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Side-by-side state comparison

Maryland vs Virginia Paycheck Comparison (2026)

Last reviewed: April 20, 2026

At $100,000 single filer, take-home difference

Moving from Maryland to Virginia saves approximately $2,055 per year at $100,000 single.

Computed from the tax engine with 2026 federal brackets, FICA, and state tax. Standard deduction, no pre-tax contributions.

Maryland is the only US state where every resident pays a county-level income tax in addition to state. This estimate includes a typical county rate of 2.85% (median across MD counties; the published range is 2.25% to 3.20%). Pick a specific county in the calculator to use that county's exact rate.

Maryland and Virginia both levy state income tax but with different structures. Maryland has a progressive state tax (top 5.75%) plus a universal county-level local tax (2.25% to 3.2%). Virginia has a progressive state tax (top 5.75%). At a $100,000 single salary, Virginia residents take home approximately $2,055 more per year than Maryland residents, or roughly $171 more per month. Both states use progressive structures, so the gap shifts at each bracket boundary; the table below captures the math at four representative salary points. If you are considering a move between Maryland and Virginia, the table below shows the paycheck impact at four common salary points, with the federal load held constant across both. Cost of living and housing markets shift the full math beyond paycheck alone.

How the state tax structures compare

FeatureMarylandVirginia
State structureProgressive 2 to 5.75 percentProgressive 2 to 5.75 percent
Taxes wages?YesYes

Take-home at four common salary points

Single filer, 2026 brackets, standard deduction, no pre-tax contributions. Delta is Virginia take-home minus Maryland take-home.

SalaryMarylandVirginiaDelta
$50,000$38,608$39,738+$1,130
$100,000$71,633$73,688+$2,055
$150,000$102,256$105,424+$3,168
$250,000$163,297$169,065+$5,768

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Virginia takes home more

+$2,055

more per year vs. Maryland · $171/mo · $79/paycheck

5-Year Difference

$10,275

Tax Component
Maryland
Virginiawinner
Gross Salary$100,000$100,000
Federal Tax$13,170$13,170
Social Security$6,200$6,200
Medicare$1,450$1,450
State Tax$4,698$5,493
Local / City Tax$0$0
Typical Local Overlay (state-wide)$2,850$0

Maryland is the only US state where every resident pays a county-level income tax in addition to state. This estimate includes a typical county rate of 2.85% (median across MD counties; the published range is 2.25% to 3.20%). Pick a specific county in the calculator to use that county's exact rate.

Annual Take-Home$71,633$73,688
Effective Tax Rate28.37%26.31%
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Maryland vs Virginia FAQ

What's the biggest paycheck difference between Maryland and Virginia?
The two state structures have similar top rates (5.75%). At incomes near the top of the bracket schedules, the paycheck gap is small; differences emerge in how each state structures its lower brackets, deductions, and any local layers.
Does this comparison include local taxes?
Partially. Maryland is included with a typical county rate (2.85% median; range 2.25% to 3.20%) because every MD county levies an income tax. Virginia has no broad-based local wage tax. Pick a specific city or county in the calculator below to apply that jurisdiction's exact rate.
What about cost-of-living differences?
This page covers paycheck math only. Housing, transportation, childcare, healthcare, and other costs vary widely between Maryland and Virginia, often by more than the paycheck difference. Use the take-home gap as one input alongside a cost-of-living check before making relocation decisions.

See also

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Reviewed

How This Page Is Reviewed

The Maryland vs Virginia comparison is reviewed against primary federal and state sources before each major tax-year update. Source links below are the references used to validate brackets, wage bases, and supported local taxes.

Reviewed by

PaycheckCalc Research Desk

Last reviewed

2026-04-20