Florida vs Maryland:
Take-Home Pay Comparison
Side-by-side tax comparison between Florida (no income tax) and Maryland (5.75% top rate, graduated). See which state lets you keep more at every salary level, and how cost of living changes the picture.
Tax Structure: Florida vs Maryland
Florida has no state income tax, while Maryland uses a graduated system with rates of 2-5.75% + local. On a $100K salary, this creates a state tax difference of $3,738/year that Florida residents simply don’t pay.
Maryland’s graduated brackets mean the gap between these two states widens at higher salaries. At $200K, the state tax difference grows to $7,475/year, while at $50K it’s only $1,869.
Take-Home at Every Salary Level
Florida wins at 10 out of 10 salary levels tested. The advantage is consistent and significant across the income spectrum.
| Salary | Florida | Maryland | Difference | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $40K | $34,320 | $32,825 | −$1,495 | Florida |
| $50K | $42,355 | $40,486 | −$1,869 | Florida |
| $60K | $50,390 | $48,148 | −$2,243 | Florida |
| $75K | $61,538 | $58,734 | −$2,803 | Florida |
| $100K | $79,125 | $75,388 | −$3,738 | Florida |
| $120K | $93,195 | $88,710 | −$4,485 | Florida |
| $150K | $113,751 | $108,145 | −$5,606 | Florida |
| $200K | $148,887 | $141,412 | −$7,475 | Florida |
| $250K | $183,264 | $173,920 | −$9,344 | Florida |
| $300K | $215,329 | $204,116 | −$11,213 | Florida |
Cost of Living: Florida (100) vs Maryland (112)
Take-home pay only tells part of the story. Florida has a cost of living index of 100 while Maryland is at 112 (national average = 100).
The cost of living gap is moderate. After adjustment, $100K has purchasing power of $79,125 in Florida vs $67,310 in Maryland. The take-home winner also wins on purchasing power.
Married Filing Jointly: How It Changes the Comparison
For a single earner at $100K filing jointly, take-home becomes $84,710 in Florida and $81,548 in Maryland \u2014 a difference of $3,163. The gap narrows under married filing, as the wider brackets reduce the tax bite in both states.
Should You Move from Maryland to Florida?
On paper, moving from Maryland to Florida would save $3,738/year on a $100K salary, or $18,688 over 5 years. But relocation involves real costs: moving expenses, potentially buying/selling a home, changing jobs, and adjusting to a new community.
The $3,738/year savings is meaningful but probably not enough to justify a move on its own. However, combined with other factors like career growth, lifestyle preferences, or family proximity, it could tip the scale.