Side-by-side tax comparison between Maryland (5.75% top rate) and Tennessee (no income tax).
| Salary | Maryland | Tennessee | Difference | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $50K | $39,391 | $42,298 | +$2,906 | Tennessee |
| $75K | $56,943 | $61,303 | +$4,359 | Tennessee |
| $100K | $73,078 | $78,890 | +$5,813 | Tennessee |
| $150K | $104,727 | $113,446 | +$8,719 | Tennessee |
| $200K | $137,478 | $149,103 | +$11,625 | Tennessee |
Tennessee offers higher take-home pay at every salary level. With no state income tax, Tennessee gives you a significant advantage over Maryland's 5.75% top rate. At $100K, the difference is $5,813/year — that’s $484/month.
However, cost of living matters. Maryland has a cost index of 112 while Tennessee is at 90. After adjusting for cost of living, the gap widens significantly.