Alaska
Low tax burden · COL index 126
Wins 5 categories
Maryland
High tax burden · COL index 116
Wins 7 categories
Alaska has no state income tax. Maryland's top rate is 5.75%. Cost of living in Alaska (index 126) runs 9% higher than Maryland (index 116). The median home in Maryland costs $420K vs $340K in Alaska. Politically, Alaska voted Republican in 2024 (R+13.0) while Maryland went Democratic (D+24.0).
Taxes
Housing & Cost of Living
Crime & Safety
Healthcare
Education
Childcare
Utilities & Daily Costs
Social Policy
Category wins
5
Alaska
7
Maryland
Run the full slider tool to score these states against your specific income, home value, retirement, and lifestyle priorities.
Score For My Profile →People Also Ask
Do you get $1000 for living in Alaska?
Alaska has one of the longest-running incentive programs in the country: the Permanent Dividend Fund. Started in 1976, it pays every resident an annual stipend as long as they lived in Alaska during the previous calendar year. The amount depends on the state's annual revenue, but averages around $1,600.
Why are residents leaving Maryland?
Maryland is losing residents to lower-cost states at a high rate. While families pack their bags, citing crushing taxes and costs, state and local leaders are doubling down on their current policies.
What salary do you need to live comfortably in Alaska?
Typical Expenses
How much bigger is Alaska than Maryland?
You could fit Maryland into Alaska 53 times! One-fifth the size of the Lower 48, Alaska is bigger than Texas, California, and Montana combined! Alaska is also far-flung: 10.1 times wider (east to west) and 11.2 times taller (north to south) than Maryland.