Moving to Maryland? Find the right county, then the right home.
Moving to Maryland? Compare all 24 counties on price, taxes, schools and commutes, then search every home for sale with a local team that helps people relocate here every week.
Moving to Maryland: the state at a glance
Maryland is a mid-Atlantic state of about 6.3 million people, between Washington, DC, Pennsylvania, Delaware and Virginia, with 23 counties plus the City of Baltimore. People move here for jobs in government, defense, health care and biotech, easy commutes to DC and Baltimore, the Chesapeake Bay and some of the country’s strongest school systems. The typical Maryland home sold for about $435,000 in September 2026, but prices range from under $200,000 in Western Maryland and parts of the Eastern Shore to well over $700,000 near DC.
Sources are listed at the bottom of this page.
Find your Maryland county
Moving to Maryland starts with picking the right county. Tap what matters most to you, then open a county guide for prices, taxes, schools, commutes and homes for sale.
Central Maryland & Baltimore area
WaterfrontDC & Baltimore Baltimore CityRowhome neighborhoods and the Inner Harbor, plus big-city value.
UrbanValue Baltimore CountySuburbs around the city, plus horse country up north.
SuburbanNear Baltimore Howard CountyColumbia and Ellicott City, especially known for top-rated schools.
Top schoolsDC & Baltimore Carroll CountyWestminster, farmland and quieter suburbs northwest of Baltimore.
RuralValue Harford CountyBel Air and Aberdeen Proving Ground, with good value for space.
ValueNear Baltimore
Capital region (near Washington, DC)
Commute to DCTop schools Prince George’s CountyBowie and National Harbor, plus Metro access at lower prices.
Commute to DCValue Frederick CountyA lively historic downtown, plus mountain views and fast growth.
Historic townValue
Southern Maryland
Waterfront Charles CountyWaldorf and La Plata, especially popular with DC commuters.
Commute to DCValue St. Mary’s CountyPatuxent River Naval Air Station and miles of shoreline.
WaterfrontMilitary
Western Maryland
Value Allegany CountyCumberland and mountain towns with Maryland’s lowest home prices.
MountainsValue Garrett CountyDeep Creek Lake, plus ski slopes and mountain getaways.
Lake & mountains
Eastern Shore
Value Kent CountyChestertown’s historic waterfront and quiet farm country.
Small townWaterfront Queen Anne’s CountyKent Island and waterfront towns, especially close to the Bay Bridge.
Waterfront Talbot CountyEaston and St. Michaels, classic Eastern Shore charm.
WaterfrontSmall town Caroline CountyFarmland, small towns and affordable acreage.
RuralValue Dorchester CountyCambridge and Blackwater refuge, plus affordable waterfront.
WaterfrontValue Wicomico CountySalisbury, the Shore’s hub, also home to a university and hospital.
Value Somerset CountyPrincess Anne and Crisfield, quiet and very affordable.
ValueRural Worcester CountyOcean City and Berlin, plus Maryland’s Atlantic beaches.
Beach
Why people move to Maryland
Here is the short version of what our clients tell us about moving to Maryland.
Jobs that hold up
Federal agencies, Fort Meade and the NSA, Johns Hopkins, NIH, Aberdeen Proving Ground and a growing biotech and cyber industry.
Between two big cities
Live in Maryland and work in Washington, DC or Baltimore by car, MARC train or Metro, with BWI Airport in the middle.
The Chesapeake Bay
Boating, beaches and waterfront towns, plus Atlantic beaches in Ocean City and mountain lakes out west.
Choices for every budget
From city rowhomes and suburban townhomes to farms, waterfront homes and mountain cabins, often less than comparable homes near DC.
Relocating is a big move. We make it simple.
Moving To Maryland is run by Ron Howard & The Greatest Moves Team at Everything Real Estate, a Baltimore-based brokerage. We help people moving to Maryland from across the country figure out where to live, tour homes in person or by video, and close with confidence, even if you’re buying before you arrive.
Call or text Ron: (443) 414-3338
Office: (443) 596-0846
Watch before moving to Maryland
Ron Howard & Friends tour Maryland’s counties, cities and neighborhoods on the Moving To Maryland YouTube channel. Want to see a specific area? Request an episode and we’ll make it.
Moving to Maryland: frequently asked questions
Is Maryland a good place to live?
For many people, yes. Maryland has one of the highest median household incomes in the country, strong job sectors in government, defense, health care and biotech, easy access to Washington, DC and Baltimore, and the Chesapeake Bay. The trade-offs are higher housing costs near DC and taxes that are higher than in some neighboring states.
How much does a home cost in Maryland?
The statewide median sold price was about $435,000 in September 2026. Prices vary widely: the counties closest to DC and the waterfront areas around Annapolis cost the most. Western Maryland and much of the Eastern Shore are the most affordable.
What are the best counties to live in Maryland?
It depends on what you need. Howard and Montgomery counties are known for top-rated schools, Anne Arundel and Calvert for waterfront living, Prince George’s, Charles and Frederick for value within reach of DC, and Baltimore County and Harford for suburban space near Baltimore.
More about moving to Maryland
What are taxes like in Maryland?
Maryland’s state income tax runs from 2% to 5.75% for most households, with higher 6.25% and 6.5% brackets for very high earners. Each county adds its own local income tax of 2.25% to 3.30%, and property tax rates are set county by county. As a result, where you live changes your total tax bill.
Where should I live in Maryland if I work in Washington, DC?
Montgomery and Prince George’s counties have Metro service into DC. Anne Arundel, Howard, Charles and Frederick counties are popular with commuters who drive or take MARC trains, and often offer more space for the money.
How do I start planning a move to Maryland?
Start by narrowing down two or three counties using our county guides, get pre-approved with a lender, and then talk with a local agent who can help you compare neighborhoods and tour homes, in person or by video.
Sources: Statewide median sold price: Realtor.com Maryland market data, September 2026. Population, income and commute data: U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts. Income tax rates: Maryland state and county rates for 2026. Figures change over time; verify details with a licensed professional before making decisions.