Making Maryland Your Next Home: The Pros and Cons

The options become overwhelming when trying to find the perfect place to put down roots. Each state has unique opportunities and challenges, and Maryland is no different. Use this article as a compass to decide if Maryland’s blend is one you can live with. If you are moving to Maryland, this will help you know what to expect. 

The Pros of Life in Maryland

Maryland has many strengths that help locals have a high quality of life. They provide much to consider for those exploring the Old Line State. The best benefits of moving to Maryland are:

Economic Opportunities Abound

Diversity is the name of the game regarding Maryland’s economy. Maryland has federal stability from its shared borders with the District of Columbia. It also has a growing private sector that adds to the job opportunities.

Maryland’s job prospects for non-governmental work include sectors like biotechnology (Bethesda is known as a mini-hub for this industry), healthcare, and cybersecurity. There are the top three industries driving the Maryland economy. The state is a leader in research, particularly in the life sciences. Slightly less than one-third of its employment opportunities lie in professional and technical careers, including finance and insurance. This is the second-most of any state. Its ports also make it a leader in trade and logistics.

Find even more career opportunities tourism, agribusiness, and education sectors.

Of course, there is a bevy of governmental careers being right next to the nation’s capital. Defense and aerospace are just part of the landscape. Roles are also waiting in Social Security, the US Census Bureau, the National Institute of Health, and more. All these government jobs offer stability and good chances for career growth and innovation.

Thanks to all the federal job opportunities and the diversity of its economy, Maryland enjoys an unemployment rate that usually tracks under the national average. In June 2024, it was 2.8% compared to the US 4.1%.

Education for Every Stage of Life

An incredible number of 56 universities and colleges make Maryland among the top states for educational attainment. And these schools are prized for their academic excellence. They include top-ranked national colleges like Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore. The globally renowned research school is a leader in medicine, business, and public health.

Another choice is the widely respected University of Maryland at College Park. The second of the state’s nationally ranked colleges also cracks into the nation’s top 50. UM-College Park does have a reputation for its active student life, but its studies are equally rigorous. It has acclaimed education, engineering, and business programs.

These two schools serve local students and attract talent from across the world. Dozens of other public and private colleges across Maryland do the same. The choices span seminaries, technical colleges, private liberal arts schools, and public schools.

As for younger kids, Maryland does have access to quality education through its public school system. The educational options for K-12 covers magnet programs, top-rated Blue Ribbon Schools, and some of the nation’s most rigorous high schools.

A Melting Pot of Cultures

Maryland’s long settlement and migration history has created a cultural mosaic. By one measure, it’s the fifth-most diverse state in the country!

Cities such as Baltimore and Annapolis are known for their cultural diversity and the unique attractions they bring to the state. The District of Columbia on Maryland’s border is a hub for international embassies, bringing people from around the world to Maryland.

This melting pot has created a dynamic setting for many cultural experiences. Maryland’s many multicultural events and festivals are emblematic of this diversity, with top festivals being:

• The Maryland Italian Festival, BelAir
• Kunta Kinte Heritage Festival, Annapolis
• DelFest, Oakland
• Caribbean Carnival, Baltimore
• Fiesta Latina, Crownsville
• Greek Food Festival, varied
• American Indian Festival, Upper Marlboro

The D.C. Connection

Living in Maryland means the political epicenter of the United States is in your backyard. You may even be looking to live in the Washington DC metro suburbs. Life here is a delicious of cultural scene unmatched in the US. You have the renowned Smithsonian museums and historic sites, many of which are free to visit. It has an incredible food scene, too, fueled by global flavors and its diverse residents.

DC is a fascinating place to experience and one of the nation’s top tourist destinations. Maryland residents go whenever they want. Plus, its presence opens the door to some incredible careers that make a difference in our nation.

Outdoor Enthusiasts Rejoice

If time in nature is high on your list, Maryland will not disappoint outdoor enthusiasts. The state’s diversity of landscapes includes the Appalachian Mountains in the west and the Chesapeake Bay in the east. So take your pick of ways to play outside. Its Eastern Shore is a beautiful landscape of small seaside towns and quiet retreats for sailing and road biking. The mountains have hiking trails and primitive camping. Sail from Annapolis or Baltimore. Even in the core cities, Maryland has made room for green spaces through numerous parks and bike systems. 

Residents of Maryland enjoy hiking, skiing, and sailing nearby. Find sandy beaches at Ocean City within a few hours’ drive, perfect for cooling off in the summer months. Escape to places like Assateague Island with its famous wild horses. Even more outdoor activities await in the Shenandoah Valley and Pennsylvania Wilds. This accessibility to outdoor recreation opportunities inside and outside Maryland is a definite plus.

An Abundance of Historical Sites

History buffs will love exploring Maryland. It’s not just DC, which has government monuments to visit. The Old Line State has been at the American crossroads since the nation’s infancy, and it shows. Many sites and landmarks memorialize the American Revolution and the Civil War. 

Annapolis’ colonial cobblestone streets are a step back in time. Learn the rich history of St. Mary’s City, one of America’s oldest towns. Walk the hallowed grounds of Civil War battlefields and the Fort, where Francis Scott Key found inspiration to write the Star-Spangled Banner. It seems a site of historical significance is at every turn in Maryland.

Healthcare That Ranks Among the Best

A major pro of living in Maryland is the access to high-quality healthcare. The renowned Johns Hopkins Hospital ranks among the nation’s best for health care, research, and outcomes. It’s cutting-edge care close at hand.

Maryland has made a commitment to healthcare excellence is all ways. Not only do you have a bevy of healthcare providers who are leaders in their field, but the “All-Payer Model” keeps its healthcare costs lower than in many other states. That’s a one-two punch of quality and affordability.

The Roads Well Traveled

Maryland’s transportation infrastructure is amongst the most developed in the nation. Its extensive network of highways, railways, and airports makes getting around a breeze. Notably Amtrak’s northeast corridor runs all the way up the East Coast. Residents can use it to reach Baltimore, Philadelphia, New York, and Boston.

And its city metros have extensive public transit, particuarly in DC and Baltimore. A combination of rail and bus moves millions of people around every month. In some areas, it’s much more convenient to ditch the car for walking and public transit.

Delicious Dining

You’ve heard of wine trails and brewery trails, but how about seafood trails? With the abundance of the Chesapeake Bay, Maryland is a hotspot for seafood. The star of the show are those Chesapeake Bay blue crabs, prized for their sweet and buttery flavor. Try them all kind of ways, from steamed crabs to chopped into famous crab cakes spiced with Old Bay Seasoning. They even make crab chips! Wander the Eastern Shore’s seafood trail to find your favorite roadside crab stand.

But your dining options are more than crabs and fish. Maryland has a long-running agricultural heritage that supplies its restaurant scene. Combine the fresh-grown produce with the diverse urban centers, and you’ve got the world’s flavors on your plate. Washington, DC, is as known for its brunch culture and restaurants as it is for politics.

The Cons of Life in Maryland

While Maryland shines in many respects, it’s not without its flipsides. Knowing and preparing for the challenges is as important as liking the state’s highlights. Here’s the downside to daily life.

The Cost of Living

One upfront drawback of Maryland is its cost of living, which often exceeds the national average. For 2023, the state averaged 16% above the national indexed average living costs.

The more urban centers like those around Washington, DC, have costs of living that run even higher. Take the suburb Silver Spring, where residents spent 38% more than the national average. These metro communities are notorious for their higher price tag. It’s a combination of everything: higher median home prices, transportation, child care, and groceries. So, while you’re living closer to cultural attractions, your household budget will need to be higher to factor in paying for your essentials.

The Traffic Tango

Maryland does offer extensive public transportation options like the MARC train and the Baltimore Metro. But, they may not cover as much ground as in other states.

That means residents turn to the roads. Part of Maryland, especially those close to DC, are infamous for traffic congestion. Rush hour is so bad that Maryland ranked as the fifth-worst state to drive in for 2023.

Long commute times, whether by car or public transit, are an unfortunate reality for many residents. Knowing traffic patterns and alternative routes is essential. It keeps your sanity in Maryland’s busy urban areas.

Away from Washington, DC, and Baltimore, you’ll need a car to get around as public transportation becomes less available. For those in western Maryland or the Eastern Shore, a vehicle is a must.

The Weather Rollercoaster

Maryland’s climate can be as dynamic as its economy. Expect hot and humid summers and biting cold winters. Also, be ready for curveballs in the form of severe weather events like hurricanes and nor’easters. The Chesapeake Bay means more of the state experiences humid conditions all year. That moderates the Eastern Shore region, but makes the summers sticky. Over in western Maryland with its mountains, heavy snowfalls can happen. Even Washington DC can have a blizzard drop inches of snow, snarling its public transit system.

Adapting to the seasonal extremes and staying prepared for unexpected weather patterns is an integral part of life in the state.

The Taxing Truth

Living in Maryland might mean parting with a significant chunk of your earnings. The state’s individual income taxes ranked the 12th highest in the US for 2022. It is a progressive income tax system starting at 2% and rising to 5.75% for high-income households. Layer onto the income taxes from the local counties and cities, and it increases your expenditures. Property taxes do run in the middle of the road, but check where you live. A lower property tax rate but a higher median home price means you could still pay a lot for property taxes. That can impact your financial planning.

Keeping an Eye on Crime

Certain pockets of Maryland’s major cities, notably Baltimore, have higher-than-average crime rates. Overall, Maryland has a higher violent crime rate than national averages (5.3 to 4), but its property crime rate was below national rates in 2023.

The state’s reported violent crime rates per capita were the eighth highest in the US. Broader areas of the state are safe and family-friendly. Places like Bowie, Easton, and Frederick enjoy low crime rates.

Environmental Crossroads

Natural beauty is around the turn in Maryland, but environmental challenges beset the state. The Chesapeake Bay, in particular, has been a focus of cleanup efforts due to pollution and water quality issues. Air pollution can be a summer problem around the major metros.

Making the Decision That’s Right for You

Deciding whether Maryland is the right place for you to call home is a personal choice. Weighing the pros and cons of Maryland will provide a roadmap to what living in Maryland could mean for you and your family. In the end, it’s about finding a balance between what you value most and the lifestyle you desire.