Alabama vs Maryland: taxes, cost of living, laws

Alabama

Moderate tax burden · COL index 87

Wins 7 categories

Maryland

High tax burden · COL index 116

Wins 8 categories

Cost of living in Maryland (index 116) runs 33% higher than Alabama (index 87). Property taxes are meaningfully different: Maryland averages 0.97% annually vs Alabama's 0.39%. The median home in Maryland costs $420K vs $218K in Alabama. Politically, Alabama voted Republican in 2024 (R+28.0) while Maryland went Democratic (D+24.0).

Alabama

Maryland

Taxes

Income Tax (top rate)

5.75%

0.39%/yr

Property Tax Rate

0.97%/yr

9.22%

Sales Tax (avg)

Yes

Social Security Tax

Yes

Estate Tax

As income

Capital Gains Tax

As income

Housing & Cost of Living

COL Index (100=avg)

116

$218K

Median Home Price

$420K

$1,050/mo

Median Rent (2BR/mo)

$1,950/mo

$2K/yr

Home Insurance (avg/yr)

$2K/yr

Crime & Safety

547

Violent Crime / 100K

468

2,247

Property Crime / 100K

1,734

194

Sex Offenders / 100K

118

Homeless / 100K

Healthcare

#41 of 50

Healthcare Quality Rank

#12 of 50

73.2 yrs

Life Expectancy

77.4 yrs

11.2%

Uninsured Rate

6.5%

Medicaid Expansion

Yes

Education

#44 of 50

K-12 Quality Rank

#4 of 50

Yes

School Choice / Vouchers

Childcare

$820/mo

Avg Infant Care / mo

$1,850/mo

Utilities & Daily Costs

$155/mo

Avg Energy Bill / mo

$145/mo

$410/mo

Avg Groceries / mo

$580/mo

#25 of 50

Road Quality Rank

#33 of 50

Social Policy

Gun Laws Grade

R+28.0

2024 Presidential Margin

D+24.0

Category wins

Alabama

Maryland

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