Moving to Maryland? 2024 Living Costs & Relocation Tips

Maryland is a state located in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. It is known for its history, beautiful coastline, and diverse cities, with Baltimore being a major seaport in the state.  

If you are considering moving to Maryland, the various costs listed below will help you make an informed decision on what costs are involved.

Quick Maryland Facts:

1. Population: 6.165 million (2021)
2. Official Language: English
3. GDP Per Capita: $76,958 (2022)
4. Random Fact: Maryland is the birthplace of the United States national anthem, created in 1918
5. Currency: US Dollar (US$). As of early 2023, £1 = $1.20, €1 = $1.07, $1 CAD = $0.74, $1 AUD = $0.68 

1. Moving and Shipping Costs to Maryland

From State	Estimated Cost
California	$3,500 – $6,500
Texas	$2,800 – $5,000
Florida	$3,000 – $5,500
New York	$2,200 – $4,000
Pennsylvania	$2,000 – $3,600
Illinois	$2,700 – $4,700
Ohio	$2,500 – $4,500
Georgia	$2,900 – $4,900
North Carolina	$2,400 – $4,200
Michigan	$2,600 – $4,600

Also see: 10 Best International Moving Companies in Maryland

2. Maryland Housing Costs

The range of rental and house purchase prices in Maryland can vary significantly depending on the location, with urban areas like Baltimore typically having lower prices than affluent suburban areas like Bethesda or Potomac. For example, the median home value in Baltimore is around $160,000, while in Bethesda it is around $1.2 million.

Monthly Rental Prices in Maryland:

• 1 bedroom flat (apartment) in City Centre: $2,100+
• 1 bedroom flat outside the City Centre: $1,550+
• 3 bedroom flat in City Centre: $3,575+
• 3 bedroom flat outside the City Centre: $2,700+

Maryland Home Purchase Prices:

• Price per square metre (10.7 square feet) to buy in City Centre: $3,400+
• Price per square metre (10.7 square feet) to buy outside City: $3,000+

Maryland Housing Cost Comparison:

This is how rents in Maryland compare with other cities around the globe.

• London is 18.3% more expensive 
• New York is 43.8% more expensive 
• Los Angeles is 22.3% more expensive 
• Toronto is 14.3% cheaper 
• Sydney is 1.3% more expensive 
• Paris is 29.5% cheaper 
• Dubai is 15.4% cheaper 

Source: Numbeo

How to Save on Housing Costs:

• Share a Flat or House: Sharing a house or a flat is a way to save on living expenses. You may have to share a bathroom but you will save at the end of the day. A cheaper option is to share a room. Have a look at the following site to find your perfect room or flatmate: iRoommates.
• Different Areas – Different Prices: Maryland is a state with a diverse range of living options, from urban to suburban to rural areas. Rental and house purchase prices can vary significantly based on location and the type of housing. Urban areas such as Baltimore, which is the largest city in Maryland, have lower prices compared to more affluent suburban areas like Bethesda, Potomac, and Chevy Chase.
  

3. Maryland Food, Grocery and Restaurant Costs

Maryland has a rich culinary culture, with seafood being a popular choice due to its proximity to the Chesapeake Bay. Crabs are a particular favourite, with “Maryland-style” crab cakes being a famous dish. Additionally, craft beer is a growing trend in Maryland, with many local breweries producing unique and flavourful beers.

• Inexpensive Restaurant: $30.00
•  Takeout Coffee: $5.00
•  Bottle of Coke: $1.75
•  1L of Milk: $1.00
•  Loaf of Bread: $3.40
•  12 Eggs: $4.20
•  1kg Chicken: $10.45
•  1kg Beef: $17.60
•  1kg Apples: $3.85
•  1kg White Rice: $4.60

This is how restaurants and food prices compare with other major cities in the world.

• London restaurants are 1.6% more expensive and groceries are 31.9% cheaper than Maryland.
• New York restaurants are 15.8% more expensive and groceries are 23.7% more expensive than Maryland. 
• Los Angeles restaurants are 10.9% more expensive and groceries are 3.6% more expensive than Maryland. 
• Toronto restaurants are 11.9% cheaper and groceries are 10.8% cheaper than Maryland. 
• Sydney restaurants are 12.5% cheaper and groceries are 3.2% more expensive than Maryland. 
• Paris restaurants are 18% cheaper and groceries are 1.6% more expensive than Maryland. 
• Dubai restaurants are 17.8% cheaper and groceries are 55.3% cheaper than Maryland. 

Source: Numbeo

Bonus Tips for Cheaper Food, Restaurants and Groceries:

• Know Your Supermarkets: Maryland has a variety of farmers’ markets throughout the state, offering fresh produce, meats, and other locally-sourced products. In addition to farmers’ markets, there is a range of supermarkets in Maryland, from affordable options like Walmart and Aldi to more upscale stores like Whole Foods and Wegmans, catering to a wide range of budgets and preferences.
• Find Cheap Eats: Maryland has a good selection of restaurants which offer food at affordable prices. Have a look at Trip Advisor.

4. Maryland Alcohol Costs

Maryland, like all cities in the United States, has plenty of bars and clubs to choose from, whether you want a quick beer after work or a cocktail before dinner.

• Pint (0.6L) domestic beer at a restaurant/pub: $7.00
• Bottle of imported beer at a restaurant/pub: $6.00
• Pint (0.6L) domestic beer at a supermarket: $4.10
• Bottle of imported beer at a supermarket: $5.25
• Mid-range bottle of wine at a supermarket: $15.00

How To Drink For Less in Maryland:

• Keep an eye on the local papers and websites for specials over weekends and public holidays.
• Take a look at Yelp.

5. Maryland Transportation Fares

Maryland has a range of public transportation options, including buses, light rail, and commuter trains. The state’s public transportation system is operated by the Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) and serves the Baltimore metropolitan area, as well as suburban and rural parts of the state.

Here are some sample ticket costs:

• Adult single – $3.20
• One-day ticket – $5.00
• Monthly season ticket, unlimited – $15.00

How To Save Money on Public Transport:

• Buy a bike. Depending on where you live and work, cycling around the city is certainly a viable option. 
• Walk. If you live relatively close to where you work, you can walk to work.

6. Cost of Internet in Maryland

Internet prices in the States are expensive compared with many other countries in the world. Here are some sample broadband internet prices from early 2023 for unlimited downloads, based on a 12-month contract:

• Sprint: $50 a month (Unlimited high speed except for streaming gaming up to 8mb)
• AT & T: $20 a month (50mb fibre)
• Verizon: $80 a month 

7. Cost of Clothing, Personal Items, Gym and Leisure

Here are some clothing prices, together with other useful prices.

• Pair of Jeans: $40.00
• Summer Dress: $27.50
• Running Shoes (Trainers): $75.00
• Business Shoes: $115.00
• Short Doctor’s Visit (15 mins): $92.00
• Deodorant: $3.45
• Shampoo: $3.80
• Toilet Paper (4 rolls): $3.50
• Gym Membership: $51.25
• Movie (cinema) Ticket: $12.00

Source: Numbeo, Expatistan

8. Cost of Owning a Car and Driving a Car in Maryland

Everyone in the US drives on the right. Many people use their cars for work in Maryland. The rush hour is nowhere near as long as bad as other cities around the world. If you’re moving to Maryland from within the US, you’ll be able to keep your license but need to update your address to your new one.

You can drive on a foreign license for up to 12 months as a tourist but after that, you will need to get an American license. If you are working or studying in the US, you can drive on your foreign license for 30 days. If you want to exchange your foreign driver’s license you have to follow the process here. 

Here are some other sample costs of owning and operating a car in Maryland:

• Volkswagen Golf: $30,000+
• 1 litre (¼ gallon) of Gas (petrol): $0.95
  

Source: Numbeo, Expatistan

Ways To Save Money on Driving in Maryland:

• Car sharing or pooling is one way to save money. Try Carpool World.
• Taxis can sometimes be a cheaper option, especially if you are going to have to park all day. Try Uber or Lyft.

9. Taxes in Maryland

No matter where you live in the State, you will pay federal tax. To learn more about the different taxes in the States go to Immihelp and USA taxes.

In Maryland, the state sales tax rate is 6%, which is the same throughout the entire state. However, the total sales tax rate can vary depending on the county and local sales tax rates. The highest combined sales tax rate in Maryland is in Baltimore City, where it can reach up to 10%.

Whether you own or rent your home, you will be subject to property tax based on the area in which you live and the size of the property you live in. Learn more about property tax in Fresno at Property Tax.

Finally, if you decide to buy a flat or house in Maryland you’ll have to pay real estate transfer tax.  

10. Flight Costs from Maryland

If you do make the move to Maryland, here’s approximately how much it will cost to fly to other major world cities based on the lowest, one-way fares from Skyscanner as of early 2023:

• London: $300
• New York: $60
• Los Angeles: $120
• Toronto: $150
• Vancouver: $190
• Dubai: $420
• Sydney: $590
• Melbourne: $960
• Cape Town: $720
• Hong Kong: $750

Other Tips on Moving to Maryland:

The costs and pricing above should give you a good idea of the cost of living in Maryland but perhaps the following extra tips will make your move go smoothly.

11. Moving to Maryland Alone

Moving anywhere can be a lonely experience, but moving to a new city can be especially daunting. Here are a few tips about settling in Maryland.

• Meetups: There are many Meetup groups to choose from. You will definitely find something to join which will help you to settle in.
• Attend Local Events: Maryland always has something going on. Try Eventbrite. 

12. Moving to Maryland with a Family

Maryland can be a family-friendly location, with many attractions and amenities suitable for all ages, such as museums, parks, and outdoor recreational activities. According to the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting program, Maryland has a higher crime rate than the national average, with property crimes being more common than violent crimes. 

• New Parents (or parents to be): Free and paid antenatal classes and courses exist. Have a look at the City of Maryland Medical Center.
• Live in a Family-friendly Area: Maryland has several family-friendly areas to live in, depending on one’s preferences and priorities. Located in central Maryland, Howard County consistently ranks as one of the best places to live in the state due to its excellent schools, low crime rate, and a strong economy.
• Find Things To Do With The Kids: There are many activities for families living in Maryland. Have a look at the following sites to be inspired – have a look at Trip Advisor.

13. Moving to Maryland for Work

While it is possible to move to Maryland without a job, it makes sense to ensure there are jobs in your field before you make the move. Maryland’s economy is diverse, with major industries including healthcare, biotechnology, aerospace and defence, and information technology.

The state’s unemployment rate as of March 2023 was 4.1%, which is lower than the national average and a decrease from the previous year.

Here are a few things to consider when moving for work:

• Salary: Salaries vary enormously depending on which industry you are in. The costs we outlined above should give you a rough idea of how much more you’ll want to make the move worthwhile. You can also check salary ranges on sites such as Payscale.
• How To Find Work: If you want to have a job lined up before you move to Fresno, but aren’t sure where to begin, the following sites are good places to start: Monster and Indeed. You may also want to Google recruiters in your industry, as they can often help land you some initial interviews as well.

14. Moving to Maryland from Australia

There’s a small group of Australians living and working in Maryland, if you are thinking of joining them, here are a few things to consider.

• Size Comparison: The Australian state of Tasmania covers an area of approximately 68,401 square kilometres (26,410 square miles), which is slightly smaller than Maryland.
• Join Expat Groups: Start your own Australian Meetup group.

15. Moving to Maryland from Canada

There’s a small group of Canadians living in Maryland. If you’re considering making the move from Canada here are a few things to consider.

• Size: The province of New Brunswick in Canada covers an area of approximately 72,908 square kilometres (28,150 square miles), which is slightly larger than Maryland.
• Expat Groups: Meeting up with fellow Canadians helps the moving process.  Start a Canadian Meetup group.

16. Moving to Maryland from the United Kingdom

There’s a small number of Brits living in Maryland. If you are thinking of making the move from the UK to join them, then here are a few things to consider.

• Size: An area equivalent to Maryland in the UK would be around 0.12% of the total land area of the UK.
• Expat Groups: If you want to join up with fellow Brits in Maryland, then start your own British Meetup group.

Hopefully, the tips and costs above are helpful. If want to get started pricing out how much it will cost you to move to Maryland you can start by comparing moving quotes here.