Living Cost Compare

Maryland vs Virginia

Side-by-side cost of living comparison.

State Taxes

Sales Tax
6%
5.3%
+0.7 pp in Maryland
Income Tax (top rate)
6.50%
5.75%
+0.8 pp in Maryland

Housing (median across tracked cities)

Median 1BR Rent
$1,073
$1,357
+26% in Virginia
Median Home Value
$219,300
$366,300
+67% in Virginia

Income (median across tracked cities)

Median Household Income
$59,623
$90,685
+52% in Virginia

Climate (median across tracked cities)

Avg Annual Temperature
61.4°F
59.9°F
+1.5°F in Maryland

Housing, income, and climate are medians across the 1/1 cities we track in Maryland/Virginia — 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.