Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $1,019 in Louisiana versus $1,073 in Maryland. Overall, Louisiana runs roughly 5% cheaper on rent than Maryland, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $55,339 in Louisiana and $59,623 in Maryland — about 7% higher in Maryland. Louisiana has a top state income tax rate of 3.00% and a 5% state sales tax; Maryland has a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
5%
6%
+1.0 pp in Maryland
Income Tax (top rate)
3.00%
6.50%
+3.5 pp in Maryland
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$1,019
$1,073
+5% in Maryland
Median Home Value
$296,400
$219,300
+26% in Louisiana
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$55,339
$59,623
+8% in Maryland
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
70.6°F
61.4°F
+9.2°F in Louisiana
Louisiana vs Maryland — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Louisiana or Maryland?
- Louisiana is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $1,019 runs about 5% below Maryland's $1,073, based on the cities we track in each state.
- How much more do you need to earn to live in Louisiana than in Maryland?
- To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, based on median rent across tracked cities, you'd want to earn roughly $41,000 a year in Louisiana versus $43,000 in Maryland.
- Which has lower taxes, Louisiana or Maryland?
- Louisiana has a top state income tax rate of 3.00% and a 5% state sales tax. Maryland has a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax.
Housing, income, and climate are medians across the 1/1 cities we track in Louisiana/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.