1Maryland
Lowest22.1%
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
Tax year 2026 · state vs state
Maryland vs Massachusetts Income Tax Comparison (2026)
On a $75,000 salary (single filer, 2026), you pay $331 less state income tax a year in Maryland than in Massachusetts, which is about $28 a month. At $150,000 the gap is $364 in favor of Maryland.
Maryland: up to 6.5%Massachusetts: up to 9%Updated October 10, 2026
Compare Maryland and Massachusetts 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.
2Massachusetts
22.6%
Overall effective tax rate
- Net
- Federal
- State
- FICA
- Federal income tax
- $7,670
- State income tax
- $3,530
- Payroll tax (FICA)
- $5,738
- Total tax
- $16,938
- Net income (annual)
- $58,063
Advanced analysis (optional)
Choose which extra insights you would like to see.
💰 Monthly breakdown
Your take-home pay, spread across the year
Maryland
Monthly gross$6,250
Monthly tax$1,384
Monthly take-home$4,866
Massachusetts
Monthly gross$6,250
Monthly tax$1,411
Monthly take-home$4,839
Estimates use 2026 federal and state rates, the standard deduction for your filing status and no local taxes. Rankings use state income tax only.
Maryland vs Massachusetts: how the two systems differ
| Maryland | Massachusetts | |
|---|---|---|
| Wage income tax | Progressive, 10 brackets | Progressive, 2 brackets |
| Top rate | 6.5% | 9% |
| Lowest rate | 2% | 5% |
| Deductions and credits (single) | $3,350 standard deduction, $3,200 personal exemption | $4,400 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.
| Income | MD state tax | MA state tax | Difference | MD take-home | MA take-home |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $30,000 | $1,061 | $1,280 | $219 less in Maryland | $25,224 | $25,005 |
| $40,000 | $1,536 | $1,780 | $244 less in Maryland | $32,784 | $32,540 |
| $50,000 | $2,011 | $2,280 | $269 less in Maryland | $40,344 | $40,075 |
| $60,000 | $2,486 | $2,780 | $294 less in Maryland | $47,904 | $47,610 |
| $75,000 | $3,199 | $3,530 | $331 less in Maryland | $58,394 | $58,063 |
| $100,000 | $4,386 | $4,780 | $394 less in Maryland | $74,794 | $74,400 |
| $150,000 | $6,916 | $7,280 | $364 less in Maryland | $106,875 | $106,511 |
| $250,000 | $12,400 | $12,280 | $120 less in Massachusetts | $170,782 | $170,902 |
Single filer, 2026, federal standard deduction. Take-home is after federal, state and payroll tax. No local taxes.
Married filing jointly
| Income | MD state tax | MA state tax | Difference | MD take-home | MA take-home |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $75,000 | $2,888 | $3,310 | $422 less in Maryland | $61,735 | $61,313 |
| $100,000 | $4,075 | $4,560 | $485 less in Maryland | $80,635 | $80,150 |
| $150,000 | $6,450 | $7,060 | $610 less in Maryland | $116,735 | $116,125 |
| $250,000 | $11,602 | $12,060 | $458 less in Maryland | $185,866 | $185,408 |
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?
For a single filer, Maryland is the lower-tax state up to roughly $227,500 of income, and Massachusetts becomes the lower-tax state above that.
Rates side by side
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 |
Massachusetts (single filers)
| 5% | Up to $1,083,150 |
| 9% | Over $1,083,150 |
- Maryland: Maryland counties and Baltimore City add a local income tax of roughly 2.25% to 3.3%, which is not included here.
- Massachusetts: The 9% rate is the 4% “millionaires tax” surtax on income above the threshold, added to the 5% base rate.
Full details for each state: Maryland income tax calculator and Massachusetts income tax calculator. Federal rates are on the 2026 federal tax brackets page.
Maryland vs Massachusetts FAQ
Which has lower income tax, Maryland or Massachusetts?+
Maryland is lower at $75,000: $3,199 of state income tax versus $3,530 in Massachusetts. At $150,000 it is $6,916 in Maryland and $7,280 in Massachusetts. For a single filer, Maryland is the lower-tax state up to roughly $227,500 of income, and Massachusetts becomes the lower-tax state above that.
How much more do I keep on $100,000 in Maryland versus Massachusetts?+
A single filer keeping $74,794 a year in Maryland would keep $74,400 in Massachusetts after federal, state and payroll tax. The difference is $394 a year, or $33 a month.
How do the Maryland and Massachusetts income tax systems differ?+
Maryland uses progressive rates up to 6.5%; Massachusetts uses progressive rates up to 9%. State deductions and exemptions also differ, which changes how much income is taxed.
Are local taxes included in this Maryland vs Massachusetts 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 Maryland to Massachusetts 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
- Tax Foundation: 2026 state individual income tax rates and brackets
- IRS: Tax inflation adjustments for tax year 2026
Last checked October 10, 2026. Confirm with your state tax agency before filing.
More state comparisons
- Maryland vs Texas
- California vs Maryland
- Florida vs Maryland
- Maryland vs New York
- Massachusetts vs Texas
- California vs Massachusetts
- Florida vs Massachusetts
- Massachusetts vs New York
- All state comparisons →
Estimates for education only, not tax, legal or financial advice. Not a substitute for a tax professional or your state revenue department.