Side-by-side tax comparison between Maryland (5.75% top rate) and Virginia (5.75% top rate).
| Salary | Maryland | Virginia | Difference | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $50K | $39,391 | $40,141 | +$750 | Virginia |
| $75K | $56,943 | $58,068 | +$1,125 | Virginia |
| $100K | $73,078 | $74,578 | +$1,500 | Virginia |
| $150K | $104,727 | $106,977 | +$2,250 | Virginia |
| $200K | $137,478 | $140,478 | +$3,000 | Virginia |
Virginia offers higher take-home pay at every salary level. Virginia's 5.75% top rate is more favorable than Maryland's 5.75%. At $100K, the difference is $1,500/year — that’s $125/month.
However, cost of living matters. Maryland has a cost index of 112 while Virginia is at 103. With similar costs of living, the tax difference is the main factor.