California vs Maryland
Side-by-side cost of living comparison.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
7.25%
6%
+1.3 pp in California
Income Tax (top rate)
13.30%
6.50%
+6.8 pp in California
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$1,688
$1,073
+36% in California
Median Home Value
$771,700
$219,300
+72% in California
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$83,969
$59,623
+29% in California
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
64.4°F
61.4°F
+3.0°F in California
Housing, income, and climate are medians across the 9/1 cities we track in California/Maryland — not population-weighted statewide figures. Taxes are exact state-level rates. Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year; NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010; Tax Foundation 2026.