You may know the state as ‘America in Miniature’, considering how it is a mixture of the city as well as a rich topography with some amazing landscapes, grasses, hills and mountains. If you are an explorer of forests and wildlife, Maryland’s Piedmont region has rolling hills with lots of oak trees to wander around. Towards the west near the Maryland mountains, you will find yourself surrounded by the pine groves.
Maryland’s beauty is not limited to the wonderful landscapes and topography with wildlife and mountains to explore. The state has a lot more to offer which goes beyond the metropolitan city of Baltimore. Planning on moving to Maryland? Well, you still need to know more about the state’s cost of living and weather among other such essential details. So keep reading on to know more about what the state of Maryland has to offer you.
What Should I Know Before Moving To Maryland?
Located in the mid Atlantic region of the United States, Maryland has a population of around 6,045,680 people. If someone ever mentions the ‘Old Line State’ or the ‘Free State’, you should know that they are talking about Maryland. The state gets its name from Queen Mary, who was the wife of King Charles I. Maryland has an area of around 12,407 sq mi, with Baltimore being the most popular and largest city for you to explore. Pennsylvania borders Maryland to the north while the Atlantic Ocean borders it to the south. Towards the east, it is bordered by Delaware and the west by West Virginia.
You will witness many waterways like the Chesapeake Bay, Potomac and Deep Creek Lake, where you can enjoy the most amazing views especially during the sunset. It won’t come to you as a surprise that the state has another nickname called the ‘Bay State’, because of its geography and beautiful lakes and rivers. If you enjoy the high peaks and mountains, hold your breath as the Hoye Crest on the Backbone Mountain will take your breath away with its elevation of around 3,360 feet being the highest point in Maryland. You are sure to witness amazing sights if you ever plan to move to this ‘America in Miniature’.
Crime Rate In Maryland
Before you plan your move, we advise you to consider other things like your safety in the state. The crime rate for violent crimes is around 4.54 for 1000 people according to neighbourhoodscout. Therefore your chances for being a victim of violent crimes in Maryland are 1 in 220 people. The crime rate for property crimes is around 19.50 for 1000 people according to neighbourhoodscout. So your chance for being a victim of property crimes in Maryland is 1 in 51 people.
Also Read: Best Safest Cities in US
Maryland Weather
You will experience the subtropical climate and humid summers in Maryland. The climate of the state is highly influenced by the Atlantic Ocean and the Chesapeake Bay. The average temperatures in summers can be around 75 degree Fahrenheit to 107 degree F. You can explore the eastern part of the state like the Ocean City and Baltimore to enjoy the state’s flat topography with sandy and muddy soil.
If you like the winters, then you can experience the state’s cool weather and seasonal snowfall in places like in the Piedmont region, while exploring the northern and western areas of Baltimore, Westminster and Hagerstown. The average temperature during winters, especially in the month of January is around -10 degree celsius and sometimes even lower depending on the area you’re living in.
The annual rainfall in Maryland is around 890 mm, however, if you are living in areas which have high elevations, then it can exceed up to around 1,140 mm. There are some things you need to beware of especially in winters, like the tropical cyclones, hurricanes and thunderstorms, as the state is situated near the Atlantic coast.
How Expensive Is It To Live In Maryland?
A little knowledge about the state’s climatic conditions and popular spots can be valuable. Before you decide to move to a new state, you also need to take care of other things like your accommodation, cost of living and your budget. So grab a calculator and keep reading further to know more about the state’s expenses and other important things for you to decide whether it is a suitable place for you to move in.
Cost Of Living In Maryland
If you’re considering Maryland as your next state to move in, you will have to pay around $5,128 as your state tax as per SmartAsset. Your income tax in Maryland would cost you around $35,724, whereas your sales tax would be around $1,640 as stated by SmartAsset. You will have to pay around $3,020 as your property tax while your fuel tax would be around $238 according to smartasset. So your overall tax burden in Maryland would be around $40,622.
Buying A House
Almost 65% or more of Maryland’s residents own their own houses as revealed by NeighborhoodScout. SmartAsset states that you will have to keep aside an average of $325,767 as your median house price. According to Best Places, the median household cost in Maryland is $294,100 approximately. So it’s definitely not super affordable or anything, considering the national average stands at $231,200.
Renting A House
Renting a house can also cost you a few extra bucks in Maryland compared to other states. Get ready to pay around $1,256 per month as your house rent which is almost $305 more than the U.S median rent. Not just that, but your two bedroom apartment will be around $1,513 which is almost $333 more than the U.S median price as revealed by SmartAsset.
Numbeo has also given estimates for your house rents depending on their location, size and number of bedrooms. If you are a single person seeking a one bedroom apartment in the city centre, then your rent would be around $1,608.76 per month. But if you want a one bedroom apartment outside the city centre, then you will have to pay around $1,046.23 per month. All the same, a three bedroom apartment in the city centre will set you back by $2,291.67 per month. On the other hand, a three bedroom apartment outside the city centre will cost you around $1,875.00 per month.
Utility Bills
Don’t forget that you will have to spend for your other essential utilities also apart from your housing expenses. If you’re wondering how much you’ll have to spend on your utilities monthly, your average utility bill per month will cost you around $131.16 which is almost $20 higher than the national average of around $111.67 as revealed by SmartAsset.
Maryland Economy And Employment Opportunities
If you are living in Maryland, your pockets certainly need to have sufficient amounts of money to be able to meet your housing expenses, transportation costs, food and other basic necessities. Tourism contributes to the state’s economy to quite an extent and is administered by the Department of Business and Economic Development. If you are an IT enthusiast, then you will be glad to know that the Information Technology, Biotechnology and Aerospace industries have been the leading industries in the 20th and 21st centuries in Maryland.
Zippia has determined the Architecture and Engineering Industry as the best industry in the state after analyzing the potential job opportunities and average salary of the industry. Zippia has also given average estimates for your overall salary in various sectors. If you are engaged in the Architecture and Engineering industry in Maryland, your average salary would be around $94,330. A person engaged in the Management industry will earn upto $125,940. If you are a Healthcare Practitioner, then your average salary would be around $85,430. People engaged in the Computer and Mathematical sector will earn an average salary of around $96,800.
Education
Maryland has around 1,400 public schools and around 24 local school systems which are administered by Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) which is an agency guided by the Maryland State Board of Education. You will find some of the best colleges and universities in the metropolitan city of Baltimore, however there are several research universities and liberal arts colleges spread throughout the state.
You will find the United States Naval Academy is located in Annapolis in the city of Baltimore, which is one of America’s top federal academies. If you are interested in humanities and social sciences, then you should definitely consider Johns Hopkins University which is a private institution in the metropolitan city of Baltimore. There are fine liberal arts colleges in the state like St. Mary’s College of Maryland which is located in St. Mary’s city.
Getting Around Maryland
Maryland has lots of sights for you to explore, not just the state’s breathtakingly beautiful landscapes and mountain peaks, but also the city lifestyle in the Baltimore metropolitan city.
Buses
Maryland has around 35 cities and you will have to pay around $44.00 for your bus ticket for the top routes according to Wanderu. The cheapest bus ticket available for you would be around $5.00, whereas the most expensive bus ticket will cost you around $147.00 as per Wanderu. The Greyhound will offer you the best bus services connecting you to around 13 cities and towns in the state. Apart from the Greyhound, there is also the Peter Pan Lines, which connects you to two cities in Maryland. There are also the Jefferson Lines and Wanda Coach that provide services from outside the state but not within the state.
Taxis
The start of your normal taxi fare in the city of Baltimore would be around $2.00 as per Numbeo. You will be charged around $1.62 per km, whereas your taxi fare for one hour waiting would be around $24.00 as per Numbeo. You can also book an Uber to explore your list of destinations in the state. You will be charged around $8 for an UberX. Your minimum fare for an UberXL would be around $10.5. The minimum cost for an UberBLACK would be around $15. If you book an UberSUV, you will be charged around $25.
Trains
Your average cost for a train ticket for the top routes would be around $95 according to Wanderu. The cheapest ticket available for you would be around $7, whereas the most expensive train ticket will cost you around $219 as per Wanderu. You will enjoy your train trip by Amtrak, which will connect you to around 14 cities and towns within Maryland. There is also the Amtrak Acela that will connect you to two cities within the state. Apart from that, there are the Amtrak Cardinal, Amtrak Crescent and Amtrak Silver Service that connect you to the state from other cities and locations.
Also See: Maryland DMV Change Of Address
Best Places To Live In Maryland
1. Rockville
Rockville is around 30 minutes north from Washington D.C. and has a population of around 67,542 people. The city has various recreational activities for you to enjoy while exploring the city’s natural side. If you want to engage in some fun sports activities, then you should definitely visit the Rockville Town Square. You can grab your skates and enjoy ice skating in the 7,200 sq. foot ice rink. The place also has lots of shops for you and your family to explore and go shopping around the Town Square. You can also experience some great concerts especially on Fridays. If you love to be amidst nature, then the Meadowside Nature Center must be one of your destinations. You can explore a variety of wildlife of the city like bald eagle, hawk and owls. You can also take a stroll through the beautiful butterfly gardens and enjoy different sports activities like hiking and golfing at the Seneca Creek State Park. The city also has various software and biotechnology industries making it one of the fastest growing cities in the state.
- Median Home value: $540,000
- Median Home rent: $1,894.91
- Unemployment rate: 4.4%
2. Cheverly
If you are a city person then Cheverly is just the place for you, as it is around 30 minutes away from the famous metropolitan city of Baltimore. The city has a population of around 6,435, which is why commuting will never be a problem for you. There are a lot of fun activities awaiting you at the Bladensburg Waterfront Park. You can enjoy a boat ride and explore the most historic waterways. If you want to have some fun time with your family, you can go visit the Cheverly East Neighbourhood Park, where there are basketball and tennis courts for you to explore if you like sports activities. According to HomeSnacks, the median income in this city is around $99,261 and therefore a perfect urban area for you to explore.
- Median Home Value: $352,800
- Median Home rent: $1,649
- Unemployment rate: 6.2%
3. Havre De Grace
Havre De Grace has a population of around 13,652 where you will find prestigious institutes like the Havre De Grace High School and National Blue Ribbon High School. If at all you like to be in nature and relax while exploring the scenic beauty out there, you definitely have to visit the Havre De Grace Promenade. It’s a great place to take a stroll at the bay of Susquehanna River and also explore the rich wildlife of the city. You can also enjoy fun outdoor activities like camping and hiking at the Susquehanna State Park or just have a fun picnic with your entire family.
- Median Home value: 287,500
- Median Home rent: $885-$1700
- Unemployment rate: 6.3%
Is Maryland A Good Place To Live?
In terms of access to nature and apartments with an ocean view, the answer would be yes. But you have to keep in mind that Maryland has relatively high housing as well as utility costs, especially in the metropolitan area of Annapolis. So you need to gauge your personal finances, your employment goals and your personal goals to figure out if those aspects are manageable for you. The weather sure is good in Maryland, but there are chances of you experiencing thunderstorms and frequent snowfall especially in the month of January. At the end of the day, Maryland is definitely a good place to live and moving to Maryland makes sense. The only question is if it makes sense for you personally.
Frequently Asked Questions about Moving to Maryland
What is the nicest town in Maryland?
The nicest town in Maryland is undoubtedly tiny, historic towns like Rock Hall and Oxford, which have a lot to offer visitors. But if we’re going for the best of the states, then it’s hard not choosing Thurmont with its picturesque downtown area lined with shops that are sure to make you feel at home as soon as possible!
Why is Maryland considered the worst state to retire in?
Maryland is considered the worst state to retire in because of its low ranking on key aspects such as weather, affordability, and crime. The Sharecare Community Well-Being Index measures access to healthcare, food security, and physical health across all five categories, with Maryland scoring lowest.
Why is Maryland so special?
Maryland is a unique state in its beauty and diversity. Maryland has been called “America in Miniature” because it provides so much for those who visit or reside there, with 10,460 square miles filled with all sorts of natural wonders such as vast fields, beautiful mountains, the ocean coastline that extends down the Eastern Shore to Virginia Beach.
What’s special about Maryland?
Maryland is a place where you can fish for crabs, mine coal, and other minerals in the ground. This state also has miles of beaches lined with oyster farms that produce some delicious seafood dishes!
What is the poorest county in MD?
The city of Baltimore has the highest poverty rate in Maryland, at 21.8% of its population, while Calvert County is the lowest at 5%. The areas that have higher rates for poverty are Baltimore city and Somerset as well as Allegany Counties.”
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