Side-by-side tax comparison between Maryland (5.75% top rate) and Washington (no income tax).
| Salary | Maryland | Washington | Difference | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $50K | $39,391 | $42,298 | +$2,906 | Washington |
| $75K | $56,943 | $61,303 | +$4,359 | Washington |
| $100K | $73,078 | $78,890 | +$5,813 | Washington |
| $150K | $104,727 | $113,446 | +$8,719 | Washington |
| $200K | $137,478 | $149,103 | +$11,625 | Washington |
Washington offers higher take-home pay at every salary level. With no state income tax, Washington 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 Washington is at 110. With similar costs of living, the tax difference is the main factor.