Moving to Maryland: Pros and Cons in 2025
If you’re thinking about moving to Maryland, you’re not alone. The Old Line State attracts newcomers for good reason! With bustling metropolitan areas like Washington DC and quiet rural towns, there’s a place to match your desired pace of life.
As much as there is to love about Maryland, it’s smart to weigh the good and the not-so-good before you buy a new home and pack up your belongings.
Here, we’ll walk you through what you need to know about moving to Maryland to help you decide if it’s the right fit for you.
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Pros & cons of living in Maryland
Moving to Maryland has its perks, but it also comes with a few challenges you’ll want to keep in mind.
Check out some of the main upsides and downsides of living in the Old Line State so you can decide if it’s the right fit for you.
Pros of living in Maryland
- ✓Delicious food
- ✓Ample economic opportunity
- ✓Diverse outdoor activities
- ✓Beautiful coastline
- ✓Rich history
Cons of living in Maryland
- ✖High cost of living
- ✖Bad traffic
- ✖High crime
- ✖High homelessness
- ✖Peculiar alcohol laws
Things to do in Maryland
Whether you’re moving to Maryland for work, family, or simply a fresh start, there’s so much to explore once you arrive. From vibrant attractions to hidden gems, Maryland offers something for everyone, making it easy to find your next adventure.
If you’re planning a family adventure or going out solo and hoping to make new friends, these spots have you covered. With such a wide variety, you’re bound to find a place that fits your vibe and instantly feels welcoming.
Popular Attractions in Maryland
- Baltimore Inner Harbor
- Deep Creek Lake Area
- Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park
- Ocean City Boardwalk
- Six Flags America
- Assateague State Park
- Brookside Gardens
- Fort McHenry National Monument
- Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Museum
- Strathmore Music Center
Museums in Maryland
- U.S. Naval Academy
- The Walters Art Museum
- American Visionary Art Museum
- Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum
- Baltimore Museum of Art
- B&O Railroad Museum
- Glenstone Museum
- Bruce Snake Gabrielson’s Surf Art Gallery and Museum
- The Chesapeake Beach Railway Museum
- Baltimore Museum of Industry
Parks in Maryland
- Northside Park
- Rock Creek Regional Park
- Wheaton Regional Park
- Centennial Park
- Hagerstown City Park
- C&O Canal Historical Park
- Carroll Creek Linear Park
- Allen Pond Park
- Catoctin Mountain Park
- Lake Elkhorn Park
Fun facts about Maryland
Every state has its own unique vibe shaped by its history, culture, and people. Getting to know local traditions and quirks is the best way to truly experience life in a new place.
Discovering these fun facts about Maryland highlights what sets the state apart—and might even inspire you to move there.
- Paleo-Indians first inhabited what is now the state of Maryland. Archaeologists have found artifacts such as beads and arrowheads that date back to 13,000 years ago. They believe the Paleo-Indians came from other parts of North America to hunt bison and caribou. In later years, Native American tribes moved into the region, including the Lenape, Nanticoke, Susquehannock, Shawnee, and Powhatan tribes.
- Maryland gets its name from Queen Henrietta Maria of England. Her husband, George Calvert created the colony, but before the settlement could begin, he died and his son Cecilius continued on. Cecilius, who wanted to create safe place for Roman Catholics that were coming from England.
- Maryland is sometimes called “America in Miniature”. It has a wide topography that ranges from gently rolling hills to pine groves, to sandy dunes, and marshlands near the Chesapeake Bay. Maryland is home to lakes, rivers, and the Atlantic ocean. 400 types of birds, 90 species of mammals, 93 species of reptiles and amphibians, and hundreds of freshwater and marine fish inhabit the borders of Maryland.
- The Chesapeake Bay is the largest of more than 100 estuaries (a partially enclosed body of water where fresh water from rivers and streams mixes with salt water from the ocean) in the United States. It splits Maryland into two halves. Captain John Smith was one of the first Europeans to visit the bay.[
- MD joined the Union during the Civil War even though it was a slave state south of the Mason-Dixon line. Being a border state, it had major divisions in its support, even among family members. The state was a battleground where some of the most decisive battles of the war were fought.
- Maryland has a state crustacean. The blue crab was named the state crustacean (crustacean comes from the Latin word crusta, which means shell) in 1989. The blue crab is commonly called the “Maryland crab”, even though a large amount of blue crabs are caught off the waters of Virginia. The crabs are in peak season from April to November, and Marylanders are known to eat their crabs with Old Bay or Chesapeake Bay seasoning.
- Another Maryland nickname is the “Old Line State”. During the Revolutionary War, 400 American soldiers led by Colonel William Smallwood, fought against 10,000 British soldiers in a 1776 battle. The “Maryland Line” was able to hold off the advancing British soldiers long enough for George Washington, leading the remaining American soldiers, to make their escape.
- Maryland’s baseball team is named after a poem. The Baltimore Ravens are named after the famous poem, The Raven, by Edgar Allen Poe. Poe was from Baltimore and his house is now a historical landmark that is open for tours.
- Harriet Tubman was born into slavery in Maryland. Although born into slavery, Harriet Tubman rose above her traumatic past and became a historic leader, fighting against slavery. Part of her famous underground railroad can be toured in Maryland at the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Visitor Center. The journey lasts 125 miles starting in Cambridge to Goldsboro passing through country roads to off state highways and part of the Great Chesapeake Bay Loop.
- MD has the narrowest width of any U.S. state – less than 2 miles in the Hancock area.
- The Great Baltimore Fire of 1904 lasted for 30 hours and resulted in standardized firefighting equipment. The fire destroyed 1,500 buildings and completely wiped out entire neighborhoods. Firefighters struggled to contain the blaze due to an issue with their hose couplings not matching up. The fire was the most destructive fire in the United States since the Great Chicago Fire of 1871.
- Maryland holds the honors as the first state in the nation to designate a state exercise. Walking became the State Exercise of Maryland on October 1, 2008.
Maryland population and demographics
Thinking about moving to Maryland? Here’s what life in the Old Line State really feels like—beyond just the numbers.
Opting for a more populous state means you’ll have more job opportunities, vibrant nightlife, and top-notch infrastructure. On the flip side, settling in a less crowded state offers quieter living and the chance to become part of a tight-knit community.
Looking at average education levels can help you gauge local job prospects and see how easy it is to access schools or colleges in the area. At the same time, understanding a state’s political climate gives you insight into the values and priorities most important to its residents.
Getting to know the people, lifestyle, and values in Maryland is a great way to figure out if it’s a place where you’ll feel right at home.
| Metric | Maryland |
|---|---|
| Population | 6,180,253 |
| Female | 51.4% |
| Male | 48.6% |
| College graduation rate | 48.55% |
| Political leaning | Democratic 63-34.4 |
| Crime index | 20.34 |
Maryland weather
Climate plays a huge role in shaping your day-to-day life, so it’s an important factor to consider when deciding whether Maryland is right for you. Looking at seasonal highs and lows and average rain and snowfall can help you imagine how much time you’ll be spending outdoors, preparing for storms, and adjusting to temperature extremes.
For example, summer highs can affect everything from your energy bills to how much time you’ll want to spend away from the AC, while winter lows help you prepare for what kind of wardrobe (and heating system) you’ll need. Annual snowfall can mean anything from occasional flurries to full-on storms that impact travel and daily routines.
Whether you love sunshine, prefer cooler temps, or want to avoid snow altogether, knowing the climate can help you decide if Maryland aligns with your lifestyle and comfort level.
| Metric | Maryland |
|---|---|
| Summer high | 87ºF |
| Winter low | 25ºF |
| Annual rain | 44″ |
| Annual snow | 19″ |
Income and cost of living in Maryland
Checking out key industries, typical salaries, home prices, and overall living expenses helps you gauge how affordable and practical life can be in Maryland.
Understanding which industries power the local economy can give you valuable insight into job prospects and market stability in your field. And when it comes to deciding whether to rent or buy, housing costs will probably be one of the biggest factors shaping your move.
The cost of living index shows how much your money is really worth compared to the national average. If the index is lower, you can expect to spend less on essentials like groceries, transportation, and housing.
These figures aren’t just statistics—they’re useful tools to help you weigh your current lifestyle against what Maryland has to offer, so you can make your move with confidence and clarity.
The main economic industries in the state include:
- Real estate and rental and leasing ($68.9 billion)
- Professional and business services ($58.3 billion)
- Educational services, health care, and social assistance ($37.8 billion)
- Manufacturing ($24.4 billion)
- Finance and insurance ($22.6 billion)
- Retail trade ($20.1 billion)
- Construction ($18.2 billion)
- Wholesale trade ($17.7 billion)
- Information ($17.7 billion)
- Arts, entertainment, recreation, accommodation, and food services ($16.1 billion)
| Metric | Maryland |
|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $1,598 |
| Average home cost | $418,438 |
| Average income (per capita) | $98,461 |
| Cost of living index* | 100 |
| Unemployment rate | 3.0% |
| Average sales tax | Not available |
| State income tax | 5.75% |
*To figure out the cost of living in each state, there’s a 100-point index, known as the cost of living index. This metric starts with a baseline number of 100. States with a number below that are less expensive to live in while states with numbers higher than 100 are more expensive to live in.
Top schools in Maryland
If great schools and universities matter to you, checking out a state’s education scene can tell you a lot about its job market and community atmosphere.
Whether you’re planning to go back to school, have kids close to graduating, or just want to be in a place with top-notch educational options, Maryland should be high on your list.
Here are some of the top schools in Maryland:
- Johns Hopkins University
- University of Maryland
- University of Maryland, Baltimore County
- University of Maryland, Baltimore
- Towson University
- University of Baltimore
- United States Naval Academy
- Loyola University Maryland
- Morgan State University
- Frostburg State University
- Maryland Institute College of Art
- Salisbury University
- Goucher College
- Hood College
- Washington College
Finding the best moving company for your relocation to Maryland
We combed through 2,756 moving companies nationwide—including 51 right here in Maryland—and got insights straight from movers and people just like you to uncover the top picks in the industry.
Getting ready to move to the Old Line State? Check out the top moving companies that will get your stuff to your new place safely, no matter where you’re starting from.
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Cost of moving to Maryland
Planning your move to Maryland? Be sure to budget ahead. Professional movers typically charge about $136 per hour, though your total bill depends on how much you’re hauling and how far you’re going—long-distance moves usually come with a higher price tag than local ones.
The way you move can have a major impact on your overall costs.
Looking to save on your move? Consider one of the top moving container companies. You can pack and load your stuff on your own schedule, and the company handles all the driving for you. It’s a great way to get the best of both worlds—flexibility and savings—without going completely DIY or splurging on a pricey full-service move.
Trying to save some cash? Renting a moving truck is your most budget-friendly option. You’ll be in charge of packing, loading, driving, and unloading everything on your own.
Ready to ditch the hassle of moving by yourself? Professional interstate movers can take care of it all. Just keep in mind, this convenience typically costs more—so be sure to compare quotes and find an option that fits both your needs and your budget.
| Company | Quote | Rating |
|---|---|---|
Safeway Moving
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Mayzlin Relocation
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BLVD Moving
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PODS
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American Van Lines
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Cost to bring your car to Maryland
Bringing a car with you? Use our car shipping calculator below to estimate how much it’ll cost to transport your vehicle to Maryland.
Maryland car insurance requirements
Maryland drivers license requirements
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