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Maryland cost of living & income (2026)

Quick answer: Maryland has a cost-of-living index of 121.1 (100 = national baseline), an illustrative estimated annual cost of living of about $60,550, median household income of $102,905, combined average sales tax about 6.00%, and regular gas about $3.826/gal in the June 2026 AAA snapshot used on the hub.

COL index121.1100 = US baseline
Est. annual COL$60,550
Median HH income$102,905
Sales tax (comb.)6.00%
Gas (87 octane)$3.826/galJune 2026 AAA
Largest cityBaltimore (565,239)

Taxes & economy

Income tax: Graduated up to 6.5% (2026 top brackets)

Sales tax: 6% state (combined avg. ~6.00%)

Major industries: Government/contracting (near DC), biotech/pharma, finance, tourism, defense

Climate snapshot

Summer high ~87°F (July, Baltimore area) · Winter low ~28°F (January)

Culture (context)

National Aquarium / Fort McHenry

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What this means for you

What this means for you: a basket priced at 100 on the national baseline is indexed at 121.1 in Maryland. A salary that buys that basket at the baseline would need about 121.1% of that salary to buy the same basket here. That is index math from this snapshot, not a tax-equalized offer and not your rent.

Compare a salary: Maryland vs Texas on the explorer.

How to read this page

  1. Read the quick answer for Maryland's cost-of-living index, estimated annual cost, median income, sales tax, and gas price.
  2. Open the 50-state explorer and compare Maryland with another state. The salary line multiplies pay by the other index divided by this index.
  3. Use the mortgage, rent, and paycheck calculators with your own numbers. This page does not compute a tax return.

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Related states

Similar cost-of-living index in this dataset:

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FAQ

What is Maryland's cost of living index?

Maryland's cost-of-living index is 121.1 (national baseline 100) in this 2026 classroom snapshot.

What is the estimated annual cost of living in Maryland?

The explorer lists an illustrative estimated annual cost of living of about $60,550 for Maryland.

What is median household income in Maryland?

Median household income in Maryland is $102,905 in this dataset.

What is the combined average sales tax rate in Maryland?

The combined average sales tax rate shown for Maryland is 6.00%. State and local rules vary; see the Tax Foundation citation on the hub.

Does Maryland have a state income tax?

State income tax in Maryland: Graduated up to 6.5% (2026 top brackets).

What was regular gas in Maryland in this snapshot?

87-octane gas is listed at $3.826 per gallon (AAA, June 2026) in the explorer data.

How should a household read Maryland's cost-of-living index?

The index is 121.1 against a US baseline of 100. A salary that buys a basket at the baseline would need about 121.1% of that salary to buy the same basket in Maryland in this snapshot. It is not a tax bill, a rent quote, or financial advice.

Sources: Tax Foundation (sales tax), BEA / ACS (income & COL), AAA gas (June 20, 2026). State income-tax blurb: Maryland Comptroller — Withholding Tax Facts 2026. Educational, not financial, tax, or relocation advice. Income-tax blurb on this page was updated October 2026.