Moving to Ocean City, Maryland: A Comprehensive Relocation Guide

Considering moving to Ocean City, Maryland? This legendary beach resort offers boardwalk excitement, seasonal economy, and coastal lifestyle. With approximately 6,800 permanent residents in 2025 (swelling to 300,000+ in summer), Ocean City combines vacation atmosphere with year-round community and the Mid-Atlantic’s premier beach destination.

Demographic Profile to Consider If Moving to Ocean City:

Ocean City’s 2025 permanent population is approximately 6,800 residents in Worcester County, though summer population exceeds 300,000 with tourists and seasonal workers. The median age for year-round residents is around 48 years, with retirees, hospitality workers, business owners, and those choosing beach lifestyle. The permanent population is approximately 91% White, 5% Hispanic, 3% Black or African American, 1% Asian. Ocean City features legendary 3-mile boardwalk, 10 miles of Atlantic Ocean beaches, massive hotel and condo development, and serves as the Mid-Atlantic’s premier beach resort. The town attracts retirees seeking beach lifestyle, hospitality workers, entrepreneurs owning seasonal businesses, and those choosing ocean living over conventional careers. Ocean City appeals to those prioritizing beach lifestyle, accepting seasonal economy trade-offs, and choosing coastal living. The community balances tourism economy with year-round resident needs and maintaining beach character.

Cost of Living to Consider If Moving to Ocean City:

Ocean City offers high costs for beach living. Median home values range from $380,000 to $650,000+ in 2025, with oceanfront condos and properties commanding significant premiums. The median household income for permanent residents is approximately $52,000, reflecting seasonal employment patterns. Rental properties average $1,200 to $2,000+ monthly for year-round leases, with summer weekly rentals much higher. Maryland has progressive income tax 2%-5.75%. Property taxes are significant. Overall cost of living reflects beach resort pricing with high housing costs and tourist-driven prices. The town attracts those with retirement income, seasonal business owners, and those accepting service wages for beach lifestyle. Housing costs create challenges for year-round workers.

Economy and Job Market:

Ocean City’s economy revolves entirely around tourism and hospitality operating primarily Memorial Day through Labor Day. Major employers include hotels (hundreds of properties), restaurants (countless options), amusement attractions including rides and mini-golf, retail shops, and entertainment venues. The economy is extremely seasonal with summer creating massive employment and winter bringing slowdown. Many businesses close or reduce hours October-April. Typical industries include hospitality, retail, entertainment, and real estate. Wages reflect service industry levels. Year-round employment is limited. Many residents work multiple seasonal jobs or have winter employment elsewhere. The economy attracts seasonal workers, retirees not dependent on local employment, and business owners.

Recreation and Lifestyle:

Ocean City offers LEGENDARY 3-MILE BOARDWALK with amusements, shops, restaurants, Thrasher’s French Fries (iconic), Dolle’s Candyland, and Fisher’s Popcorn creating classic beach resort atmosphere. The town features 10 miles of beautiful Atlantic Ocean beaches, Trimper’s Rides and Amusements (oldest amusement park), Jolly Roger Amusement Park, countless mini-golf courses, and Ocean City Pier. Residents enjoy fishing (white marlin capital with massive tournaments), water sports, vibrant summer nightlife especially along Coastal Highway, numerous restaurants and bars, and beach lifestyle. The lifestyle is DRAMATICALLY SEASONAL revolving around summer tourism creating excitement and crowds followed by quiet winter when population drops dramatically. Year-round residents experience two completely different towns. The four-season climate features hot, humid summers attracting tourists and cold winters with quiet beaches. The community values tourism economy (understanding it supports everything), beach preservation, summer excitement balanced with appreciating peaceful winters, and maintaining resort character. Living in Ocean City means accepting extreme seasonal economy with summer frenzy and winter slowdown, tourism-driven character with crowds Memorial Day-Labor Day, service industry wages, high housing costs for beach living, hurricane risk, tourist-oriented businesses and pricing, limited year-round employment, and choosing beach lifestyle over career advancement while experiencing MID-ATLANTIC’S PREMIER BEACH RESORT with legendary boardwalk, beautiful Atlantic beaches, summer excitement and entertainment, fishing culture, year-round ocean access, and two distinct seasons creating unique lifestyle where summer tourism meets winter tranquility and beach living defines choosing coastal paradise over conventional life.

Healthcare and Services:

Ocean City residents access healthcare through Atlantic General Hospital and medical facilities. The healthcare infrastructure serves the permanent population and summer tourists.

Transportation:

Ocean City is accessed via U.S. Route 50 (major summer traffic corridor), Maryland Route 90, and Coastal Highway. Salisbury-Ocean City-Wicomico Regional Airport is 30 minutes away. Ocean City Transportation operates buses along Coastal Highway and boardwalk. Most residents use personal vehicles. Summer traffic is extremely congested. Typical travel times to DC/Baltimore are 3+ hours.

Conclusion:

Moving to Ocean City in 2025 offers Mid-Atlantic beach resort living with boardwalk excitement, seasonal lifestyle, and ocean access. The town’s combination of legendary boardwalk, beautiful beaches, and year-round coastal living makes it ideal for retirees, seasonal business owners, and those choosing beach lifestyle where summer tourism meets winter tranquility and Atlantic Ocean living defines the Mid-Atlantic’s premier beach destination.