Side-by-side tax comparison between Maryland (5.75% top rate) and Mississippi (5% top rate).
| Salary | Maryland | Mississippi | Difference | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $50K | $39,391 | $40,423 | +$1,031 | Mississippi |
| $75K | $56,943 | $58,490 | +$1,547 | Mississippi |
| $100K | $73,078 | $75,140 | +$2,063 | Mississippi |
| $150K | $104,727 | $107,821 | +$3,094 | Mississippi |
| $200K | $137,478 | $141,603 | +$4,125 | Mississippi |
Mississippi offers higher take-home pay at every salary level. Mississippi's 5% top rate is more favorable than Maryland's 5.75%. At $100K, the difference is $2,063/year — that’s $172/month.
However, cost of living matters. Maryland has a cost index of 112 while Mississippi is at 83. After adjusting for cost of living, the gap widens significantly.