Maryland vs Pennsylvania: taxes, cost of living, laws

Maryland

High tax burden · COL index 116

Wins 6 categories

Pennsylvania

Moderate tax burden · COL index 97

Wins 8 categories

Maryland's top income tax rate is 5.75% vs Pennsylvania's 3.07%. Cost of living in Maryland (index 116) runs 20% higher than Pennsylvania (index 97). Property taxes are meaningfully different: Pennsylvania averages 1.43% annually vs Maryland's 0.97%. The median home in Maryland costs $420K vs $270K in Pennsylvania.

Maryland

Pennsylvania

Taxes

5.75%

Income Tax (top rate)

3.07%

0.97%/yr

Property Tax Rate

1.43%/yr

Sales Tax (avg)

6.34%

Yes

Social Security Tax

Yes

Estate Tax

Yes

As income

Capital Gains Tax

As income

Housing & Cost of Living

116

COL Index (100=avg)

$420K

Median Home Price

$270K

$1,950/mo

Median Rent (2BR/mo)

$1,350/mo

$2K/yr

Home Insurance (avg/yr)

$1K/yr

Crime & Safety

468

Violent Crime / 100K

305

1,734

Property Crime / 100K

1,394

118

Sex Offenders / 100K

183

Homeless / 100K

108

Healthcare

#12 of 50

Healthcare Quality Rank

#17 of 50

77.4 yrs

Life Expectancy

77.1 yrs

6.5%

Uninsured Rate

6.5%

Yes

Medicaid Expansion

Yes

Education

#4 of 50

K-12 Quality Rank

#23 of 50

School Choice / Vouchers

Yes

Childcare

$1,850/mo

Avg Infant Care / mo

$1,350/mo

Utilities & Daily Costs

$145/mo

Avg Energy Bill / mo

$150/mo

$580/mo

Avg Groceries / mo

$510/mo

#33 of 50

Road Quality Rank

#37 of 50

Social Policy

Gun Laws Grade

D+24.0

2024 Presidential Margin

R+2.0

Category wins

Maryland

Pennsylvania

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