Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $1,073 in Maryland versus $1,031 in Missouri. Overall, Missouri runs roughly 4% cheaper on rent than Maryland, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $59,623 in Maryland and $67,449 in Missouri — about 12% higher in Missouri. Maryland has a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax; Missouri has a top state income tax rate of 4.70% and a 4.225% state sales tax.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
6%
4.225%
+1.8 pp in Maryland
Income Tax (top rate)
6.50%
4.70%
+1.8 pp in Maryland
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$1,073
$1,031
+4% in Maryland
Median Home Value
$219,300
$227,000
+4% in Missouri
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$59,623
$67,449
+13% in Missouri
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
61.4°F
56.7°F
+4.7°F in Maryland
Maryland vs Missouri — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Maryland or Missouri?
- Missouri is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $1,031 runs about 4% 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 Maryland than in Missouri?
- To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, based on median rent across tracked cities, you'd want to earn roughly $43,000 a year in Maryland versus $41,000 in Missouri.
- Which has lower taxes, Maryland or Missouri?
- Maryland has a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax. Missouri has a top state income tax rate of 4.70% and a 4.225% state sales tax.
Housing, income, and climate are medians across the 1/1 cities we track in Maryland/Missouri — 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.