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Maryland

High tax burden · COL index 116

Wins 5 categories

VS

North Dakota

Moderate tax burden · COL index 98

Wins 10 categories

Maryland's top income tax rate is 5.75% vs North Dakota's 2.5%. Cost of living in Maryland (index 116) runs 18% higher than North Dakota (index 98). The median home in Maryland costs $420K vs $255K in North Dakota. Politically, North Dakota voted Republican in 2024 (R+33.0) while Maryland went Democratic (D+24.0).

Maryland
North Dakota

Taxes

5.75%
Income Tax (top rate)
2.5%
0.97%/yr
Property Tax Rate
0.88%/yr
6%
Sales Tax (avg)
6.97%
Yes
Social Security Tax
Yes
No
Estate Tax
Yes
As income
Capital Gains Tax
As income

Housing & Cost of Living

116
COL Index (100=avg)
98
$420K
Median Home Price
$255K
$1,950/mo
Median Rent (2BR/mo)
$1,100/mo
$2K/yr
Home Insurance (avg/yr)
$2K/yr

Crime & Safety

468
Violent Crime / 100K
285
1,734
Property Crime / 100K
1,779

Healthcare

#12 of 50
Healthcare Quality Rank
#27 of 50
77.4 yrs
Life Expectancy
78.8 yrs
6.5%
Uninsured Rate
7.5%
Yes
Medicaid Expansion
Yes

Education

#4 of 50
K-12 Quality Rank
#17 of 50
No
School Choice / Vouchers
No

Childcare

$1,850/mo
Avg Infant Care / mo
$1,050/mo

Utilities & Daily Costs

$145/mo
Avg Energy Bill / mo
$125/mo
$580/mo
Avg Groceries / mo
$470/mo
#33 of 50
Road Quality Rank
#1 of 50

Social Policy

A
Gun Laws Grade
F
D+24.0
2024 Presidential Margin
R+33.0

Category wins

5

Maryland

10

North Dakota

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People Also Ask

Why are people moving from North Dakota?

The study also revealed that the main reasons people moved out of North Dakota were for a new job/company transfer (63%) and retirement (25%). Of those who moved into the state, about 58% came for work.

Is it worth living in Maryland?

High Quality of Life Maryland offers a unique lifestyle advantage. Residents have access to beaches along the Atlantic Ocean, waterfront living around the Chesapeake Bay, mountains in the western region, and major metropolitan areas within a short distance.

Is moving to North Dakota a good idea?

If you are asking whether moving to North Dakota is a good idea, the honest answer is that for the right person, it is one of the best decisions they will make. The quality of life, the financial opportunity, the community, and the space to actually breathe are real.

Is North Dakota mainly Republican or Democrat?

Nevertheless, one of the political consistencies of North Dakota is that it is a Republican state. Democrats have seldom occupied the governor's chair. Democrats have seldom held a majority of seats in both houses of the state legislature. There are some theories about why North Dakota is loyal to the Republican Party.

Full Maryland Profile →Full North Dakota Profile →

Your Priorities

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Quick Profiles

Dial in your priorities

Annual Income

$150K

Affects effective income tax rate

$0$500K$5M+

Retirement Savings

$0

Affects pension and SS tax burden

None$500K$10M+

Social Security

None

Annual Social Security benefit

None$150K/yr

My Property Is Worth

$400K

Affects property tax burden

Tax burden ↓$1M$50M+

Home Buying Budget

$400K

Compared to state median home price

Hard to find$250K$5M+

Monthly Rent Budget

Don't care

Compared to state median 2BR rent

Don't care$10K/mo

Job Market

Don't care

State unemployment and job growth

Don't careHot market

Airport Access

Don't care

Direct flight destinations from state hubs

Don't careMust have hub

City vs Country

Mid-size city

% urban population

Deep countryBig city

Sunshine

Don't care

Annual sunny days per state

Don't careMax sunshine

Food Scene

Don't care

Restaurants per 100K residents

Don't careWorld-class

Political Preference

Neutral

State's political lean

LiberalConservative

Gun Laws

Neutral

State gun law grade (Giffords)

Gun Control2A Freedom

Abortion Access

Neutral

State abortion access policy

Pro-ChoiceNeutralPro-Life

Community

None

Congregations per 100K residents

AvoidDon't careSeek

Sports & Entertainment

Don't care

Pro sports teams and major venues

Don't careMust have pro teams

Cannabis Laws

Neutral

State cannabis legality

Prefer LegalNeutralPrefer Prohibition

Retiree Community

Neutral

% population 65+ (Census)

Young areaRetirement-heavy

Dating Market

Neutral

% adults never-married (Census)

Singles sceneFamily community

Safety / Low Crime

Don't care

Violent crime rate per 100K (FBI)

Don't careVery safe

School Quality

Don't care

K-12 rank (Education Week)

Don't careTop-ranked

Healthcare Access

Don't care

Healthcare system rank (Commonwealth Fund)

Don't careTop-ranked

Childcare Affordability

Don't care

Cost of living proxy for childcare affordability

Don't careMust be affordable