Factors affecting the cost of moving from AL to MD
There are many factors that influence
Alabama moving costs.
The cost to move from Alabama to Maryland will depend on these factors:
- Move size: Moving a large home costs more than moving a studio apartment.
-
Time of year: The peak moving season
in Alabama is in the summer, so moving companies will likely charge more.
-
DIY vs. professional mover:
DIY moving services are cheaper but you do all the heavy lifting compared to letting the pros handle your move.
What to know before moving from AL to MD
If you’re moving to Maryland from Alabama, you’ll want to compare what life will be like.
Cost of living: Alabama vs. Maryland
|
Alabama |
Maryland |
Average rent cost |
$925 |
$1,598 |
Average home cost |
$227,508 |
$418,438 |
Average income (per capita) |
$59,609 |
$98,461 |
Cost of Living Index |
88 |
100 |
Unemployment rate |
2.9% |
3.0% |
Average Sales Tax |
9.22% |
6.0% |
State Income Tax |
5.0% |
5.75% |
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Rent is about 73% more expensive in Maryland than in Alabama.
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Home prices are about 84% higher in Maryland than in Alabama.
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The average income is about 65% higher in Maryland than in Alabama.
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Cost of living is 14% lower in Maryland than in Alabama.
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Maryland has a higher unemployment rate than Alabama by about 3%.
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Sales taxes are 35% lower in Maryland than in Alabama.
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Income taxes are 15% higher in Maryland than in Alabama.
How life is different in Maryland vs. Alabama
|
Maryland |
Alabama |
Population |
6,180,253 |
5,108,468 |
Political leaning |
Democratic 63-34.4 |
Republican 65-35 |
Summer high |
87ºF |
91ºF |
Winter low |
25ºF |
33ºF |
Annual rain |
44" |
56" |
Annual snow |
19" |
1" |
Crime index |
20.34 |
21.48 |
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The population of Maryland is approximately 21% greater than the population of Alabama.
-
In the last presidential election, Maryland voted Democratic and Alabama voted Republican.
-
The average high in the summertime in Maryland is 87ºF
and in Alabama, it’s 91ºF.
-
During the coldest part of the year, Maryland reaches the temperature of 25ºF
and Alabama gets down to 33ºF.
-
You can expect about 44 inches of annual rainfall in Maryland versus 56 inches of rainfall in Alabama.
-
In Maryland, it snows about 19 inches annually
versus 1 inch of snow in Alabama.
-
Maryland has a lower crime rate than Alabama with a crime index
of 20.34 vs. 21.48.
Comparing the pros of Alabama vs. Maryland
Getting a fresh start in a new location is exciting. Here’s a side-by-side look at the perks of living in Maryland compared to Alabama.
Pros of living in Alabama |
Pros of living in Maryland |
Low cost of living |
Delicious food |
Tasty southern comfort food |
Ample economic opportunity |
Bountiful recreational opportunities |
Diverse outdoor activities |
Top-notch college football |
Beautiful coastline |
Rich history |
Rich history |
Comparing the cons of living in Alabama vs. Maryland
Everything can’t be sunshine and rainbows all the time, no matter where you live.
Here are some things to be aware of when leaving Alabama for Maryland.
Cons of living in Alabama |
Cons of living in Maryland |
Poor quality of life |
High cost of living |
Severe weather |
Bad traffic |
Restrictive alcohol laws |
High crime |
Poor healthcare |
High homelessness |
Cockroaches |
Peculiar alcohol laws |
Other things to consider for your Alabama to Maryland move
- Weather: Maryland has a wide array of climates, due to local variances in elevation, proximity to water, and protection from colder weather due to downslope winds.
The eastern half of Maryland — which includes the cities of Ocean City, Salisbury, Annapolis, and the southern and eastern suburbs of Washington, D.C., and Baltimore — lies on the Atlantic Coastal Plain, with flat topography and sandy or muddy soil. This region has a humid subtropical climate, with hot, humid summers and a short, mild-to-cool winter
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HOA rules:
Check ahead with any neighborhood or community rules on moving to ensure a smooth move.
-
Elevator reservation:
One common and important example of something that should be handled ahead of time is reserving the building's elevator
and finding out their rules for using the elevator.
-
Parking permits:
Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles, find out ahead of time with your new local rules.
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State licensing:
Although a local license is not required in Maryland, make sure the moving company you’ll be hiring is registered with U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT). To verify if you’re dealing with a legal and licensed mover, you may ask them their USDOT registration number. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
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State regulator:
You can verify a Maryland moving license
and its status on the state regulator's official website.
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Moving permits:
Maryland does not require any moving permits, but it is helpful to check local parking restrictions before moving into the state.
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Change of address:
We recommend submitting your change of address form with USPS at least a week prior to your move.
You can set an official move date on the form so that all your mail will get properly forwarded to Maryland.
Get started here.
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Mover's insurance:
Interstate moving companies are required under federal law to provide basic insurance — also called “released value protection” — free of charge to all moving customers.
In Alabama, Released Value Protection stands out as the most economical option, incurring no additional costs. Provided by movers at no extra charge, it offers minimal coverage at 60 cents per pound per article. For those seeking comprehensive coverage, it is advisable to consult with your chosen moving company for alternative options or explore third-party insurance providers.
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Moving checklist:
Peace of mind is priceless. Our moving checklist will help you know you’ve got everything covered.
Things to do in Maryland
While you’re in Maryland, you won’t be bored. These are some of the coolest places to visit in your new home state:
- 1: Baltimore Inner Harbor
- 2: Deep Creek Lake Area
- 3: Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park
- 4: Ocean City Boardwalk
- 5: Six Flags America
- 6: Assateague State Park
- 7: Brookside Gardens
- 8: Fort McHenry National Monument
- 9: Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Museum
- 10: Strathmore Music Center
- 11: National Aquarium
- 12: The Walters Art Museum
- 13: Antietam National Battlefield
- 14: Swallow Falls State Park
- 15: Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge
- 16: Oriole Park at Camden Yards
- 17: Live! Casino & Hotel Maryland
- 18: American Visionary Art Museum
- 19: Port Discovery Children's Museum
- 20: NASA Goddard Space Flight Center
FAQs
What is the cheapest way to move from Alabama to Maryland?
Do movers transport your car from Alabama to Maryland?
Some full-service movers can coordinate auto transport for you as part of your relocation package for an additional fee.
But you can also handle
vehicle transport from Alabama to Maryland
separately through one of the top car shipping companies.
What are the benefits of moving from Alabama to Maryland?
The main reasons people are moving from Alabama to Maryland are the amazing upsides of living in Maryland such as
delicious food and ample economic opportunity.
Is it cheaper to live in Alabama or Maryland?
It is generally cheaper to live in Alabama than in Maryland.
Housing
is much more affordable in Alabama,
with average rent about 42% less
and home prices 46% lower than in Maryland.
Taxes are also lower in Alabama, most notably income taxes,
which are more than 10% less than those paid by
Maryland residents.
How much should you make a year to live comfortably in Maryland?
You should make approximately $80,036 as a single adult with no children to live comfortably in Maryland.
The cost of living in Maryland is approximately $3,093 per month for an individual and $8,091 for a family of four.
The exact amount you’ll need to live comfortably may be more or less depending on where in Maryland you live
For example, larger cities like Washington DC and Baltimore will have higher housing costs than those in smaller towns.
Helpful moving resources