Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $1,073 in Maryland versus $1,059 in Ohio. Overall, Ohio runs roughly 1% cheaper on rent than Maryland, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $59,623 in Maryland and $65,327 in Ohio — about 9% higher in Ohio. Maryland has a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax; Ohio has a top state income tax rate of 2.75% and a 5.75% state sales tax.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
6%
5.75%
+0.3 pp in Maryland
Income Tax (top rate)
6.50%
2.75%
+3.8 pp in Maryland
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$1,073
$1,059
+1% in Maryland
Median Home Value
$219,300
$234,500
+7% in Ohio
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$59,623
$65,327
+10% in Ohio
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
61.4°F
52.7°F
+8.7°F in Maryland
Maryland vs Ohio — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Maryland or Ohio?
- Ohio is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $1,059 runs about 1% 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 Ohio?
- 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 $42,000 in Ohio.
- Which has lower taxes, Maryland or Ohio?
- Maryland has a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax. Ohio has a top state income tax rate of 2.75% and a 5.75% state sales tax.
Housing, income, and climate are medians across the 1/1 cities we track in Maryland/Ohio — 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.