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Tax year 2026 · state vs state

Arizona vs Maryland Income Tax Comparison (2026)

On a $75,000 salary (single filer, 2026), you pay $1,726 less state income tax a year in Arizona than in Maryland, which is about $144 a month. At $150,000 the gap is $3,569 in favor of Arizona.

Arizona: 2.5% flatMaryland: up to 6.5%Updated October 10, 2026

Compare Arizona and Maryland for your income

Estimate for education only, not tax advice. 2026 federal and state rules, standard deductions, no local taxes. How we calculate.

State comparison

Comparing 2 states, sorted by lowest overall tax rate.

1Arizona

Lowest

19.8%

Overall effective tax rate

  • Net
  • Federal
  • State
  • FICA
Federal income tax
$7,670
State income tax
$1,473
Payroll tax (FICA)
$5,738
Total tax
$14,880
Net income (annual)
$60,120

2Maryland

22.1%

Overall effective tax rate

  • Net
  • Federal
  • State
  • FICA
Federal income tax
$7,670
State income tax
$3,199
Payroll tax (FICA)
$5,738
Total tax
$16,606
Net income (annual)
$58,394

Advanced analysis (optional)

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💰 Monthly breakdown

Your take-home pay, spread across the year

Arizona

Monthly gross$6,250
Monthly tax$1,240
Monthly take-home$5,010

Maryland

Monthly gross$6,250
Monthly tax$1,384
Monthly take-home$4,866

Estimates use 2026 federal and state rates, the standard deduction for your filing status and no local taxes. Rankings use state income tax only.

Arizona vs Maryland: how the two systems differ

ArizonaMaryland
Wage income taxFlat 2.5%Progressive, 10 brackets
Top rate2.5%6.5%
Lowest rate2.5%2%
Deductions and credits (single)$16,100 standard deduction$3,350 standard deduction, $3,200 personal exemption

State income tax and take-home pay at every salary

The same salary can leave you with different take-home pay depending on the state. This table applies each state’s 2026 rules to a single filer with no pre-tax contributions.

IncomeAZ state taxMD state taxDifferenceAZ take-homeMD take-home
$30,000$348$1,061$714 less in Arizona$25,938$25,224
$40,000$598$1,536$939 less in Arizona$33,723$32,784
$50,000$848$2,011$1,164 less in Arizona$41,508$40,344
$60,000$1,098$2,486$1,389 less in Arizona$49,293$47,904
$75,000$1,473$3,199$1,726 less in Arizona$60,120$58,394
$100,000$2,098$4,386$2,289 less in Arizona$77,083$74,794
$150,000$3,348$6,916$3,569 less in Arizona$110,444$106,875
$250,000$5,848$12,400$6,552 less in Arizona$177,335$170,782

Single filer, 2026, federal standard deduction. Take-home is after federal, state and payroll tax. No local taxes.

Married filing jointly

IncomeAZ state taxMD state taxDifferenceAZ take-homeMD take-home
$75,000$1,070$2,888$1,818 less in Arizona$63,553$61,735
$100,000$1,695$4,075$2,380 less in Arizona$83,015$80,635
$150,000$2,945$6,450$3,505 less in Arizona$120,240$116,735
$250,000$5,445$11,602$6,157 less in Arizona$192,023$185,866

Married filing jointly, 2026, federal standard deduction. Uses each state's joint brackets where they differ.

Does the lower-tax state change as income rises?

Across every income from $10,000 to $1,000,000 that we tested, Arizona charges the same or less state income tax than Maryland for a single filer, so there is no income level where the ranking flips.

Rates side by side

Arizona (single filers)

2.5%Over $0

Maryland (single filers)

2%Up to $1,000
3%$1,001 to $2,000
4%$2,001 to $3,000
4.75%$3,001 to $100,000
5%$100,001 to $125,000
5.25%$125,001 to $150,000
5.5%$150,001 to $250,000
5.75%$250,001 to $500,000
6.25%$500,001 to $1,000,000
6.5%Over $1,000,000

Full details for each state: Arizona income tax calculator and Maryland income tax calculator. Federal rates are on the 2026 federal tax brackets page.

Arizona vs Maryland FAQ

Which has lower income tax, Arizona or Maryland?+

Arizona is lower at $75,000: $1,473 of state income tax versus $3,199 in Maryland. At $150,000 it is $3,348 in Arizona and $6,916 in Maryland. Across every income from $10,000 to $1,000,000 that we tested, Arizona charges the same or less state income tax than Maryland for a single filer, so there is no income level where the ranking flips.

How much more do I keep on $100,000 in Arizona versus Maryland?+

A single filer keeping $77,083 a year in Arizona would keep $74,794 in Maryland after federal, state and payroll tax. The difference is $2,289 a year, or $191 a month.

How do the Arizona and Maryland income tax systems differ?+

Arizona uses a flat 2.5% rate; Maryland uses progressive rates up to 6.5%. State deductions and exemptions also differ, which changes how much income is taxed.

Are local taxes included in this Arizona vs Maryland comparison?+

No. It covers federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare and state income tax only. City, county, sales and property taxes are not included, and they can change the real cost of living in each state.

Should I move from Arizona to Maryland to save on taxes?+

State income tax is one cost among many. Property and sales taxes, housing, insurance and wages also differ, and you may owe tax to both states in the year you move. Use this comparison as one input and confirm details with a tax professional.

Sources

Last checked October 10, 2026. Confirm with your state tax agency before filing.

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Estimates for education only, not tax, legal or financial advice. Not a substitute for a tax professional or your state revenue department.