Compare states / Maryland
MD
Compare Maryland with other states
Maryland, home to about 6.3 million people, is the 5th-most densely populated state at 648 people per square mile. Wages are taxed at a top rate of 6.5%; its average combined sales tax of 6.00% is tied for the 11th-lowest among the 50 states. The median home value, $434,258, ranks 16th-highest of 50. It is the only state that levies both an estate tax and an inheritance tax.
Data: Maryland (marylandtaxes.gov, mva.maryland.gov); Tax Foundation 2026, Experian/Zillow, Census, FBI, NPS. Jump to sources · Methodology
Taxes and housing
| State income tax | Top listed rate 6.5% |
|---|---|
| Average sales tax (state + local) | 6.00% |
| Average property tax (real estate) | 0.92% effective |
| Personal property tax (vehicles) | No annual vehicle personal-property tax |
| Social Security tax | Not taxed. The state exempts Social Security benefits from income tax. |
| Estate tax | Maryland estate tax exemption is $5 million. Maryland also levies a separate inheritance tax on some transfers to more distant heirs. |
| Inheritance tax | 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. |
| Minimum wage | Statewide minimum wage $15.00. |
| Median home value | $434,258 |
Car title and license
| Tax on buying/titling a car | 6.00% |
|---|---|
| Title fee | $100.00 |
| Registration (base) | $135.00 |
| Car inspection | Varies by county — confirm locally |
| Nurse license from another state | Usually transfers (compact) |
Parks and people
| State parks | 53 |
|---|---|
| National parks | 0 |
| Population | 6,285,380 |
| Population density | 648.0 per sq mi |
| Demographics | 47.3% White (non-Hispanic) 11.8% Hispanic 32.1% Black 6.8% Asian |
| Violent crime | 420.4 per 100,000 |
Estimated income tax in Maryland
Uses 2026 single-filer tax brackets (top listed rate 6.5%) after a per-dependent exemption. Not your actual tax bill.
Estimate car title cost in Maryland
Uses this state’s title fee, plate, base registration, and 6.00% tax. County extras are not included.
Your move
Your to-do list in Maryland
- Get an MD driver license within 60 days. Bring your current license, Social Security number, and two proofs you live in Maryland.
- 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. Maryland elections site.
- Nurse license: Maryland is in the nurse compact, so a compact RN license often still works. Confirm with the board of nursing if you are changing primary residence.
- Enrolling a kindergartner? Kindergarten age cutoff in Maryland: September 1. Compare kindergarten cutoffs by state.
How Maryland compares
Top listed income-tax rate: 6.5% in Maryland vs 13.3% in California (lower in Maryland).
Use the picker above for any other state. Published comparison pages that include Maryland are listed here.
Sources
Compiled 2026. Statewide figures; counties can differ.
- State income tax. 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. Maryland does not tax Social Security benefits (MD tax agency).
- Estate tax. Maryland estate tax.
- Inheritance tax. Maryland inheritance tax.
- Minimum wage. Maryland $15.00.
- Median home value. Experian / Zillow, Median Home Values by State, March 2026.
- Tax on buying/titling a car. Maryland 6.00%.
- State parks. Maryland 53. Official designated state parks.
- 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; MD 0).
- Population / density. U.S. Census Bureau, state population estimates · PopClock people per sq. mi..
- Demographics. U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts (MD).
- Violent crime per 100,000. FBI Uniform Crime Reports, 2024 (state rates table).
- Days to get a license. Maryland 60 days.
- Days to title a car. Maryland 60 days.
Data last updated: September 2026. How the data is compiled