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Tax year 2026 · state vs state

Louisiana vs Maryland Income Tax Comparison (2026)

On a $75,000 salary (single filer, 2026), you pay $1,335 less state income tax a year in Louisiana than in Maryland, which is about $111 a month. At $150,000 the gap is $2,802 in favor of Louisiana.

Louisiana: 3% flatMaryland: up to 6.5%Updated October 10, 2026

Compare Louisiana 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.

1Louisiana

Lowest

20.4%

Overall effective tax rate

  • Net
  • Federal
  • State
  • FICA
Federal income tax
$7,670
State income tax
$1,864
Payroll tax (FICA)
$5,738
Total tax
$15,271
Net income (annual)
$59,729

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

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💰 Monthly breakdown

Your take-home pay, spread across the year

Louisiana

Monthly gross$6,250
Monthly tax$1,273
Monthly take-home$4,977

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.

Louisiana vs Maryland: how the two systems differ

LouisianaMaryland
Wage income taxFlat 3%Progressive, 10 brackets
Top rate3%6.5%
Lowest rate3%2%
Deductions and credits (single)$12,875 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.

IncomeLA state taxMD state taxDifferenceLA take-homeMD take-home
$30,000$514$1,061$548 less in Louisiana$25,771$25,224
$40,000$814$1,536$723 less in Louisiana$33,506$32,784
$50,000$1,114$2,011$898 less in Louisiana$41,241$40,344
$60,000$1,414$2,486$1,073 less in Louisiana$48,976$47,904
$75,000$1,864$3,199$1,335 less in Louisiana$59,729$58,394
$100,000$2,614$4,386$1,773 less in Louisiana$76,566$74,794
$150,000$4,114$6,916$2,802 less in Louisiana$109,677$106,875
$250,000$7,114$12,400$5,286 less in Louisiana$176,068$170,782

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

Married filing jointly

IncomeLA state taxMD state taxDifferenceLA take-homeMD take-home
$75,000$1,478$2,888$1,410 less in Louisiana$63,145$61,735
$100,000$2,228$4,075$1,848 less in Louisiana$82,483$80,635
$150,000$3,728$6,450$2,723 less in Louisiana$119,458$116,735
$250,000$6,728$11,602$4,875 less in Louisiana$190,741$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, Louisiana 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

Louisiana (single filers)

3%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: Louisiana income tax calculator and Maryland income tax calculator. Federal rates are on the 2026 federal tax brackets page.

Louisiana vs Maryland FAQ

Which has lower income tax, Louisiana or Maryland?+

Louisiana is lower at $75,000: $1,864 of state income tax versus $3,199 in Maryland. At $150,000 it is $4,114 in Louisiana and $6,916 in Maryland. Across every income from $10,000 to $1,000,000 that we tested, Louisiana 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 Louisiana versus Maryland?+

A single filer keeping $76,566 a year in Louisiana would keep $74,794 in Maryland after federal, state and payroll tax. The difference is $1,773 a year, or $148 a month.

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

Louisiana uses a flat 3% 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 Louisiana 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 Louisiana 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.