Marylandincome tax up to 5.75%, 21st highest property tax, median home $420K
D+24 · High tax burden · COL index 116
5.75%
Income Tax
468
Violent Crime / 100K
77.4
Life Expectancy
$420K
Median Home
$1,850
Childcare / Mo
Maryland in plain English
Worth knowing before you move to Maryland
Maryland is the only state that levies both an estate tax and an inheritance tax, and its counties add their own income taxes of up to 3.2% on top of the state rate. Household income is the highest in the country, concentrated in the Washington suburbs of Montgomery and Howard counties. Social Security is not taxed and there is a pension exclusion for residents 65 and over.
What Maryland taxes, and what it doesn't
Maryland levies a graduated income tax that tops out at 5.75%. A household earning $75,000 pays an effective 4.7%, about $3,510 a year; at $150,000 the effective rate is 4.8%. Among the 41 states that tax income, Maryland has the 20th lowest effective rate at $100,000 of income.
Property tax runs 0.97% of home value a year, roughly $4,074 on the state's median home of $420K. The national effective rate is about 1.10%, and Maryland has the 21st highest rate of the 50 states.
Combined state and local sales tax averages 6.00%, the 11th lowest in the country (the state portion is 6%).
For retirees: Social Security benefits are not taxed, pension income is partly exempt, and an estate tax applies above $5 million and there is an inheritance tax on some heirs as well.
Capital gains are taxed as ordinary income.
Housing and the cost of living in Maryland
Maryland's cost of living index is 116, where 100 is the national average; that is the 8th most expensive of the 50 states.
The median home costs $420K, 38% above the national figure and the 15th highest among the states. A two-bedroom rents for about $1,950 a month.
Carrying costs matter as much as the price: home insurance averages $1,600 a year, flood coverage adds about $800 where it is needed, car insurance runs $2,040.
Budget $145 a month for electricity and gas, $580 a month in groceries for two, $1,850 a month for full-time infant care.
Safety, health and schools
Violent crime is 468 incidents per 100,000 residents in the FBI's 2023 Crime Data Explorer figures, above the median state (387); Maryland is the 13th most violent of the 50 by that measure. Property crime is 1,734 per 100,000.
Life expectancy is 77.4 years (County Health Rankings 2024). 6.5% of residents have no health insurance, and the state has expanded Medicaid. The Commonwealth Fund's 2023 scorecard ranks Maryland's health system 12th of 50.
Education Week's 2023 Quality Counts report ranks K-12 schools 4th in the country.
Politics, guns and social policy
Politically, Maryland is a solidly Democratic state that went to Harris by 24 points in 2024.
On guns, concealed-carry permits are may-issue, at the discretion of local authorities, and Giffords grades the state's gun laws A.
Abortion is protected by state law. Marijuana is legal for adults. Maryland is not a right-to-work state, and the minimum wage is $15.00 an hour.
Climate, risk and getting around
Natural disaster risk is moderate. The main hazards are hurricane, flood. Annual average air quality index is 40 (under 50 is good).
Maryland has a major hub airport, with about 90 nonstop destinations from its busiest airport.
Written from the figures on this page. Rankings compare the 50 states. Sources and years are listed with each figure below.
Largest counties in Maryland
State Profile
Maryland will change its laws. We'll email you when it does.
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Taxes
Sources: state revenue departments · Tax Foundation 2026 · income-tax brackets 2026
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Taxes
Sources: state revenue departments · Tax Foundation 2026 · income-tax brackets 2026
Income Tax
Property Tax
~$4,074/yr on median home
Sales Tax
Social Security
Pension / IRA
Estate Tax
Both estate AND inheritance tax
Inheritance Tax
⚠ Your heirs pay this tax on what you leave them — even if you have no estate tax. PA charges 4.5% to children from dollar one.
Capital Gains
Housing & Cost of Living
Sources: Zillow · Census ACS · iii.org and state insurers 2026 · WRLURI 2018 · Census 2024 (HOA)
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Housing & Cost of Living
Sources: Zillow · Census ACS · iii.org and state insurers 2026 · WRLURI 2018 · Census 2024 (HOA)
Price Level vs US (BEA)
Near US average (100)
Mortgages 90+ Days Late
FHFA, latest quarter
Cost of Living Index
National avg = 100
Median Home Price
Median Rent (2BR)
Home Insurance
Near national avg (~$1,900/yr)
Flood Insurance
Homestead Exemption
Home equity protected from creditors
Asset Protection
Homes in HOAs
HOAs are common (Census ACS 2024)
Zoning Restrictiveness
Among the most restrictive zoning in the nation (Wharton WRLURI 2018)
Short-Term Rentals (Airbnb)
No statewide STR law; local control.
Crime & Safety
Sources: FBI Crime Data Explorer 2023 · SafeHome registry counts 2025 · HUD PIT 2024
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Crime & Safety
Sources: FBI Crime Data Explorer 2023 · SafeHome registry counts 2025 · HUD PIT 2024
Violent Crime Rate
Near national avg
Property Crime Rate
Near national avg
Traffic Fatality Rate
Registered Sex Offenders
Among the lowest registry rates (SafeHome 2025)
Homeless Population
Low homelessness rate — 17% unsheltered (HUD 2024 PIT)
Healthcare
Sources: Commonwealth Fund 2023 · KFF · CDC
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Healthcare
Sources: Commonwealth Fund 2023 · KFF · CDC
State Healthcare Rank
Life Expectancy
Medicaid Expansion
Uninsured Rate
Education
Sources: Education Week 2023 · NCES · state statutes (school choice)
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Education
Sources: Education Week 2023 · NCES · state statutes (school choice)
College Completion Rate
College Scorecard, in-state institutions (mean)
Avg College Cost of Attendance
College Scorecard 2024
K-12 Quality Rank
Top 10 nationally
School Choice / Vouchers
HS Graduation Rate
Near national avg (~87%)
Pupil-Teacher Ratio
Near national avg (~16)
Childcare
Sources: Child Care Aware · Census ACS 2022
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Childcare
Sources: Child Care Aware · Census ACS 2022
Avg Infant Care (Full-Time)
Very expensive (national avg ~$1,200)
Utilities & Daily Costs
Sources: EIA (electricity, weekly gas) · USDA · eGRID 2022
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Utilities & Daily Costs
Sources: EIA (electricity, weekly gas) · USDA · eGRID 2022
Grid Carbon Intensity
Near US average (~820)
Avg Monthly Energy Bill
Electricity Rate
Near national avg (13¢)
Energy Mix
Avg Monthly Groceries
2-person household, moderate spending
Road Quality Rank
Airports & Travel
Sources: FAA · BTS
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Airports & Travel
Sources: FAA · BTS
Nonstop Destinations
From state's primary airport
Major Hub Airport
Top-25 US airport by passengers
Culture & Lifestyle
Sources: Census CBP · Brewers Association 2024 · Pollstar · AANR/TNS · AGA 2024
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Culture & Lifestyle
Sources: Census CBP · Brewers Association 2024 · Pollstar · AANR/TNS · AGA 2024
Urban Population
Highly urban — big city feel
Restaurant Density
Religious Congregations
Pro Sports Teams
NFL + NBA + MLB + NHL + MLS
Major Venues
Stadiums, arenas, amphitheaters (10K+ capacity)
Craft Breweries
2.5/100K residents — Solid scene
Craft Distilleries
Live Music
Baltimore crab shack culture; Rams Head venues; Heavy Seas and Union craft nationally known
Transportation
Sources: NHTSA FARS · FCC · insurance rate surveys 2024 · IIHS helmet laws 2026
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Transportation
Sources: NHTSA FARS · FCC · insurance rate surveys 2024 · IIHS helmet laws 2026
Car Insurance (Avg Annual)
Traffic Fatality Rate
Broadband Access
Work From Home
State residents who primarily work from home (ACS)
Social & Legal
Sources: Guttmacher · KFF · NCSL · state statutes 2026
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Social & Legal
Sources: Guttmacher · KFF · NCSL · state statutes 2026
Formal Volunteering Rate
AmeriCorps / Census CPS 2023 (US ~28%)
Votes in Local Elections
AmeriCorps / Census CPS 2023
Abortion Access
Legal to viability; state constitution protection
LGBTQ+ Protections
Marijuana
Minimum Wage
Right to Work
Sports Betting
Casino Gambling
Online Gambling
State Lottery
6 commercial casinos including MGM National Harbor. Online casino gambling launched 2023.
Age of Consent
Sex Education
Sex ed required by state
Medically Accurate Required
Nude Beaches & Naturist Clubs
Pine Tree Associates (Sandy Spring) · Chesapeake Naturists
Environment & Climate
Sources: EPA AQI · NOAA · FEMA National Risk Index
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Environment & Climate
Sources: EPA AQI · NOAA · FEMA National Risk Index
Air Quality (Annual AQI)
Near national avg
Natural Disaster Risk
Primary Hazards
Politics & Gun Laws
Sources: OpenElections 2024 · Giffords 2025 · state statutes
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Politics & Gun Laws
Sources: OpenElections 2024 · Giffords 2025 · state statutes
2024 Presidential Vote
Gun Laws
Carry Permit
Purchase Permit Required
Carry in Bars
Carry in Restaurants
Carry in Places of Worship
2023 alcohol-venue ban enjoined (Kipke v. Moore, 4th Cir. 2026); state law silent on worship.
Gambling
Jobs & Economy
Sources: BLS QCEW 2024 · BLS JOLTS 2024 · BLS union membership 2025 · Census ACS
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Jobs & Economy
Sources: BLS QCEW 2024 · BLS JOLTS 2024 · BLS union membership 2025 · Census ACS
Job Openings Rate (JOLTS)
Tight labor market (US ~4.5%)
Quits Rate (JOLTS)
Workers quit when they can find better; BLS 2024 average
Job Market
+1.3% job growth · 2.9% unemployment
Top Industries
Tech Jobs
Strong tech presence
Healthcare Jobs
Remote Work
High remote work culture
Median Household Income
Union Membership
Above-average union presence (BLS 2025)
Business Climate
Sources: Tax Foundation · state filings
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Business Climate
Sources: Tax Foundation · state filings
Corporate Income Tax
High corporate rate — plan entity structure carefully
LLC Formation Fee
LLC Annual Fee
Business Climate Rank
Daily Life
Sources: American Pyrotechnics Association · state statutes 2026 · IIHS
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Daily Life
Sources: American Pyrotechnics Association · state statutes 2026 · IIHS
Gas Price (Regular)
Near avg (-0.04 vs national avg)
Consumer Fireworks
Sparklers only in some counties; other consumer fireworks banned
Motorcycle Helmet Law
Required for all riders (IIHS 2026)
Weather & Natural Risks
Sources: NOAA · NWS Storm Prediction Center · FEMA NRI
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Weather & Natural Risks
Sources: NOAA · NWS Storm Prediction Center · FEMA NRI
Winter Severity
Avg January high: 43°F
Summer Heat
Moderate summers
Annual Rainfall
Tornado Risk
Hurricane Risk
Wildfire Risk
Flood Risk
Natural Hazards
Sources: USGS · CDC · USDA APHIS · NOAA · FEMA NRI 2023
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Natural Hazards
Sources: USGS · CDC · USDA APHIS · NOAA · FEMA NRI 2023
Venomous Snakes
Spider Hazard
Hurricane Risk
Tornado Risk
Wildfire Risk
Earthquake Risk
Danger score is a composite index. Methodology ↗
Veteran Benefits
Sources: VA.gov · Military.com state guide · Tax Foundation
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Veteran Benefits
Sources: VA.gov · Military.com state guide · Tax Foundation
Veteran-Friendly Score
7.9% of state population are veterans
Property Tax Exemption
100% disabled: full property tax exempt
Military Retirement Pay
Active Duty Pay
VA Facilities Access
Notable Benefits
Explore Maryland counties
Income, housing, poverty, healthcare — ranked by county
See your full cost of living in Maryland
Housing, taxes, childcare, insurance — all estimated.
Compare Similar States
MD vs WA
Maryland vs Washington
COL 116 vs 117 · 5.75% vs No income tax
Full comparison →
MD vs CT
Maryland vs Connecticut
COL 116 vs 114 · 5.75% vs 6.99% income tax
Full comparison →
MD vs NH
Maryland vs New Hampshire
COL 116 vs 114 · 5.75% vs No income tax
Full comparison →
MD vs RI
Maryland vs Rhode Island
COL 116 vs 114 · 5.75% vs 5.99% income tax
Full comparison →
Trending in Maryland
Governor Moore Announces New Maryland Headquarters for Founding Farmers - The Office of Governor Wes Moore (.gov)
The Office of Governor Wes Moore (.gov) · Sep 8
Maryland Gov. Moore to attend opening of new Northrop Grumman innovation center - CBS News
CBS News · Sep 8
Governor Moore brings statewide ‘Delivering for Maryland’ tour to Baltimore County - NottinghamMD.com
NottinghamMD.com · Sep 8
Maryland Governor Wes Moore Honors IAM International President Bryant for Advancing Workers’ Rights - IAM Union
IAM Union · Sep 3
Maryland Governor launches AI-assisted community development tool - wypr.org
wypr.org · Sep 3
What Residents Say
Moving to MD, somewhere between Baltimore and DC (ish)
Yes, the cost of living really is that much higher. high sales tax and property tax and all the insurance... Be cautious with your spending and ......
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Need some opinions : r/maryland
high cost of living, the state has higher taxes and living costs. Most of one's taxes go towards public schools. Maryland, are paid for through ......
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Moving to DMV -Suggestions? : r/maryland
Housing can be more expensive than some other areas of MoCo, but Rockville is awesome. There are definitely houses in your price range. We live ......
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What's it like living in this area of northern Maryland and ...
What's it like living in the towns in northern Maryland and southern Pennsylvania?...
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New poll finds majority of Marylanders struggling financially
Stagnant wages, high cost of living, utility bills are sky high ... Taxes in Maryland are going through the roof. Just charged $400 to ......
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What are some good things about living in Maryland ...
There are taxes, but I feel like I get my money's worth here. Lots of government jobs in central MD. Moving to Maryland,...
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Is it better to make less if cost of living is lower?
I have 300k in savings. I have two options... Teacher in Bay area. Salary is 99k annually. A two bedroom condo is 700k. I could move to Maryland where ......
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Estate and gift tax revenue in Maryland drops 21.4% ...
Maryland is routinely near the top of individual tax burdens and more importantly, is a high tax state as you earn more income. Guess what? It's ......
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Here's how much Maryland singles need to make to live ...
Singles in Maryland would need an annual income of $108,867 to live comfortably, according to a study by SmartAsset. Housing and overall cost ......
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Advice for living, working in Maryland.
You will pay montgomery tax along with the Maryland state tax. you won't have to pay a property tax on your car. Commute is twenty minutes. ......
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Maryland will change its laws. We'll email you when it does.
One email when Maryland changes a tax, gun, cannabis or abortion law. Unsubscribe in one click.
Data is informational only. Verify with a tax professional, real estate agent, and local sources before making relocation decisions. Crime data: FBI Crime Data Explorer 2023. Healthcare: Commonwealth Fund 2023; life expectancy from County Health Rankings 2024. Education: Education Week 2023. Housing: Zillow monthly index and Census ACS 2022. Insurance: rate surveys 2024. Sponsored links marked “Sponsored” may earn a commission. This does not affect our data or rankings.