property Tax0.60%1.10%
Avg. Sales Tax6%6%
Top 3 IndustriesMining, Manufacturing, HealthcareBiotechnology, Manufacturing, Retail
AffluenceModerateHigh
PovertyHighModerate
HomelessnessLowModerate
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Maryland tend to earn about 75% more than in West Virginia
  • The COLI in Maryland is 32% higher than what you are used to living in West Virginia
  • The state income tax in MD is 2-5.75% compared to 3-6.5% in WV
  • The affluence in Maryland is high compared to moderate affluence in West Virginia
  • The poverty level is moderate in Maryland compared to high poverty in West Virginia
  • In terms of homelessness, it is low in West Virginia and moderate in Maryland

Political and Religious Climate in West Virginia vs. Maryland

ComparisonWest VirginiaMaryland
Political Make-upPrimarily RepublicanLargely Democratic
Local PoliticsConservative policiesProgressive policies
ReligionProtestant Christian MajorityDiverse, with higher Catholic population
  • West Virginia tends to lean primarily Republican in its political climate
  • Maryland, on the other hand, is often described as largely Democratic
  • Maryland's religious environment can be described as diverse with a higher Catholic population
  • West Virginia's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as a Protestant Christian majority

Education Guide When Moving from West Virginia to Maryland

ComparisonWest VirginiaMaryland
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)West Virginia University
Marshall University
West Virginia State University
University of Maryland
Johns Hopkins University
Towson University
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsSunnyside Elementary (Morgantown)
Steenrod Elementary (Wheeling)
Woodsdale Elementary (Wheeling)
Fulton Elementary (Fulton)
Cold Spring Elementary (Potomac)
Stone Mill Elementary (North Potomac)
Top 3 Middle SchoolsWinfield Middle (Winfield)
Bridgeport Middle (Bridgeport)
Suncrest Middle (Morgantown)
Eastern Middle (Silver Spring)
Takoma Park Middle (Takoma Park)
Burleigh Manor Middle (Ellicott City)
Top 3 High School SchoolsGeorge Washington High (Charleston)
Bridgeport High (Bridgeport)
Morgantown High (Morgantown)
Walt Whitman High (Bethesda)
Thomas S. Wootton High (Rockville)
Winston Churchill High (Potomac)
Top 3 private high schoolsThe Linsly School (Wheeling)
Wheeling Country Day School (Wheeling)
Greenbrier Episcopal School (Lewisburg)
Gilman School (Baltimore)
Holton-Arms School (Bethesda)
Landon School (Bethesda)
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsNotre Dame High School (Clarksburg)
Parkersburg Catholic High School (Parkersburg)
Trinity Christian School (Morgantown)
Sidwell Friends School (Washington
D.C. area)
Bethesda Chevy Chase Jewish Community School (Rockville)
Friends School of Baltimore (Baltimore)
Top 3 School DistrictsMonongalia County Schools
Ohio County Schools
Harrison County Schools
Montgomery County Public Schools
Howard County Public School System
Anne Arundel County Public Schools

How Much Do West Virginia to Maryland Movers Cost?

Moving 328 miles from West Virginia to Maryland will typically cost between $2,000 and $5,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.

  • Expected Range: $2,000 - $5,000
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-10 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: AT Movers
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,388300 ft3$4.63
1 Bedroom$2,060450 ft3$4.58
2 Bedrooms$3,396750 ft3$4.53
3 Bedrooms$4,9261100 ft3$4.48
4 Bedrooms$7,0851600 ft3$4.43
5+ Bedrooms$7,8811800 ft3$4.38

Top West Virginia to Maryland Movers

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

TOP PICK
AT Movers featured image

AT Movers

Best moving company overall for West Virginia to Maryland

9.65/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
AJ Moving Services LLC featured image

AJ Moving Services LLC

9.57/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
Country Roads Moving LLC featured image

Country Roads Moving LLC

9.26/10
ExceptionalView details
Top West Virginia to Maryland Routes

Charleston to Maryland