Arizona
Moderate tax burden · COL index 102
Wins 5 categories
Maryland
High tax burden · COL index 116
Wins 6 categories
Maryland's top income tax rate is 5.75% vs Arizona's 2.5%. Cost of living in Maryland (index 116) runs 14% higher than Arizona (index 102). Property taxes are meaningfully different: Maryland averages 0.97% annually vs Arizona's 0.51%. Politically, Arizona voted Republican in 2024 (R+5.0) 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
Arizona
6
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
Is it cheaper to live in Arizona or Maryland?
Cost of Living in Maryland vs Arizona Phoenix (our representative for Arizona) has a pretty close cost of living to Maryland, just 2% lower. Housing costs, however, are 16% higher and gas is 11% higher in Phoenix.
What are the drawbacks to living in Arizona?
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.
Why are Texans moving to Arizona?
Arizona's dry heat (Phoenix metro routinely runs 15 to 25 percent humidity in summer) makes 110°F feel measurably different — still hot, but without the oppressive humidity that defines Texas summer. For Texans who specifically dislike the humidity, the move to Arizona is a climate quality-of-life upgrade.