Maryland vs Washington Income Tax (2026)

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💰 Monthly breakdown

Your take-home pay, spread across the year

Washington

Monthly gross$6,250

Monthly tax$1,117

Monthly take-home$5,133

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 Washington: how the two systems differ

	Maryland	Washington
Wage income tax	Progressive, 10 brackets	No tax on wages
Top rate	6.5%	0%
Lowest rate	2%	0%
Deductions and credits (single)	$3,350 standard deduction, $3,200 personal exemption	Not applicable

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	WA state tax	Difference	MD take-home	WA take-home
$30,000	$1,061	$0	$1,061 less in Washington	$25,224	$26,285
$40,000	$1,536	$0	$1,536 less in Washington	$32,784	$34,320
$50,000	$2,011	$0	$2,011 less in Washington	$40,344	$42,355
$60,000	$2,486	$0	$2,486 less in Washington	$47,904	$50,390
$75,000	$3,199	$0	$3,199 less in Washington	$58,394	$61,593
$100,000	$4,386	$0	$4,386 less in Washington	$74,794	$79,180
$150,000	$6,916	$0	$6,916 less in Washington	$106,875	$113,791
$250,000	$12,400	$0	$12,400 less in Washington	$170,782	$183,182

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	WA state tax	Difference	MD take-home	WA take-home
$75,000	$2,888	$0	$2,888 less in Washington	$61,735	$64,623
$100,000	$4,075	$0	$4,075 less in Washington	$80,635	$84,710
$150,000	$6,450	$0	$6,450 less in Washington	$116,735	$123,185
$250,000	$11,602	$0	$11,602 less in Washington	$185,866	$197,468

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, Washington 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

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

Washington (single filers)

Washington does not tax wages. It taxes long-term capital gains above a threshold (7% and 9% tiers) and charges payroll premiums for paid family leave, which are not included here.

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 Washington income tax calculator. Federal rates are on the 2026 federal tax brackets page.

Maryland vs Washington FAQ

Which has lower income tax, Maryland or Washington?+

Washington is lower at $75,000: $0 of state income tax versus $3,199 in Maryland. At $150,000 it is $6,916 in Maryland and $0 in Washington. Across every income from $10,000 to $1,000,000 that we tested, Washington 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 Maryland versus Washington?+

A single filer keeping $74,794 a year in Maryland would keep $79,180 in Washington after federal, state and payroll tax. The difference is $4,386 a year, or $366 a month.

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

Maryland uses progressive rates up to 6.5%; Washington has no tax on wages. State deductions and exemptions also differ, which changes how much income is taxed.

Are local taxes included in this Maryland vs Washington 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 Washington 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.

Maryland vs Washington Income Tax Comparison (2026)

Compare Maryland and Washington for your income

State comparison

1Washington

2Maryland