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Moving from Alabama to Maryland

A side-by-side comparison drawn from BLS, BEA, Census, FBI, and NOAA. Affordable Southern living, college-football devout, slower pace. vs. DC commuter belt, top public schools, Chesapeake Bay.

AL state flag
Living now

Alabama

Capital: Montgomery

Median household income $59,674 · winter low 35°F · 213 sunny days

Affordable Southern living, college-football devout, slower pace.

MD state flag
Moving to

Maryland

Capital: Annapolis

Median household income $98,461 · winter low 25°F · 198 sunny days

DC commuter belt, top public schools, Chesapeake Bay.

Maryland has an overall price level 105.0 (US avg = 100). Housing dominates the difference.

Overall price index
Alabama
88.8
Maryland
105.0
Maryland has 18% higher overall price level
Housing index
Alabama
61.8
Maryland
121.1
Maryland has 96% higher housing costs
Groceries index (modeled)
Alabama
97.2
Maryland
101.2
Maryland has 4.1% higher groceries
Utilities index (modeled)
Alabama
98.3
Maryland
100.7
Maryland has 2.5% higher utilities
Electricity rate
Alabama
17.2 ¢/kWh
Maryland
35.9 ¢/kWh
Maryland has 109% higher electricity
Transportation index (modeled)
Alabama
97.8
Maryland
101.0
Maryland has 3.3% higher transportation
Median home value
Alabama
$233,300
Maryland
$436,300
Maryland is 87% more expensive to buy a home
Median monthly rent
Alabama
$889/mo
Maryland
$1,470/mo
Maryland is 65% more expensive to rent

Sources: NOAA Climate Normals · EPA AirNow (live) state-level

Summer high 87°F · Winter low 25°F · 198 sunny days/yr.

Avg summer high
Alabama
91°F
Maryland
87°F
Maryland is 4.4% less summer highs
Avg winter low
Alabama
35°F
Maryland
25°F
Maryland is 29% less winter lows
Avg annual temperature
Alabama
63°F
Maryland
55°F
Maryland is 12% less annual temperature
Sunny days / year
Alabama
213
Maryland
198
Maryland has 7.0% lower sunny days
Annual precipitation
Alabama
56 in
Maryland
44 in
Maryland is 21% less annual precipitation
Air quality (live AQI)
Alabama
42
Maryland
43
Maryland has 2.4% higher AQI
Snow / year
Alabama
1 in
Maryland
28 in
Maryland is 2700% more annual snowfall

Get the full AlabamaMaryland report

Schools, healthcare, taxes, transportation, lifestyle, crime, family fit, move logistics, AI assistant, and 90-day timeline.

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Frequently asked

Is it cheaper to live in Maryland than Alabama?

Maryland's overall price level is roughly 105.1 (US avg = 100), vs about 87.9 for Alabama — based on BEA Regional Price Parities. Housing is the dominant driver of the difference. Run a comparison for the full, current breakdown.

What's the income tax difference?

Alabama tops out at 5% income tax. Maryland tops out at 6.5%.

How long do I have to register my vehicle in Maryland?

Most Maryland residents must register a vehicle within 30-60 days of moving. Check the piomover report for state-specific deadlines.

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