Side-by-side tax comparison between Maryland (5.75% top rate) and North Carolina (4.5% top rate).
| Salary | Maryland | North Carolina | Difference | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $50K | $39,391 | $40,610 | +$1,219 | North Carolina |
| $75K | $56,943 | $58,771 | +$1,828 | North Carolina |
| $100K | $73,078 | $75,515 | +$2,438 | North Carolina |
| $150K | $104,727 | $108,384 | +$3,656 | North Carolina |
| $200K | $137,478 | $142,353 | +$4,875 | North Carolina |
North Carolina offers higher take-home pay at every salary level. North Carolina's 4.5% top rate is more favorable than Maryland's 5.75%. At $100K, the difference is $2,438/year — that’s $203/month.
However, cost of living matters. Maryland has a cost index of 112 while North Carolina is at 95. After adjusting for cost of living, the gap widens significantly.