Planning your move to the Free State? You’re not alone! More than 95,000 people are moving to Maryland annually, which is why Maryland’s population has reached 6.1 million.

Maryland has a robust economy, driven by its proximity to Washington, D.C., and its strong defense, tech, and healthcare sectors. The state has a median household income of 102K —among the highest in the nation, appeals to potential movers, too.

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6 Reasons to Move to Maryland

Maryland is one of the favorite relocation destinations for Americans. Here are three reasons to move to Maryland.

#	Reasons to Move to MD	Key Highlight
1.	Cost of Living	The cost of living in Maryland is 11% higher than the national average.
2.	Employment	The Free State is the fastest growing state for employment in 2024.
3.	Education	Maryland is home to renowned educational institutes like the Holton-Arms and the University of Maryland.

1. Cost of Living in Maryland

The cost of living in Maryland is 11% higher than the national average. However, it’s an attractive option compared to states like California and New York, where living costs are 38% and 26% above the national average.

Here’s a breakdown of basic expenses in top metros in Maryland.

Metro	Home Price	Home Renting/mo	Public Transport/mo	Utilities/mo	Food/mo
Baltimore	$230,000	$1,574	$128	$171.76	$577
Columbia	$500,00	$2,123	$53.1	$136.59	$615
Germantown	$415,000	$2,015	$82.3	$180.0	$834
Frederick	$445,000	$1,840	$61	$113.03	$604

3. Employment Opportunities in Maryland

Maryland’s strong economy provides many job opportunities across different industries. In the first half of 2024, the state added 27,800 jobs, making it the fastest-growing state for employment.

Healthcare and Social Assistance: Maryland’s healthcare sector is rapidly growing, with high demand for roles in nursing, home health care, and medical administration. The state expects to create over 36,600 new jobs by 2032. Top employers include Johns Hopkins Health System and MedStar Health.
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services: Job growth in IT, cybersecurity, and scientific research is set to expand. More than 48,000 new positions are projected by 2032. Leading employers include Northrop Grumman, Lockheed Martin, and Booz Allen Hamilton.
Transportation, Warehousing, and Utilities: Maryland’s location along the East Coast and the Port of Baltimore make transportation and logistics key industries. About 8,200 new jobs are expected by 2032. Key employers include the Maryland Transit Administration and Amazon.
Government: Maryland’s government sector remains a major employer. Federal agencies like the NIH and NSA are headquartered in the state. This sector is projected to add 17,000 jobs by 2032, with the federal government being Maryland’s largest employer.

4. Education and Schools in Maryland

Maryland serves over 889,900 students across 24 school districts. The state provides multiple schooling options including:

Public Schools: Maryland has over 1,400 public schools, known for their academic excellence and innovative programs. Baltimore County Public Schools are Harford County Public Schools known for their Advanced Placement (AP) programs and International Baccalaureate (IB) courses.
Specialized Magnet and Charter Schools: MD has over 48 charter schools that offer specialized programs in STEM and arts. These schools are tuition-free and are a good alternative to traditional public schools. Some of the top schools are Frederick Classical Charter and the Green School of Baltimore.
Private Schools: Maryland is home to over 550 private schools, known for their small class sizes and personalized attention. The average tuition for private schools is around $14,407 annually. Some of the top private institutions include Sidwell Friends and Holton-Arms.
Higher Education: MD has a robust higher education system with 13 public colleges and universities and several private colleges. The University of Maryland (UMD) is particularly known for its engineering, business, and public health programs.

Cost of Moving to Maryland💲

There are additional costs involved in moving from one state to another. Here’s a breakdown of costs you may incur while relocating to MD.

1. Moving Costs ~ $445 and $3,493

Moving to MD involves several costs, including the costs involved in moving your belongings.

Maryland moving companies typically cost $104 per hour. However, this figure depends entirely on your belongings and the distance traveled.
If you want to DIY your move, renting a truck can be a better option. The average rent of a mid-size moving truck with a load capacity of 4,000-6,000 pounds ranges between $40 and $80 per day.

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2. Utility Expenses ~ $400 to $500 Per Month

Apart from moving and housing costs, you will have to incur utility expenses when migrating to Maryland.

When moving to Maryland, you must set up utilities like gas, electricity, water, etc. The average utility bill in Maryland is around $449/month.
You will have to register your vehicle in Maryland. The first-time registration cost of a passenger vehicle in MD ranges from $110 to $323. A standard title transfer costs around $100.

3. Housing Costs

Housing costs in the Free State can vary depending on your location.

In popular cities like Columbia, Baltimore, and Frederick, the average rent ranges between $1,500 and $2,500.
However, if you’re looking to buy a house in Maryland, home prices vary across the state. Coastal cities like Chesapeake Beach have a median home price of $451K. On the other hand, the average cost of a home in inland cities like Baltimore is $230K.

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