There’s a lot to think about when moving to Maryland from Washington DC. From differences in the cost of living to insurance premiums along with getting over to the Maryland DMV to transfer your Washington DC driver’s license and vehicle registration, you’ll want to do some budgeting and planning before you make the move.
Relocalate.com has done the heavy lifting for you. Our expert researchers have compiled the key things you need to know when moving to Maryland from Washington DC. Find out what you can expect to pay in federal and Maryland state taxes, whether you’ll be spending more or less in key cost of living categories, and how long you’ll have to get a new driver’s license and car registration. Plus, you can even get a head start on saving the most money when you move by comparing free quotes for health coverage, car insurance, home/renters insurance, and more.
License & Registration
Transfer your Washington DC driver’s license to Maryland within 60 days.
Transfer your vehicles & get Maryland license plates within 60 days.
On this page, you’ll be able to:
- See how the cost of living compares for Maryland and Washington DC.
- Estimate how much more or less you can expect to pay in state and federal income taxes after you move to Maryland.
- Find out what to expect when it comes to Maryland property taxes, buying a home, and home insurance premiums.
- Learn whether you’ll be able to save some money or have to spend a little more in key cost of living categories including groceries, transportation, housing, and healthcare.
- Find out what you’ll need to do with the Maryland DMV to transfer your Washington DC driver’s license and vehicle registration. (And how long you’ll have to do it.)
- Estimate how much it will cost to move from Washington DC to Maryland.
- BONUS: Start saving money today by comparing free quotes for all your new insurance policies in Maryland.
Moving to Maryland from Washington DC Checklist
- 1. Estimate the cost of the move.
- 2. Update your insurance policies.
- 3. Be prepared to transfer your Washington DC license & registration to Maryland.
- 4. Budget and prepare for cost of living changes.
- 5. Change your address and forward your mail through USPS.
- 6. Register to vote.
- 7. Update your new address with your banks, loans, and other accounts.
- 8. Set up your utilities and services at your new home.
Find some more tips and to-dos for Moving to Maryland here.
Cost of Moving from Washington DC to Maryland
Unfortunately moving can be expensive. Moving to a brand new state usually comes with some extra costs.
Use this moving cost calculator to get a rough idea of how much your move from Washington DC to Maryland will cost.
The rough distance between Maryland and Washington DC is 16 miles. We’ll use that for our calculations. Select the size of your home that you’ll be moving to get an idea of the costs.
Moving Cost Calculator: Washington DC to Maryland
Remember, this is just a rough estimate. The cost of your move will vary depending on the company you choose, your belongings, and other circumstances.
Update Your Insurance Policies for Coverage in Maryland
Don’t wait! Update your car insurance coverage for Maryland
When you move to Maryland, you’ll want to make sure that you’ll be covered for all of life’s unexpected situations. That means updating your insurance policies with your new address and the minimum requirements for Maryland.
Maryland Car Insurance
One of the first policies you’ll want to update when you move is going to be your car insurance coverage.
In Maryland, the minimum liability coverage is $30,000 bodily injury liability per person, $60,000 bodily injury liability per accident, $15,000 property damage liability per accident, $30,000 uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage per person, $60,000 uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage per accident, $15,000 uninsured/underinsured property damage coverage per accident.
Average Cost of Minimum Coverage
$815
On average, the annual premium for a minimum liability coverage policy is higher in Maryland. You’ll likely pay more for car insurance in Maryland than you did in Washington DC.
Average Cost of Full Coverage
$1,971
On average, the annual premium for a full coverage auto insurance policy is lower in Maryland. You’ll likely pay less for full coverage in Maryland than you did in Washington DC.
Do you own a motorcycle?
Maryland Home & Renter’s Insurance
Whether you’ll rent or own your new home, you’ll want to make sure you have the right coverage when you arrive.
Let’s face it, accidents happen during a move. Make sure you have the coverage you need to protect your belongings and your house.
Average Cost of Homeowner’s Insurance
$1,164
You can usually expect that the annual premium for home insurance will be lower in Maryland. You’ll likely pay less for your home insurance policy in Maryland than you did in Washington DC.
Will you own or rent your home?
Maryland Health Insurance
You’ll also need to make sure that you and your family have health coverage once you arrive in Maryland.
If you’ll be keeping your job when you move, be sure to ask your employer about any implications for your current health insurance policy.
You’ll need to find out which hospitals and plans are available near your new home. Spend some time researching providers in your area.
Healthcare Costs in Maryland
Lower
Generally, healthcare costs are lower in Maryland. You’ll likely pay less for healthcare in Maryland than you did in Washington DC.
Will you be keeping health insurance with your current employer?
Find Health Coverage ➜
Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) Tasks when Moving to Maryland from Washington DC
Transfer your Washington DC Driver’s License
within 60 days.
After you’ve moved to Maryland, you’ll need to get a valid driver’s license.
Transfer your Washington DC Car Registration
within 60 days.
You’ll also need to transfer your vehicle registration and get Maryland license plates.
When you become a resident of Maryland, you’ll need to transfer your Washington DC driver’s license and vehicle registration.
You’ll also need to update your car insurance policies so that they meet the minimum requirements for Maryland. Sometimes this can come with a rate hike, so it’s always a smart idea to shop around.
The minimum liability coverage you’ll need in Maryland is $30,000 bodily injury liability per person, $60,000 bodily injury liability per accident, $15,000 property damage liability per accident, $30,000 uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage per person, $60,000 uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage per accident, $15,000 uninsured/underinsured property damage coverage per accident.
You can start comparing car insurance quotes for Maryland for free right here on Relocalate.com.
Transfer Your Washington DC Driver’s License to Maryland
Minimum Age for a Maryland Driver’s License
18 years old
A standard Maryland driver’s license is available to residents who are at least 18 years old.
Maryland Driver’s License Expires
every 8 years
You’ll need to renew your driver’s license every 8 years.
Maryland Driver’s License Cost
$72.00
A driver’s license will cost around $72.00.
One of the first things you’ll want to do after becoming a resident of Maryland is to get a driver’s license.
In fact, new residents should apply for their Maryland driver’s license within 60 days.
In Maryland, driver’s licenses are issued by the MVA.
To apply, you’ll need to:
- Complete the Maryland Driver’s License Application.
- Surrender your Washington DC driver’s license.
- Present the necessary proof of identity and residency with your new Maryland address.
- Pass any required testing.
- Take a photo.
- Pay the driver’s license fee.
After applying and passing any necessary tests, you’ll receive a temporary paper license. The Maryland MVA will mail you your new license, and it should arrive within a few weeks.
For official information and for details about scheduling appointments, visit https://mva.maryland.gov/Pages/default.aspx.
Maryland Driver’s License Knowledge Exam
Total Questions on the Maryland Driver’s License Test
25 total questions
The Maryland knowledge exam will typically consist of 25 total questions that are based on the driver’s handbook.
Passing Score
88%
You’ll need to score 88% to pass the test.
When you transfer your Washington DC license to Maryland, you should be prepared to pass the driver’s license written exam.
While not every applicant will be required to take the test, it is still a good idea to brush up on traffic laws in Maryland.
Before you visit the MVA, take some time to study the official driver’s handbook for Maryland. While many traffic laws and safety rules are universal from state to state, there are some specifics that may be a little different.
Assuming your Washington DC driver’s license is valid and unexpired, you should not need to take the Maryland driving test.
Is your Washington DC driver’s license valid?
One potential hang up to be aware of is around the validity of your Washington DC driver’s license.
To make things as easy as possible, your Washington DC license should be valid when you apply for a license in Maryland.
Ideally what this means is that you should clear any issues with the Washington DC DMV BEFORE you move.
For example:
- If your Washington DC driver’s license is lost or damaged, you should replace it before moving.
- If your Washington DC driver’s license is suspended or revoked, you should try to reinstate it before you move.
If your Washington DC driver’s license is expired when you go to apply for your Maryland license, it’s possible that the MVA will treat it like a brand new application, which may require a written exam and a road test, plus any other requirements for new drivers.
The bottom line: Try to take care of any issues with your Washington DC driver’s license BEFORE you move and visit the Maryland DMV.
Transfer Your Car Registration from Washington DC to Maryland
If you’re going to bring your car with you when you move, you’ll also need to transfer your Washington DC registration to Maryland.
Vehicle registration and titles are handled by the Maryland MVA.
You can find more specific details for your vehicle registration and official information at https://mva.maryland.gov/Pages/default.aspx
Maryland Registration Fee Basis
weight-base
Maryland vehicle registration fees are generally calculated by weight-base.
Registration Base Fee Estimate
$135+
Additional fees may vary based on vehicle type as well as any local fees and taxes.
Maryland Registration Expiration
every year
In Maryland, you’ll need to renew your registration every year.
Front License Plates
Maryland requires that vehicles display a front license plate.
Vehicle Safety Inspections
There is typically no vehicle safety inspection required in Maryland.
Smog & Emissions Testing
Emissions testing is required biennially for some counties and Baltimore in Maryland.
New residents in Maryland are required to transfer their out-of-state vehicle registration within 60 days.
When moving to Maryland with vehicles from Washington DC, you should be prepared to:
- Complete an application for Maryland registration and title.
- Present your current registration documents from Washington DC.
- Provide any other necessary proof of ownership documents (title, lease agreement, lienholder information, etc.)
- Pass any necessary vehicle inspections required for Maryland registration.
- Have a valid Maryland insurance policy for your vehicles.
- Pay the registration fees.
Notify the Washington DC DMV
While it’s not always a requirement, it can be worthwhile to update your address with the Washington DC DMV and notify them that you have moved out of the state.
This can often be done on the DMV website, and will prevent you from receiving any renewal notices for your old driver’s license and registrations.
Taxes in Maryland vs Washington DC
Differences in taxes are a big consideration in any state to state move.
Unfortunately, it’s not all black and white. In order to get the full picture, it’s important to consider all of your potential tax burdens when moving from Washington DC to Maryland including state income tax, property taxes, and sales tax.
Plus, you’ll need to think about how the overall cost of living on key spending categories is going to compare. More on that below.
For example, if you’re a homeowner, it’ll be smart to look at both income tax differences, property tax burdens, as well as average home prices to get a more accurate idea of your tax savings or hike once you move to Maryland.
We’ll cover some key differences in your tax savings and tax hikes when moving to Maryland from Washington DC.
For simplicity’s sake, we’ll be comparing effective tax rates, which simplify the marginal tax rates and tax brackets in each state to look at the estimated average total tax you may be paying.
Note that your tax situation may be much different than the estimates provided here. Use these as a high-level comparison tool.
Federal & State Income Taxes when Moving to Maryland from Washington DC
Overall, you’ll likely be looking at an income tax hike when moving to Maryland from Washington DC.
Maryland Income Tax (effective rates)
4.28% (single) & 4.32% (joint)
Maryland has a state income tax with an effective rate of 4.28% for single filers, and 4.32% for married couples filing jointly.
Effective Rates: Federal + State Income Taxes
22.85%
On average, the effective income tax rate (state + federal) is higher in Maryland. You’ll likely pay more in income tax in Maryland than you did in Washington DC.
Tax Comparison Calculator
Effective income tax rates (Federal + State):
- Maryland: 22.85% (single), 22.97% (joint)
- Washington DC: 16.40% (single), 10.49% (joint)
In Maryland, your tax would be . In Washington DC, your tax would be .
You would pay more in than in .
When comparing your overall tax burdens between states, it can help to look at both the state and federal income tax rates.
Remember, this comparison is looking at the effective rates in order to simplify things.
Here’s a high level look at how your effective tax rates may be different after you move to Maryland from Washington DC
- State Income Tax (single filers): 4.28% in Maryland vs 4.73% in Washington DC
- State Income Tax (joint filers): 4.32% in Maryland vs 3.52% in Washington DC
- Federal + State Income Tax (single filers): 22.85% in Maryland vs 16.40% in Washington DC
- Federal + State Income Tax (joint filers): 22.97% in Maryland vs 10.49% in Washington DC
Sales Tax in Maryland vs Washington DC
Next, it’s helpful to consider the differences in sales tax.
Sales tax is a consumption tax you pay when you buy goods and services. It is typically calculated as a percentage of the final price you pay.
Note that many states have a state-wide sales tax and local governments and municipalities can charge an additional sales tax on top of that. This comparison looks at the state-wide sales tax.
Maryland Sales Tax
6%
Maryland has a state sales tax rate of 6%.
STATE_SALES_TAX_RATE is about the same in both Maryland and Washington DC.
Property Taxes in Maryland vs Washington DC
If you’re a homeowner, or plan to buy a home in Maryland, it’s also a good idea to take a look at the difference in property taxes and home values.
Maryland Property Tax Estimate
1.09%
The property tax rate is higher in Maryland. You’ll likely pay more for property taxes in Maryland than you did in Washington DC.
Home Prices in Maryland
$314,800
On average, the average home price is lower in Maryland. You’ll likely pay less for a house in Maryland than you did in Washington DC.
This is also a good time to back sure you are getting the best deal on your Maryland homeowner’s insurance policy.
How Does the Cost of Living Compare in Maryland vs Washington DC?
Cost of living is another major difference when moving to a brand new state.
Depending on the local industries, geography, region, and population, the price of different goods and services can vary greatly.
Now, the cost of living will also depend on your own lifestyle, spending habits, and which city you move to in Maryland.
Cost of living (COL) indexes are used to compare each state to the national average of 100. The difference between COL values higher or lower than 100 represent the percentage difference from the national average.
We can compare the cost of living indexes for Maryland and Washington DC to get a high level idea of whether we’ll be saving money or have to spend a bit more on the following categories:
- Overall Cost of Living.
- Groceries.
- Housing.
- Utilities.
- Transportation.
- Healthcare.
- Miscellaneous goods and service.
Overall, the cost of living in Maryland is
19.50% more expensive
than the national average, compared to 48.70% more expensive for Washington DC.
Maryland Cost of Living Index
119.5
National Avg: 100
On average, the cost of living is lower in Maryland. You’ll likely pay less for many things in Maryland than you did in Washington DC.
Cost of Groceries
8.50% more expensive
than the national avg.
Typically, the cost of groceries is higher in Maryland. You’ll likely pay more for groceries in Maryland than you did in Washington DC.
Housing Costs
52.20% more expensive
than the national avg.
Generally, the cost of housing (rent/mortgage/etc) is lower in Maryland. You’ll likely pay less for housing costs in Maryland than you did in Washington DC.
Maryland Utilities
9.20% more expensive
than the national avg.
The cost of utilities is typically lower in Maryland. You’ll likely pay less for your monthly utility bills in Maryland than you did in Washington DC.
Transportation Costs
0.20% more expensive
than the national avg.
On average, the cost of transportation is lower in Maryland. You’ll likely pay less on transportation in Maryland than you did in Washington DC.
Healthcare in Maryland
-3.80% cheaper
than the national avg.
Generally, healthcare costs are lower in Maryland. You’ll likely pay less for healthcare in Maryland than you did in Washington DC.
Miscellaneous Costs
8.50% more expensive
than the national avg.
The cost of miscellaneous goods and services are generally lower in Maryland. You’ll likely pay less for these things in Maryland than you did in Washington DC.
Relocalate.com Methodology
While big changes like moving to a new state can be exciting, we also know that any move can be stressful. That’s why we created Relocalate.com.
The data and comparisons on this page are designed to give you a high level look at what you can expect when moving from Washington DC to Maryland.
Our free moving tools and calculators are here to help you play around with the numbers so you can start working on a budget for your big move to Maryland.
We’ve crunched the numbers from census data, federal government resources, state and local data, as well as interviews and chats with people who’ve made the move from Washington DC to Maryland.
While there are many things we can’t control when moving to a new state, like the overall cost of living and housing prices, we’ve found that one of the single most effective ways to save money is by getting a better deal on your insurance policies.
That’s why we’ve partnered with trusted insurance providers and some of the best in Maryland to bring your free quote tools that you can access while you plan out your move.
Good luck! We wish you the best as you get settled into your home and start feeling like a Maryland local.