Virginia vs. Maryland
On a $75,000 salary, you keep about $300 more a year in Maryland. Prices are 4% higher in Maryland, so after adjusting for cost of living Virginia comes out ahead.
Last verified November 2, 2026.
| Virginia | Maryland | |
|---|---|---|
| State income tax | Has a graduated income tax with 4 brackets, from 2% up to 5.75% on taxable income over $17,000 for single filers. | Has a graduated income tax with 10 brackets, from 2% up to 6.5% on taxable income over $1,000,000 for single filers. |
| Minimum wage | $12.77 | $15.00 |
| Price level (U.S. = 100) | 101.1 | 105.0 |
| Employer cost on a $50,000 hire | $4,432 | $4,533 |
| SUTA wage base | $8,000 | $8,500 |
Take-home pay at the same salary
| Salary | Virginia take-home | Maryland take-home | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $40,294 | $40,344 | $50 more in Maryland |
| $75,000 | $58,094 | $58,394 | $300 more in Maryland |
| $100,000 | $74,244 | $74,794 | $550 more in Maryland |
| $150,000 | $105,980 | $106,875 | $895 more in Maryland |
Single filer, standard deduction, tax year 2026. Excludes local income taxes.
Adjusted for cost of living
Using BEA regional price parities, $58,094 in Virginia buys what $57,460 buys in an average-priced state, and $58,394 in Maryland buys what $55,635 does. To keep the same buying power moving from Virginia to Maryland, a $75,000 salary would need to be about $77,860 before the tax difference.
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Frequently asked questions
- Is Virginia or Maryland better for take-home pay?
- On $75,000, you keep about $300 more a year in Maryland. Adjusted for prices, Virginia comes out ahead by $1,825.
- Which state is cheaper for employers, Virginia or Maryland?
- Employer taxes and insurance on a $50,000 hire are about $4,432 in Virginia and $4,533 in Maryland.