West Virginia to Maryland Moving Guide
Updated June 15, 2025

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
- Lesser job opportunities
- Limited cultural venues
- Rural healthcare
- Far from major cities
- Less public transportation
- Thriving job market
- Rich cultural experiences
- Advanced medical facilities
- Proximity to Washington, D.C.
- Extensive transit options
- Higher living expenses
- Less community feel
- Urban sprawl
- Fast-paced lifestyle
- Less immediate nature access
- 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
Comparison | West Virginia | Maryland |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Pepperoni Roll | Crab Cakes |
Most popular meat dish | Country Ham | Steamed Crabs |
Most popular street food item | Hot Dogs with Slaw | Fish Tacos |
Most popular vegan food | Morel Mushrooms | Vegetable Crab Soup |
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state |
|
|
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 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
Comparison | West Virginia | Maryland |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial, Ranch | Colonial, Contemporary |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Spacious yards, privacy | Proximity 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 Virginiaβs $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
Comparison | West Virginia | 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 | Floods, Landslides | Hurricanes, Floods |
Air Quality | Generally Good | Variable, Urban areas worse |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 85/62 | 87/66 |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 41/21 | 43/29 |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 45 | 40 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 33 | 20 |
- 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
Comparison | West Virginia | Maryland |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $54,329 | $94,991 |
Cost of Living Index | 95 | 124.95 |
State Income Tax | 3-6.5% | 2-5.75% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.60% | 1.10% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6% | 6% |
Top 3 Industries | Mining, Manufacturing, Healthcare | Biotechnology, Manufacturing, Retail |
Affluence | Moderate | High |
Poverty | High | Moderate |
Homelessness | Low | Moderate |
- 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
Comparison | West Virginia | Maryland |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Primarily Republican | Largely Democratic |
Local Politics | Conservative policies | Progressive policies |
Religion | Protestant Christian Majority | Diverse, 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
Comparison | West Virginia | Maryland |
---|---|---|
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 Schools | Sunnyside Elementary (Morgantown) Steenrod Elementary (Wheeling) Woodsdale Elementary (Wheeling) | Fulton Elementary (Fulton) Cold Spring Elementary (Potomac) Stone Mill Elementary (North Potomac) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Winfield 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 Schools | George 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 schools | The 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 schools | Notre 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 Districts | Monongalia 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 SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,388 | 300 ft3 | $4.63 |
1 Bedroom | $2,060 | 450 ft3 | $4.58 |
2 Bedrooms | $3,396 | 750 ft3 | $4.53 |
3 Bedrooms | $4,926 | 1100 ft3 | $4.48 |
4 Bedrooms | $7,085 | 1600 ft3 | $4.43 |
5+ Bedrooms | $7,881 | 1800 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.