Maryland vs Virginia
On a $100,000 income and each state’s median home, Virginia costs about $1,485 less per year in state income and property tax combined.
Where the gap is widest
The largest difference between Maryland and Virginia is property tax on median home ($4,011 vs $3,276).
- Property tax on median home: Virginia is lower ($4,011 vs $3,276)
- Cost of living index: Virginia is lower (121.1 vs 99.1)
- Minimum wage: Virginia is lower ($15.00 vs $12.77)
- Effective property tax: Virginia is lower (0.92% vs 0.78%)
- State sales tax: Virginia is lower (6.00% vs 5.30%)
Side by side
| Measure | Maryland | Virginia | Which is higher |
|---|---|---|---|
| Property tax on median home | $4,011 | $3,276 | MD higher |
| Cost of living index | 121.1 | 99.1 | MD higher |
| Minimum wage | $15.00 | $12.77 | MD higher |
| Effective property tax | 0.92% | 0.78% | MD higher |
| State sales tax | 6.00% | 5.30% | MD higher |
| Top income tax rate | 6.50% | 5.75% | MD higher |
| Income tax on $100k | $6,500 | $5,750 | MD higher |
| Median 2BR rent | $1,955 | $1,735 | MD higher |
| Median household income | $102,905 | $92,090 | MD higher |
| Median home price | $436,000 | $420,000 | MD higher |
| Avg home insurance | $1,578 | $1,537 | MD higher |
| Max weekly unemployment | $430 | $430 | = |
State income tax by income level
| Income | Maryland | Virginia | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| $30,000 | $1,950 | $1,725 | +$225 |
| $40,000 | $2,600 | $2,300 | +$300 |
| $50,000 | $3,250 | $2,875 | +$375 |
| $60,000 | $3,900 | $3,450 | +$450 |
| $75,000 | $4,875 | $4,313 | +$563 |
| $90,000 | $5,850 | $5,175 | +$675 |
| $100,000 | $6,500 | $5,750 | +$750 |
| $125,000 | $8,125 | $7,188 | +$938 |
| $150,000 | $9,750 | $8,625 | +$1,125 |
| $175,000 | $11,375 | $10,063 | +$1,313 |
| $200,000 | $13,000 | $11,500 | +$1,500 |
| $250,000 | $16,250 | $14,375 | +$1,875 |
| $300,000 | $19,500 | $17,250 | +$2,250 |
| $400,000 | $26,000 | $23,000 | +$3,000 |
| $500,000 | $32,500 | $28,750 | +$3,750 |
Property tax by home value
| Home value | Maryland | Virginia | Annual gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| $150,000 | $1,380 | $1,170 | $210 |
| $200,000 | $1,840 | $1,560 | $280 |
| $250,000 | $2,300 | $1,950 | $350 |
| $300,000 | $2,760 | $2,340 | $420 |
| $400,000 | $3,680 | $3,120 | $560 |
| $500,000 | $4,600 | $3,900 | $700 |
| $600,000 | $5,520 | $4,680 | $840 |
| $750,000 | $6,900 | $5,850 | $1,050 |
| $900,000 | $8,280 | $7,020 | $1,260 |
| $1,200,000 | $11,040 | $9,360 | $1,680 |
Cumulative difference over time
| Period | Total difference | Cheaper |
|---|---|---|
| 1 year | $1,485 | Virginia ahead |
| 2 years | $2,970 | Virginia ahead |
| 3 years | $4,456 | Virginia ahead |
| 5 years | $7,426 | Virginia ahead |
| 10 years | $14,852 | Virginia ahead |
Income tax figures apply each state’s top marginal rate as a simplification and exclude federal tax, local surtaxes and deductions. Property tax uses each state’s effective rate on its own median home. Sources.
Last reviewed 2026-08-26.