Maryland vs Pennsylvania: take-home pay compared
On a $100,000 salary, a single filer keeps about $4,307 more per year in Pennsylvania than in Maryland, from state income tax alone. Compare any salary below.
- Federal income tax
- $13,170
- FICA
- $7,650
- State income tax
- $7,377
- Effective rate
- 28.2%
- Federal income tax
- $13,170
- FICA
- $7,650
- State income tax
- $3,070
- Effective rate
- 23.89%
On a $100,000 salary, you keep $4,307 more per year in Pennsylvania than in Maryland, that’s $359/month of difference, purely from state income tax.
To match Pennsylvania’s $76,110 take-home while living in Maryland, you’d need to earn about $106,903, a $6,903 raise.
Compares state income tax only (federal tax and FICA are identical in both states). It does notinclude property tax, sales tax, or local/city income taxes. A state with no income tax (e.g. Texas, Florida) often makes up revenue through higher property or sales tax, so the income-tax winner isn’t always the cheaper place to live. 2026 estimate, standard deduction, not tax advice.
Maryland vs Pennsylvania take-home pay, by salary
Annual take-home pay for a single filer in 2026, after federal, FICA, and state income tax.
| Salary | Maryland | Pennsylvania | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $38,953 | $40,820 | −$1,867 PA |
| $75,000 | $56,203 | $59,290 | −$3,087 PA |
| $100,000 | $71,803 | $76,110 | −$4,307 PA |
| $150,000 | $102,284 | $109,186 | −$6,902 PA |
| $200,000 | $133,087 | $142,787 | −$9,700 PA |
| $250,000 | $162,992 | $175,507 | −$12,515 PA |
FAQ
- Do you pay less tax in Maryland or Pennsylvania?
- On a $100,000 salary, a single filer keeps about $4,307 more per year in Pennsylvania than in Maryland, looking at state income tax alone. The gap grows or shrinks with income. Use the calculator above for your salary.
- Does this include property and sales tax?
- No. This compares state income tax only. Federal income tax and FICA are the same in both states.
- What about moving mid-year?
- In the year you move, you typically file part-year resident returns in both states and split your income by your move date, so your first-year savings are smaller than a full-year comparison suggests.
2026 figures maintained by Larry Osakwe · Brackets from IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-32, wage base from SSA. Not a CPA or a tax attorney; these are estimates, not tax advice.