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HEAD-TO-HEAD TAX COMPARISON · 2026

COUNTRY A Maryland VS COUNTRY B Delaware

Side-by-side analysis of income tax, effective rates, and take-home pay for Maryland and Delaware in 2026.

Daniel · CountryTaxCalc Updated April 2026 Tax Comparison 2026
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OVERVIEW
Maryland has progressive state income tax rates from 2% to 5.75% PLUS county taxes of 2.25% to 3.2%, while Delaware charges progressive rates from 2.2% to 6.6%. Living in Delaware saves $2,450/year on $100k income vs Maryland. Delaware's biggest advantage: NO SALES TAX (vs MD's 6%). Delaware also ha…
Section 01

The Big Picture

Top-line rates and effective take-home for a typical earner — including income tax, social contributions, and applicable surcharges.
🦀
COUNTRY A
Maryland
TAX RATE
2-5.75%
Progressive + County Tax
State 2-5.75% + County 2.25-3.2%
🦅
COUNTRY B
Delaware
TAX RATE
2.2-6.6%
Progressive
7 brackets, up to 6.6%
TYPICAL ANNUAL DIFFERENCE
Moving from Delaware → Maryland at $100,000
$2,450
That's $204/month back in your pocket
Section 02

Tax Savings by Income Level

Net take-home after all income tax, social contributions, and surcharges — for a single employee with no dependents.
GROSS INCOME
🦀 MD TAX
🦅 DE TAX
SAVINGS
10-YEAR
$50,000
$3,475
$2,212
$1,263
$12,630
$100,000
$7,450
$5,212
$2,238
$22,380
$200,000
$16,200
$11,812
$4,388
$43,880
$500,000
$43,000
$31,612
$11,388
$113,880
💡

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Moving from Maryland to Delaware? Multi-state returns are tricky—MD county tax, partial-year residency, DE no sales tax. Get matched with a CPA who specializes in MD/DE tax planning.

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🦀

Maryland Pros & Cons

+ PROS
  • Better job market: Baltimore/DC access (3M+ metro vs Wilmington 720K)
  • Better schools: Montgomery County #2, Howard County #5 in US
  • More amenities: Baltimore culture, restaurants, sports teams
  • Chesapeake Bay: Crab, seafood, beach access (Ocean City)
  • Better transit: DC Metro, MARC trains
− CONS
  • Higher income tax: 8.95% combined (state + county) vs DE 5.2% costs $2,450 on $100k
  • Sales tax: 6% (vs DE 0%) costs $600/year on $10k spending
  • Higher property tax: 1.09% (vs DE 0.61%) costs $1,200-$4,800 more/year
  • Expensive: Overall 15% more expensive than Delaware
  • High cost of living: Housing, food, services all pricey
🦅

Delaware Pros & Cons

+ PROS
  • NO SALES TAX: $0 vs MD 6% saves $600/year on $10k spending
  • Lower income tax: 5.2% effective (vs MD 8.95%) saves $2,450 on $100k
  • Much lower property tax: 0.61% (vs MD 1.09%) saves $1,200-$4,800/year
  • Corporate haven: LLC formation capital, business-friendly
  • Beach access: Rehoboth, Bethany Beach (Delaware beaches)
− CONS
  • Limited job market: Wilmington only 720K metro (vs MD 6M Baltimore/DC)
  • Smaller state: Fewer amenities, entertainment options
  • Limited transit: Car-dependent, no Metro
  • Commuter challenges: Long drives to Baltimore/DC
  • Higher income tax at high incomes: 6.6% vs MD 5.75% state (but county tax makes MD higher overall)
FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

How much will I save moving from Maryland to Delaware?

On $100,000 income, Delaware saves $2,450/year in income tax (DE 5.2% vs MD 8.95% combined state + county). DE has NO SALES TAX (saves $600/year vs MD 6%). Property tax savings are massive: DE 0.61% vs MD 1.09%. On a $500k home, DE pays $3,050/year vs MD $5,450/year—difference of $2,400/year. Total savings: $5,450/year. Over 10 years: $54,500.

Why do retirees move from Maryland to Delaware?

Tax savings and beach access. Delaware has lower income tax on retirement income (5.2% vs MD 8.95%), NO sales tax (vs MD 6%), and much lower property tax (0.61% vs 1.09%). For retiree with $80k pension + $400k home: DE saves $2,000 income tax + $400 sales tax + $1,640 property tax = $4,040/year. Plus Rehoboth/Bethany Beach proximity. Many MD retirees move to DE coastal towns.

Is there significant Maryland to Delaware migration?

Yes, especially among retirees. In 2023, 8,472 people moved MD → DE (vs 4,134 DE → MD), net gain of 4,338 for Delaware. Migration drivers MD → DE: tax savings ($5,450/year at $100k), no sales tax, Delaware beaches, lower cost of living (15% cheaper). Reverse migration (DE → MD) driven by: job opportunities (Baltimore/DC), better schools, more amenities.

Can I work in Maryland and live in Delaware to avoid MD taxes?

No—Maryland will tax MD-source income regardless of residency. If you work in MD but live in DE, you pay MD income tax on those wages. However, you save on: DE's no sales tax (vs MD 6%), lower property tax (0.61% vs 1.09%), and any non-MD income is only taxed by DE at lower rates. Best strategy: work remotely for non-MD company while living in DE.
From the brief
PT38.4%−9.6 vs. headline
CY17.8%incl. 60-day rule
AE 0.0%substance required
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