1Pennsylvania
Lowest20.9%
Overall effective tax rate
- Net
- Federal
- State
- FICA
- Federal income tax
- $7,670
- State income tax
- $2,303
- Payroll tax (FICA)
- $5,738
- Total tax
- $15,710
- Net income (annual)
- $59,290
Tax year 2026 · state vs state
Maryland vs Pennsylvania Income Tax Comparison (2026)
On a $75,000 salary (single filer, 2026), you pay $896 less state income tax a year in Pennsylvania than in Maryland, which is about $75 a month. At $150,000 the gap is $2,311 in favor of Pennsylvania.
Maryland: up to 6.5%Pennsylvania: 3.07% flatUpdated October 10, 2026
Compare Maryland and Pennsylvania 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
Pennsylvania
Monthly gross$6,250
Monthly tax$1,309
Monthly take-home$4,941
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 Pennsylvania: how the two systems differ
| Maryland | Pennsylvania | |
|---|---|---|
| Wage income tax | Progressive, 10 brackets | Flat 3.07% |
| Top rate | 6.5% | 3.07% |
| Lowest rate | 2% | 3.07% |
| Deductions and credits (single) | $3,350 standard deduction, $3,200 personal exemption | None in this model |
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 | PA state tax | Difference | MD take-home | PA take-home |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $30,000 | $1,061 | $921 | $140 less in Pennsylvania | $25,224 | $25,364 |
| $40,000 | $1,536 | $1,228 | $308 less in Pennsylvania | $32,784 | $33,092 |
| $50,000 | $2,011 | $1,535 | $476 less in Pennsylvania | $40,344 | $40,820 |
| $60,000 | $2,486 | $1,842 | $644 less in Pennsylvania | $47,904 | $48,548 |
| $75,000 | $3,199 | $2,303 | $896 less in Pennsylvania | $58,394 | $59,290 |
| $100,000 | $4,386 | $3,070 | $1,316 less in Pennsylvania | $74,794 | $76,110 |
| $150,000 | $6,916 | $4,605 | $2,311 less in Pennsylvania | $106,875 | $109,186 |
| $250,000 | $12,400 | $7,675 | $4,725 less in Pennsylvania | $170,782 | $175,507 |
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 | PA state tax | Difference | MD take-home | PA take-home |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $75,000 | $2,888 | $2,303 | $585 less in Pennsylvania | $61,735 | $62,320 |
| $100,000 | $4,075 | $3,070 | $1,005 less in Pennsylvania | $80,635 | $81,640 |
| $150,000 | $6,450 | $4,605 | $1,845 less in Pennsylvania | $116,735 | $118,580 |
| $250,000 | $11,602 | $7,675 | $3,927 less in Pennsylvania | $185,866 | $189,793 |
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 $22,500 of income, and Pennsylvania 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 |
Pennsylvania (single filers)
| 3.07% | Over $0 |
- Maryland: Maryland counties and Baltimore City add a local income tax of roughly 2.25% to 3.3%, which is not included here.
- Pennsylvania: Pennsylvania localities also levy an earned income tax, usually around 1%, which is not included here.
Full details for each state: Maryland income tax calculator and Pennsylvania income tax calculator. Federal rates are on the 2026 federal tax brackets page.
Maryland vs Pennsylvania FAQ
Which has lower income tax, Maryland or Pennsylvania?+
Pennsylvania is lower at $75,000: $2,303 of state income tax versus $3,199 in Maryland. At $150,000 it is $6,916 in Maryland and $4,605 in Pennsylvania. For a single filer, Maryland is the lower-tax state up to roughly $22,500 of income, and Pennsylvania becomes the lower-tax state above that.
How much more do I keep on $100,000 in Maryland versus Pennsylvania?+
A single filer keeping $74,794 a year in Maryland would keep $76,110 in Pennsylvania after federal, state and payroll tax. The difference is $1,316 a year, or $110 a month.
How do the Maryland and Pennsylvania income tax systems differ?+
Maryland uses progressive rates up to 6.5%; Pennsylvania uses a flat 3.07% rate. State deductions and exemptions also differ, which changes how much income is taxed.
Are local taxes included in this Maryland vs Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania 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.