Compare taxes and see how much you save moving from New York to Maryland
New York’s tax reputation is driven almost entirely by New York City’s city income tax of up to 3.876% on top of the state rate. For upstate New York residents (Albany, Buffalo, Rochester), the state-only rate is actually lower than Maryland’s combined state plus county burden at most income levels. At $100,000, New York state saves $2,957 vs Maryland’s combined rate. However, NYC residents face a combined rate of up to 14.776% — making New York City by far the more expensive option. Maryland’s mandatory county income tax (2.25–3.2%) means all Maryland residents pay a combined rate, while only NYC residents face New York’s city tax surcharge.
Progressive (+ NYC up to 3.876%)
State rates 4–10.9%; NYC residents add up to 3.876% city tax (combined up to 14.776%); upstate NY far lower in practice
State + County (up to ~9.45%)
State 2–5.75% + mandatory county income tax 2.25–3.2%; combined up to ~8.95% for high earners in high-rate counties
At $100,000 income:
That is $246/month back in your pocket!
| Income | NY Tax | MD Tax | Savings | 10-Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $2,697 | $4,355 | $1,658 | $16,580 |
| $75,000 | $4,346 | $6,653 | $2,307 | $23,070 |
| $100,000 | $5,994 | $8,951 | $2,957 | $29,570 |
| $150,000 | $10,222 | $13,546 | $3,324 | $33,240 |
| $250,000 | $22,097 | $22,736 | $639 | $6,390 |
| $500,000 | $48,772 | $45,961 | $0 (MD cheaper by $2,811) | $28,110 |
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Moving between New York and Maryland? NYC city tax, partial-year returns, and Maryland’s county income tax require expert handling. TaxHub connects you with licensed CPAs who specialise in state tax moves.
⚠ Not for simple single-state returns. Free filing is fine for straightforward W-2 situations.
Talk to a CPA About Your State Move →Yes — for residents outside New York City. New York’s state-only income tax is lower than Maryland’s combined state plus county rate at incomes between $50,000 and $250,000, saving $639–$3,324/year. At $500,000, Maryland becomes slightly cheaper ($2,811/year). The critical distinction: all Maryland residents pay county income tax (unavoidable, 2.25–3.2%), while only New York City residents pay the city surcharge. Upstate New Yorkers in Albany or Buffalo pay state tax only — a genuinely lower burden than Maryland’s combined rate.
New York City residents pay both New York state income tax and NYC city income tax. Combined rates reach up to 14.776% for the highest earners (10.9% state + 3.876% NYC). At $100,000 income: approximately $5,994 NY state + $3,876 NYC city = $9,870 combined. At $250,000: approximately $22,097 state + estimated $9,690 NYC = $31,787 combined. This makes NYC residents among the highest-taxed workers of any US city, substantially exceeding Maryland’s combined rate of approximately $22,736 at $250,000.
Maryland requires all residents to pay both state income tax (2–5.75%) and a mandatory county income tax set by each county. County rates range from 2.25% (several counties) to 3.2% (Baltimore City, Howard County at 3.2%). Montgomery County charges 3.2%, Prince George’s 3.2%, Anne Arundel 2.81%, Baltimore County 2.83%. The county tax is withheld alongside state tax and filed together. There is no option to avoid county income tax as a Maryland resident. Combined effective rates for most Maryland residents range from 7.25% to 8.95% depending on county and income level.
For high earners, it depends entirely on location. High earners in upstate New York (Albany, Buffalo, Syracuse) pay state income tax only — significantly less than Maryland at $500,000 (where NY state = $48,772 vs MD combined = $45,961, making Maryland slightly cheaper). High earners in New York City face combined state + city rates of up to 14.776% — far exceeding Maryland. Maryland is better for high earners working in DC suburbs, where federal government salaries, contractor pay, and NIH/defense roles provide higher incomes with a more moderate combined tax rate than NYC.