1West Virginia
Lowest21.5%
Overall effective tax rate
- Net
- Federal
- State
- FICA
- Federal income tax
- $7,670
- State income tax
- $2,680
- Payroll tax (FICA)
- $5,738
- Total tax
- $16,088
- Net income (annual)
- $58,912
Tax year 2026 · state vs state
Maryland vs West Virginia Income Tax Comparison (2026)
On a $75,000 salary (single filer, 2026), you pay $519 less state income tax a year in West Virginia than in Maryland, which is about $43 a month. At $150,000 the gap is $621 in favor of West Virginia.
Maryland: up to 6.5%West Virginia: up to 4.82%Updated October 10, 2026
Compare Maryland and West Virginia 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
Advanced analysis (optional)
Choose which extra insights you would like to see.
💰 Monthly breakdown
Your take-home pay, spread across the year
West Virginia
Monthly gross$6,250
Monthly tax$1,341
Monthly take-home$4,909
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 West Virginia: how the two systems differ
| Maryland | West Virginia | |
|---|---|---|
| Wage income tax | Progressive, 10 brackets | Progressive, 5 brackets |
| Top rate | 6.5% | 4.82% |
| Lowest rate | 2% | 2.22% |
| Deductions and credits (single) | $3,350 standard deduction, $3,200 personal exemption | $2,000 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 | WV state tax | Difference | MD take-home | WV take-home |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $30,000 | $1,061 | $766 | $295 less in West Virginia | $25,224 | $25,519 |
| $40,000 | $1,536 | $1,099 | $437 less in West Virginia | $32,784 | $33,221 |
| $50,000 | $2,011 | $1,521 | $491 less in West Virginia | $40,344 | $40,834 |
| $60,000 | $2,486 | $1,965 | $522 less in West Virginia | $47,904 | $48,425 |
| $75,000 | $3,199 | $2,680 | $519 less in West Virginia | $58,394 | $58,912 |
| $100,000 | $4,386 | $3,885 | $501 less in West Virginia | $74,794 | $75,295 |
| $150,000 | $6,916 | $6,295 | $621 less in West Virginia | $106,875 | $107,496 |
| $250,000 | $12,400 | $11,115 | $1,285 less in West Virginia | $170,782 | $172,067 |
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 | WV state tax | Difference | MD take-home | WV take-home |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $75,000 | $2,888 | $2,584 | $304 less in West Virginia | $61,735 | $62,039 |
| $100,000 | $4,075 | $3,789 | $287 less in West Virginia | $80,635 | $80,921 |
| $150,000 | $6,450 | $6,199 | $252 less in West Virginia | $116,735 | $116,986 |
| $250,000 | $11,602 | $11,019 | $583 less in West Virginia | $185,866 | $186,449 |
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 $15,000 of income, and West Virginia 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 |
West Virginia (single filers)
| 2.22% | Up to $10,000 |
| 2.96% | $10,001 to $25,000 |
| 3.33% | $25,001 to $40,000 |
| 4.44% | $40,001 to $60,000 |
| 4.82% | Over $60,000 |
- 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 West Virginia income tax calculator. Federal rates are on the 2026 federal tax brackets page.
Maryland vs West Virginia FAQ
Which has lower income tax, Maryland or West Virginia?+
West Virginia is lower at $75,000: $2,680 of state income tax versus $3,199 in Maryland. At $150,000 it is $6,916 in Maryland and $6,295 in West Virginia. For a single filer, Maryland is the lower-tax state up to roughly $15,000 of income, and West Virginia becomes the lower-tax state above that.
How much more do I keep on $100,000 in Maryland versus West Virginia?+
A single filer keeping $74,794 a year in Maryland would keep $75,295 in West Virginia after federal, state and payroll tax. The difference is $501 a year, or $42 a month.
How do the Maryland and West Virginia income tax systems differ?+
Maryland uses progressive rates up to 6.5%; West Virginia uses progressive rates up to 4.82%. State deductions and exemptions also differ, which changes how much income is taxed.
Are local taxes included in this Maryland vs West Virginia 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 West Virginia 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
- Texas vs West Virginia
- California vs West Virginia
- Florida vs West Virginia
- New York vs West Virginia
- 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.