Maryland or Virginia - Which is a better state for you?
Published: November 02, 2022
By Eva Johnson
When D.C. residents decide to move out of the city, many struggle to choose between Maryland and Virginia. To help you with your decision, read on to discover more about the economy, school systems, transportation, politics, and cost of living in each state.
Maryland or Virginia
- Maryland or Virginia – Which state has a better job market and economy?
- Traffic and transportation systems – Which state is better connected?
- Are you relocating with children? Choose the state with the best school system.
- Where should you move if you want to retire and pay fewer taxes?
- Which state is more affordable?
- Which state has more beautiful parks and scenery?
- Make a decision and search for the most experienced movers near you
Maryland or Virginia - Which state has a better job market and economy?
When it comes to a promising job market and a steady economy, Virginia has more to offer than Maryland. The statistics show that the unemployment rate in Virginia is 2.6%, whereas Maryland’s unemployment rate currently stands at 4.3%.
There are no new tech firms opening positions in the Old Line State, but many are choosing Northern Virginia instead. For example, one can find jobs at Nestel, Boeing, Amazon, and Raytheon in Northern Virginia.
Richmond, Virginia, has many branches of financial institutions, such as Bank of America, Truist, Capital One, and Wells Fargo. Genworth Financial, an insurance company, also has its headquarters in Richmond.
The Old Dominion’s urban sprawl and successful job centers are a better state if you are looking for opportunities to climb the career ladder.
Traffic and transportation systems - Which state is better connected?
The Old Dominion is better at solving traffic congestion and plans to expand its highways and improve transportation systems as new people arrive.
Maryland also has a solid transportation system, but the Baltimore region has been affected by the growth of traffic jams in metropolitan areas. Commuters can rely on the MTA (The Maryland Transit Authority,) which offers local buses, metro subway, light rail, and train services.
Virginia is a better option if you are a driver because of its improved highway network. Still, if you rely on public transportation, Maryland efficiently offers everything you will need to get from one location to another.
• How can you commute if you work in D.C.?
Before investing in moving services and packing your valuable belongings, decide which state is right for you if you keep your job in Washington, D.C. The nation’s capital is easily accessible from both states with public transportation. People living in Maryland use yellow, green, red, blue, silver, and orange lines to go to D.C. One can find the well-known North Bethesda station on the red line, which many use to get to the city. Commuters from Virginia rely on the blue, yellow, and silver lines.
Drivers in Maryland have easier access to the city since they don’t have to cross the bridge and pay tolls. There are fewer routes from Virginia into the city, so many will most likely face traffic jams as well.
Are you relocating with children? Choose the state with the best school system.
Public school systems in Maryland and Virginia are considered excellent. According to WalletHub’s data on school systems in the U.S., MD ranked fifth with a score of 60.6 points, while the Old Dominion ranked fourth with a score of 62.79. The study focused on academic performance, graduation rate, reading and math scores, ACT and SAT scores, and the number of violent incidents and shootings.
• How to check the ranking of a particular school?
Make sure you know everything about the school your child will be attending before your movers load their truck with all your belongings. We recommend searching for public or private schools online on the Niche website. You can check the ranking and comments of residents from that area, where individuals usually share the advantages and downsides of a particular school.
Where should you move if you want to retire and pay fewer taxes?
You can expect high taxes in both Maryland and Virginia. Although the taxes are not as high as in Washington, D.C., you can expect to pay the maximum rate of 5.75% in Virginia when you earn over $17,000, which is quite costly. On the other hand, one must make $250,000 in Maryland to pay the 5.75% rate.
Moreover, one needs to pay taxes for pensions – therefore, both states may be unsuitable for retirees. However, social security benefits in the Old Dominion and Maryland are not taxed, while withdrawals from retirees’ accounts are only partially taxed.
Still, Virginia is a better option regarding taxes and retirement for a straightforward reason – no estate and inheritance tax. Maryland is the only state in the U.S. with an inheritance and estate tax.
Which state is more affordable?
There is no denying that both Maryland and Virginia have high living costs. In Baltimore, Maryland, you can expect the rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the city center to be $1,500, while the same apartment outside the city would cost $1,300 per month. Silver Spring apartments are a bit more expensive, with the rent for one-bedroom apartments being $1,880.
Another big city in MD is Frederick, and the rent prices are even higher in this area. According to Numbeo, a one-bedroom apartment costs $1,600 per month.
We see almost the same prices in cities such as Alexandria and Richmond in Virginia. One will pay $1,500 per month for a one-bedroom apartment in Richmond, while in Alexandria, it costs even more, about $2,500.
Which state has more beautiful parks and scenery?
You can find beautiful parks and incredible scenery in both states. In Maryland, the Appalachian Trail near the Washington Monument State Park is famous for hiking. Also, Gunpowder Falls State Parks is located on 18,000 acres in Baltimore and Hartford counties.
One can visit parks such as First Landing, Douthat, Westmoreland, and Fairy Stone in Virginia. They have been ranked as the best in the entire U.S., which speaks volumes about the natural beauty of this state. People use them as a place for long weekend festivals and campfire cooking.
Therefore, pack your hiking gear wherever you choose to relocate, or at least leave them in the safe Wizard Movers’ storage space!
Make a decision and search for the most experienced movers near you
Maryland and Virginia don’t vary too much in certain aspects such as cost of living, school systems, and natural beauty. The only areas where the Old Dominion proves to be better are the taxes, job market, and traffic.
It should come down to your preferences – are you interested in a place that has a more industrial feel? Pick Virginia. But if you’d instead opt for a suburban neighborhood feel, Maryland should be your top pick.
Once you know what will suit you, search for the best local movers near you. Wizard Movers are the most professional and experienced local movers to make your relocation smooth and efficient. Receive all the necessary information from our superb moving coordinators and prepare for an effortless move!
About the author
Eva Johnson
Digital nomad born in New York but currently living online, Eva knows everything there is to know about packing and moving.
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