Compare states / Florida → Maryland
FL → MD
Compare Florida and Maryland
Florida has no state income tax on wages, while Maryland taxes them at a top rate of 6.5%: on $120,000 of single-filer income that is about $5,698 a year in Maryland and $0 in Florida. The median home in Maryland is valued at $434,258, about 15% more than Florida’s $378,667. Florida has the higher average combined sales tax (6.98% vs 6.00%), while effective property-tax rates are close at 0.78% and 0.92%. Maryland levies its own estate tax; Florida does not.
Moving the other way (Maryland to Florida)? The same numbers apply—swap the columns.
Deadlines and checklists on this page are for arriving in Maryland; for Florida, see the Florida page.
Data: Florida (floridarevenue.gov, flhsmv.gov); Maryland (marylandtaxes.gov, mva.maryland.gov); Tax Foundation 2026, Experian/Zillow, Census, FBI, NPS. Jump to sources · Methodology
Taxes, housing, and other important data at a glance
| Florida | Maryland | |
|---|---|---|
| Top state income-tax rate | 0.0% | 6.5% |
| Average sales tax (state + local) | 6.98% | 6.00% |
| Average property tax (real estate) | 0.78% | 0.92% |
| Personal property tax (vehicles) | No | No |
| Social Security tax | No | No |
| Estate tax | No | Yes — $5M exemption |
| Inheritance tax | No | Yes — 10% (distant heirs) |
| Minimum wage | $14.00 | $15.00 |
| Median home value | $378,667 | $434,258 |
| Tax when you title a car | 6.00% | 6.00% |
| State parks | 58 | 53 |
| National parks | 3 | 0 |
| Population density | 441.0/sq mi | 648.0/sq mi |
| Violent crime per 100,000 | 267.1 | 420.4 |
| Demographics | 51.9% White (non-Hispanic) 27.1% Hispanic 16.8% Black 3.0% Asian | 47.3% White (non-Hispanic) 11.8% Hispanic 32.1% Black 6.8% Asian |
| Days to get a license | 30 | 60 |
| Days to title a car | 30 | 60 |
Will my state income tax go up or down if I move from Florida to Maryland?
Florida: No personal income tax. Maryland: Top listed rate 6.5%. At $120,000 yearly income and 0 dependents, the bracket estimate is $0 in Florida vs $5,698 in Maryland. If you earned in both states this year, see FL tax agency and MD tax agency.
Estimate your state income tax in Florida and Maryland
This uses 2026 single-filer brackets (top listed 0.0% vs 6.5%), minus a $4,300 exemption per dependent. It is not your actual tax bill.
Vehicle title, registration, and tax in Maryland
New residents of Maryland typically have 60 days to title and register. Inspection: Varies by county — confirm locally. The title-tax rate used here is 6.00%. On a $28,000 vehicle, estimated state charges are $1,925.00 (tax $1,680.00 + title $100.00 + registration $135.00 + plate $10.00). County and weight fees are omitted on purpose.
Estimate what you’ll pay to title the car in Maryland
Title fee + plate + base registration + 6.00% tax. County extras are not included.
Driver’s license in Maryland
After you become a Maryland resident, you typically have 60 days to get a Maryland driver license. Bring your Florida license, Social Security number, and proof you live in Maryland. Agencies often ask for two proofs; the exact list is on the official Maryland DMV. Florida plates are not a substitute for Maryland registration once the title clock runs out.
New-resident checklist: Florida to Maryland
- Get an MD driver license within 60 days. Bring your FL license, Social Security number, and proof you live in Maryland (agencies often ask for two proofs; use the official Maryland DMV list).
- Title and register the car within 60 days. Inspection: Varies by county — confirm locally.
- Make sure car insurance meets 25/50/25.
- Register to vote. Typical close: 21 days before an election. Maryland elections site.
- If you earned money in both states this year, you may need to file in both. FL tax agency · MD tax agency.
- Both Florida and Maryland are in the nurse compact — a multistate license can follow you. Confirm with the board of nursing if you are changing primary residence.
Biggest differences in moving from Florida to Maryland
- Maryland taxes wages (top listed 6.5%). Florida does not tax wages.
- New residents of Maryland typically have 60 days to get a driver license (in Florida, the window is 30 days).
- Maryland has a state estate tax (Yes — $5M exemption). Florida does not.
- Maryland taxes some heirs (Yes — 10% (distant heirs)). Florida has no state inheritance tax.
- Title the car in Maryland within 60 days. Florida plates are not a substitute once that clock runs.
Common questions
Will I start paying state income tax if I move from Florida to Maryland?
Florida does not tax wages; Maryland taxes wages (top listed 6.5%). Moving this direction usually means a new or higher state income-tax bill. At $120,000 yearly income and 0 dependents, the bracket estimate is $0 in Florida vs $5,698 in Maryland. Actual bills depend on income, filing status, local tax, credits, and residency timing. This uses 2026 single-filer brackets after a $4,300 exemption per dependent.
Does Maryland have an estate tax that Florida does not?
Florida: No. No state estate tax. Maryland: Yes — $5M exemption. Maryland estate tax exemption is $5 million. Maryland also levies a separate inheritance tax on some transfers to more distant heirs. Federal estate tax can still apply in either state.
Does Maryland have an inheritance tax that Florida does not?
Florida: No. No state inheritance tax. Maryland: Yes — 10% (distant heirs). Maryland also has an estate tax. Inheritance tax is 10% of the clear value of property passing to non-exempt heirs (nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and other collateral heirs). Spouse, lineal descendants and ancestors, siblings, and the spouse of a child or other lineal descendant are exempt. Inheritance tax is paid by the heir; estate tax is paid by the estate.
How does sales tax in Maryland compare to Florida?
Average combined sales tax (state + local) is 6.98% in Florida vs 6.00% in Maryland. City and county add-ons vary; this is a statewide average.
How much is vehicle sales tax in Maryland compared with Florida?
Maryland title-tax rate used here is 6.00% (6.00% in Florida). Title the car in Maryland within 60 days (30 days in Florida). On a $28,000 vehicle, estimated state charges are $1,925.00 (county extras omitted).
How long do I have to get a Maryland driver license after leaving Florida?
New residents of Maryland typically have 60 days after establishing residency (in Florida, the window is 30 days).
How does the minimum wage in Maryland compare with Florida?
Florida: $14.00. Statewide minimum wage $14.00. Maryland: $15.00. Statewide minimum wage $15.00. Some cities set a higher local rate. Tipped and youth rates can differ.
Related moves
Also see Maryland and Florida on their own. Moving from Maryland to Florida instead? This page covers that move too; use “Swap columns” at the top.
New York → Florida · New Jersey → Florida · Illinois → Florida · Pennsylvania → Florida · Massachusetts → Florida · Ohio → Florida · Georgia → Florida
Your move
Sources
Compiled 2026. Statewide figures; counties can differ.
- Top state income-tax rate. Tax Foundation, State Individual Income Tax Rates and Brackets, 2026.
- Average sales tax (state + local). Tax Foundation, State and Local Sales Tax Rates, January 2026.
- Average property tax (real estate). Tax Foundation, Property Taxes by State and County, 2026.
- Personal property tax (vehicles). WalletHub, Property Taxes by State, 2026 (vehicle table).
- Social Security tax. Florida does not tax Social Security benefits (FL tax agency); Maryland does not tax Social Security benefits (MD tax agency).
- Estate tax. Florida has no state estate tax (FL tax agency); Maryland estate tax.
- Inheritance tax. Florida has no state inheritance tax (FL tax agency); Maryland inheritance tax.
- Minimum wage. Florida $14.00; Maryland $15.00.
- Median home value. Experian / Zillow, Median Home Values by State, March 2026.
- Tax when you title a car. Florida 6.00%; Maryland 6.00%.
- State parks. Florida 58; Maryland 53. Official designated state parks (historic sites, recreation areas, and similar units omitted).
- National parks. National Park Service, National Park System (units designated National Park on the National Park Service system list; parks that sit in more than one state are counted in each; FL 3, MD 0).
- Population density. U.S. Census Bureau PopClock, people per sq. mi. · state population estimates.
- Violent crime per 100,000. FBI Uniform Crime Reports, 2024 (state rates table).
- Demographics. U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts (FL vs MD: White non-Hispanic, Hispanic, Black, Asian).
- Days to get a license. Florida 30 days; Maryland 60 days.
- Days to title a car. Florida 30 days; Maryland 60 days.
Data last updated: September 2026. How the data is compiled