1Montana
Lowest21.7%
Overall effective tax rate
- Net
- Federal
- State
- FICA
- Federal income tax
- $7,670
- State income tax
- $2,877
- Payroll tax (FICA)
- $5,738
- Total tax
- $16,284
- Net income (annual)
- $58,716
Tax year 2026 · state vs state
Maryland vs Montana Income Tax Comparison (2026)
On a $75,000 salary (single filer, 2026), you pay $322 less state income tax a year in Montana than in Maryland, which is about $27 a month. At $150,000 the gap is $198 in favor of Maryland.
Maryland: up to 6.5%Montana: up to 5.65%Updated October 10, 2026
Compare Maryland and Montana 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.
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
Montana
Monthly gross$6,250
Monthly tax$1,357
Monthly take-home$4,893
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.
Maryland vs Montana: how the two systems differ
| Maryland | Montana | |
|---|---|---|
| Wage income tax | Progressive, 10 brackets | Progressive, 2 brackets |
| Top rate | 6.5% | 5.65% |
| Lowest rate | 2% | 4.7% |
| Deductions and credits (single) | $3,350 standard deduction, $3,200 personal exemption | $16,100 standard deduction |
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 | MT state tax | Difference | MD take-home | MT take-home |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $30,000 | $1,061 | $653 | $408 less in Montana | $25,224 | $25,632 |
| $40,000 | $1,536 | $1,123 | $413 less in Montana | $32,784 | $33,197 |
| $50,000 | $2,011 | $1,593 | $418 less in Montana | $40,344 | $40,762 |
| $60,000 | $2,486 | $2,063 | $423 less in Montana | $47,904 | $48,327 |
| $75,000 | $3,199 | $2,877 | $322 less in Montana | $58,394 | $58,716 |
| $100,000 | $4,386 | $4,289 | $97 less in Montana | $74,794 | $74,891 |
| $150,000 | $6,916 | $7,114 | $198 less in Maryland | $106,875 | $106,677 |
| $250,000 | $12,400 | $12,764 | $364 less in Maryland | $170,782 | $170,418 |
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 | MT state tax | Difference | MD take-home | MT take-home |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $75,000 | $2,888 | $2,012 | $876 less in Montana | $61,735 | $62,611 |
| $100,000 | $4,075 | $3,187 | $889 less in Montana | $80,635 | $81,523 |
| $150,000 | $6,450 | $5,753 | $697 less in Montana | $116,735 | $117,432 |
| $250,000 | $11,602 | $11,403 | $199 less in Montana | $185,866 | $186,065 |
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, Montana is the lower-tax state up to roughly $115,000 of income, and Maryland becomes the lower-tax state above that. The order flips again near $527,500, so the better state depends on where your income falls.
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 |
Montana (single filers)
| 4.7% | Up to $47,500 |
| 5.65% | Over $47,500 |
- Maryland: Maryland counties and Baltimore City add a local income tax of roughly 2.25% to 3.3%, which is not included here.
Full details for each state: Maryland income tax calculator and Montana income tax calculator. Federal rates are on the 2026 federal tax brackets page.
Maryland vs Montana FAQ
Which has lower income tax, Maryland or Montana?+
Montana is lower at $75,000: $2,877 of state income tax versus $3,199 in Maryland. At $150,000 it is $6,916 in Maryland and $7,114 in Montana. For a single filer, Montana is the lower-tax state up to roughly $115,000 of income, and Maryland becomes the lower-tax state above that. The order flips again near $527,500, so the better state depends on where your income falls.
How much more do I keep on $100,000 in Maryland versus Montana?+
A single filer keeping $74,794 a year in Maryland would keep $74,891 in Montana after federal, state and payroll tax. The difference is $97 a year, or $8 a month.
How do the Maryland and Montana income tax systems differ?+
Maryland uses progressive rates up to 6.5%; Montana uses progressive rates up to 5.65%. State deductions and exemptions also differ, which changes how much income is taxed.
Are local taxes included in this Maryland vs Montana 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 Montana 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.
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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.