Maryland vs North Carolina
Side-by-side cost of living comparison.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
6%
4.75%
+1.3 pp in Maryland
Income Tax (top rate)
6.50%
3.99%
+2.5 pp in Maryland
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$1,073
$1,349
+26% in North Carolina
Median Home Value
$219,300
$364,650
+66% in North Carolina
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$59,623
$80,431
+35% in North Carolina
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
61.4°F
60.3°F
+1.1°F in Maryland
Housing, income, and climate are medians across the 1/2 cities we track in Maryland/North Carolina — 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.