10 Things to Know Before Moving From Texas To Maryland

10 Things to Know Before Moving From Texas To Maryland

As the 10th biggest contributor of new residents to Maryland in 2019, Texas is one of the top feeder states to this Mid-Atlantic state. From beautiful beaches to delicious blue crab, from small-town charm to 4 gorgeous seasons, this “Little America” has some big appeal. Here is a look at 10 of the most important things to know before moving the 1,500 miles from Texas to Maryland.Baltimore city, Maryland, USA. Mount Vernon Historic District.

Driver’s License and Registration Information

Obtaining a Maryland driver’s license and registering your vehicle in the state are two of the most important things to do when you land in your new home. The state is fairly generous, with a 60-day window to get these tasks done. To transfer your license, simply bring the out-of-state license to your local MVA branch and take a vision test. You will need to surrender your out-of-state license.

To transfer your registration, you will need to bring the appropriate documents to your local MVA branch and pay an excise tax. If you apply within the 60-day window and meet certain requirements, the state may charge you a flat fee of $100. Otherwise, you will pay an excise tax of 6% on the assessed value of your vehicle. Here are some of the documents you may need to present:

  • Proof of ownership
  • Application
  • Maryland safety inspection certificate

Gun Laws

When moving to Maryland from Texas, you will find a distinct change in approach to gun laws. Maryland is much stricter than Texas when it comes to buying, selling, concealing, and open carrying handguns. Most significant? It does not honor permits from any other states, meaning you will have to obtain a Maryland Wear/Carry Handgun Permit to carry your weapon concealed or in the open, regardless of what permits you hold in Texas.

Here are some of the other  highlights of this state’s gun laws:

  • You must attend a 16-hour training course to get your WCHP permit.
  • You must receive 8 additional hours of training every time you renew your WCHP permit.
  • A permit to purchase, background check, and firearms registration are required to purchase a handgun from a private seller.
  • The handguns allowed for sale in the state are restricted.
  • You are not allowed to carry a gun in certain areas, such as rest areas and state parks.

Politics

If you are accustomed to the conservative bent of most of Texas, you should prepare for a shock when you relocate to Maryland. This little state is strongly Democratic, with a more than 30-year history of voting for progressive candidates and Presidents.

However, this Democratic bent is limited primarily to the Baltimore area, which casts so many votes it often overcomes the Republican-leaning trends of its other cities and towns. As a result, if you desire a more conservative feel, you may want to live in one of the state’s western or Eastern Shore locales instead of closer to the Baltimore area.

Taxes

Maryland’s taxes may initially appear appealing to your wallet. The state sales tax is only 6 percent, as compared to 6.25 percent in Texas (plus local sales taxes, which can raise that number to 8.25 percent). Property taxes also tend to be lower in Maryland.

However, when you compare the overall tax burden of the two states, you will be paying more in Maryland. This little state has a big tax burden of 9.47 percent, compared to Texas’ 8.22 percent.

Sports

Baltimore, Maryland - December 1, 2018: Signs advertising the Baltimore Ravens football team in downtown Baltimore Maryland

Texas’ statewide passion for sports, both college and professional, is hard to beat. If you are a diehard Cowboys fan, Houston Astros enthusiast, or college sports follower, you may need to adjust your expectations slightly when moving to Maryland from Texas.

The good news is that moving to the Baltimore area should yield some exciting sports, and connect you with dedicated sports fans. The city is home to both the MLB team the Orioles and the NFL team the Ravens. And, since neither team is a major Texas rival, you can cheer them on with a clean conscience!

Education

Kids interacting with each other in library at school

When it comes to education, it is hard to beat the public schools in Maryland. Ranked 5th in the nation, as opposed to Texas’ ranking of 33rd. That means that your children can enjoy an exceptional, free education from kindergarten through 12th grade. That makes moving from Texas to Maryland an appealing choice for families with kids.

You can also expect to find some high-quality institutions of higher education in your new state. Maryland is home to renowned schools such as Johns Hopkins University and the University of Maryland.

Jobs and Cost of Living

While Maryland’s job market depends in part on where you settle, the Baltimore area tends to thrive. In particular, jobs are abundant at the area’s many universities and healthcare centers. Expect to enjoy an average salary of $62,510 – higher than the national average. You can also find an unemployment rate lower than the national average, making it less stressful to find work that will support you in your new home.

A higher salary will serve you well in Maryland, thanks to a cost of living that is about 11 percent higher than the national average and about 17 percent higher than that of Texas. You will pay less for healthcare, but much more for housing in your new state. The median home price is $361,900 as opposed to $243,600 in Texas.

Demographics

BALTIMORE, USA - JUNE 12, 2013: People visit Inner Harbor in Baltimore. Inner Harbor is a historic seaport and modern tourist attraction in Baltimore, the largest city in the state of Maryland.

Maryland has a much smaller population than Texas, but it boasts huge diversity. Ranked the 8th most diverse state in America in 2022 by WalletHub, the state earns high marks for religious, birthplace, and educational diversity in particular. And, as the East Coast’s most diverse state, less than 50 percent of the population is white. That makes this state a welcoming place to settle regardless of your ethnicity, religion, educational status, and more.

Weather

The warm climate of Texas will change when you move to Maryland from the Lone Star State. Your new home will boast four distinct seasons with 213 sunny days on average, as opposed to the 234 sunny days you see in Dallas. You should also expect cooler temperatures in the summer (But still hot, at more than 88 degrees), cooler winters (with average lows below freezing), and lots more snow. Expect to be wowed by the beauty of both fall foliage and winter wonderlands.

Baltimore, MD, vs. Dallas, TX

Hands down, the most major city in Maryland is Baltimore. Here is a quick look at how this city compares to one of Texas’ big cities: Dallas.

Population:

Baltimore, despite being Maryland’s biggest city, is smaller than Dallas, with a population of about 586,000 compared to Dallas’ 1,343,000.

Diversity and Demographics:

Despite being smaller, Baltimore outperforms Dallas in diversity, with a smaller white population and a black population that is 38 percent bigger than that of Dallas. However, Dallas has a larger married population, while Baltimore appeals to single individuals.

Weather:

As explored above, Dallas weather is warmer and more uniform than Baltimore. Expect more seasons, more cool weather, and more snow in your new home.

If you are looking to move from Texas to Maryland, you need a mover who can make your relocation stress-free and help you focus on your transition, not the details of your move. Let Ward North American help with professional moving services, decades of experience, and a dedication to making your move stress-free.