Kentucky vs Maryland
Side-by-side cost of living comparison.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
6%
6%
about equal
Income Tax (top rate)
3.50%
6.50%
+3.0 pp in Maryland
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$877
$1,073
+22% in Maryland
Median Home Value
$221,500
$219,300
+1% in Kentucky
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$64,731
$59,623
+8% in Kentucky
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
58.2°F
61.4°F
+3.2°F in Maryland
Housing, income, and climate are medians across the 1/1 cities we track in Kentucky/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.