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HEAD-TO-HEAD TAX COMPARISON · 2026

COUNTRY A Virginia VS COUNTRY B Maryland

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

Daniel · CountryTaxCalc Updated April 2026 Tax Comparison 2026
Calculate your take-home → See all comparisons →
OVERVIEW
Virginia has lower property taxes than Maryland — 0.90% versus 1.06% average effective rate. On a $600,000 DC-suburb home, Virginia saves approximately $960/year in property tax. Beyond property tax, Maryland levies a county income tax (typically 2.25–3.2% depending on county) on top of state income…
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
Virginia
TAX RATE
0.90%
Avg Effective Rate
Below national average; rates vary significantly by locality — Northern VA higher
🦀
COUNTRY B
Maryland
TAX RATE
1.06%
Avg Effective Rate
Above VA; county income tax adds significantly to Maryland's total burden
TYPICAL ANNUAL DIFFERENCE
Moving from Maryland → Virginia at $600,000 home
$960
Virginia saves on property tax
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
🏛️ VA TAX
🦀 MD TAX
SAVINGS
10-YEAR
$400,000 home
$3,600
$4,240
$640
$6,400
$500,000 home
$4,500
$5,300
$800
$8,000
$600,000 home
$5,400
$6,360
$960
$9,600
$750,000 home
$6,750
$7,950
$1,200
$12,000
$1,000,000 home
$9,000
$10,600
$1,600
$16,000
$1,500,000 home
$13,500
$15,900
$2,400
$24,000
💡

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🏛️

Virginia Pros & Cons

+ PROS
  • Lower average property tax rate than Maryland
  • No county income tax (unlike MD which charges 2.25–3.2%)
  • Virginia income tax max 5.75% vs MD max 5.75% — similar state rates
  • Northern VA (Fairfax, Loudoun) has excellent schools with lower total tax
− CONS
  • Personal property tax on vehicles (approximately 4.57% of value annually in many localities)
  • Northern Virginia localities (Fairfax, Arlington) have higher property rates
  • Car tax can add $1,000–$2,500+/year for households with newer vehicles
  • BPOL (business license tax) on gross receipts for self-employed
🦀

Maryland Pros & Cons

+ PROS
  • Proximity to DC without Virginia car tax burden
  • Strong public transit in Montgomery/PG County areas
  • Maryland Homestead Tax Credit caps assessment increases at 10%/year
  • No personal property tax on vehicles
− CONS
  • Higher average property tax rate
  • County income tax: 2.25–3.2% additional on top of state income tax
  • Maryland state income tax: 2–5.75% (similar to VA)
  • Combined state + county income tax can reach 9% for top earners
FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it cheaper to live in Virginia or Maryland for DC commuters?

Virginia is generally cheaper in total taxes for most DC-area households. The key differences: (1) Virginia has no county income tax; Maryland charges 2.25–3.2% county income tax on top of state rates. On a $150,000 income, Maryland's county tax adds approximately $3,400–$4,800/year. (2) Virginia's property tax is moderately lower. (3) Virginia charges an annual personal property tax on vehicles (~$500–$2,000/year for most households); Maryland does not. For a DC-area household earning $150,000 in a $700,000 home: Virginia typically costs $2,000–$4,000 less per year in total taxes despite the car tax.

What is Maryland's county income tax?

Maryland is one of the few US states that allows counties and Baltimore City to levy their own income tax. Rates range from 2.25% (Dorchester, Worcester) to 3.2% (several counties including Baltimore City, Prince George's, Anne Arundel). Montgomery County is 3.2%; Howard County is 3.2%; Prince George's is 3.2%. This is in addition to Maryland's state income tax of 2–5.75%. A Montgomery County resident earning $200,000 pays approximately $8,400 in county income tax alone — a cost Virginians in equivalent Northern VA localities avoid entirely.

Does Virginia's car tax significantly change the comparison?

Virginia's personal property tax on vehicles is a genuine cost that Maryland residents don't face. In Fairfax County, the rate is 4.57% of assessed value (using NADA clean trade-in value at 100% in most localities). A household with two cars worth $40,000 combined pays approximately $1,830/year. Some cities have rates above 5%. This partially offsets Virginia's property tax and county income tax advantages. However, for most households the income tax savings from avoiding Maryland's county tax still exceed Virginia's car tax cost. Vehicles depreciate; the car tax burden decreases over time.

Where in Northern Virginia has the lowest property tax?

Property tax rates vary significantly across Northern Virginia. Lower effective rates: Loudoun County approximately 0.87% (plus growing assessment base due to rapid development); Prince William County approximately 0.98%; Stafford County approximately 0.83%. Higher rates: Arlington County approximately 1.03%; Alexandria City approximately 1.07%; Fairfax County approximately 1.00%. By comparison, most Maryland DC suburbs (Montgomery, Howard, Prince George's counties) range from 0.95–1.20% effective rate. The combination of Loudoun or Prince William County Virginia rates plus no county income tax makes these areas particularly tax-efficient for DC-area homeowners.
From the brief
PT38.4%−9.6 vs. headline
CY17.8%incl. 60-day rule
AE 0.0%substance required
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