Tax arbitrage

Maryland take-home pay

Ranked against every other state and DC for the same salary, filing status, dependents, retirement savings, and pay frequency.

Maryland at $85,000

Maryland ranks 35 of 51 on a $85,000 salary, leaving an estimated $64,954 a year — $3,674 less than the highest-ranked jurisdiction. The full spread between first and last is $7,196.

Take-home pay at $85,000,Maryland against the highest and lowest ranked jurisdictions
RankJurisdictionTake-homeBehind first
1Florida$68,628—
35Maryland$64,954$3,674
51Oregon$61,432$7,196

Where this sits in Maryland's schedule

Maryland runs a graduated schedule of 10 bands. After $6,550 of state deductions it taxes $78,450, putting the top dollar in the 4.75% band and producing $3,674 of state tax — 4.32% of gross pay. Its 4.75% band ends at $100,000 of state taxable income, $21,550 above where this salary lands.

Where a move from Maryland gains most

Ranked by what each would add to take-home pay against Maryland's $64,954, on the same salary and profile. This is before cost of living, which routinely reverses the order — the highest-ranked jurisdictions here are not the cheapest places to live.

The five largest take-home gains against Maryland at $85,000
JurisdictionRankTake-homeGained a year
Florida1$68,628$3,674
Nevada2$68,628$3,674
New Hampshire3$68,628$3,674
South Dakota4$68,628$3,674
Tennessee5$68,628$3,674

A single filer paid biweekly, no dependents and no 401(k) contribution, on 2026 federal, FICA and state rules reviewed through 2026-08-09. State income tax only — local and municipal taxes are excluded, as is cost of living.

Common questions

Where does Maryland rank for take-home pay in 2026?

Maryland ranks 35 of 51 US jurisdictions on an $85,000 single-filer salary, keeping an estimated $64,954 a year after federal tax, FICA and state tax. The spread between the highest- and lowest-ranked jurisdiction on that same salary is $7,196.

How much more would I keep in Florida than in Maryland?

About $3,674 a year on an $85,000 salary. Florida ranks first of 51 and Maryland ranks 35. That figure is before cost of living, which routinely reverses the order — the jurisdictions that keep the most of a paycheck are not generally the cheapest places to spend it.

Is it worth moving out of Maryland to pay less tax?

Not on this figure alone. The whole national spread on an $85,000 salary is $7,196 a year, and a difference in rent or mortgage of a few hundred dollars a month erases most of that. This ranking is a starting point for the tax question, not an answer to the moving question.