Quick answer
Tennessee has lower average 1BR rent ($1,238/mo vs $1,550/mo). State income tax: Tennessee (None) vs Maryland (Up to 5.75%) — on a $120K salary that's $6,900/year difference.
State Comparison · 2026
Maryland vs Tennessee
Side-by-side on state income tax, rent, home prices, climate, and top metros — with specific dollar numbers for every claim.
Last updated: April 23, 2026
Maryland vs Tennessee at a Glance
| Metric | Maryland | Tennessee |
|---|---|---|
| Avg 1BR rent (major metros) | $1,550 | $1,238 ✓ |
| Avg median home price | $315K | $304K ✓ |
| Cheapest city | Baltimore ($1,550) | Memphis ($980) ✓ |
| Priciest city | Baltimore ($1,550) | Nashville ($1,520) |
| State income tax | Up to 5.75% | None ✓ |
| Avg walkability | 68/100 ✓ | 35/100 |
| Cities tracked | 1 | 4 |
✓ marks the lower or more favorable value. Averages use the major metros we track in each state.
State Income Tax: Real Savings
What the rate gap actually looks like in your paycheck. Lower rate: Tennessee (None).
Salary $80K
$4,600
/year saved in Tennessee
Salary $120K
$6,900
/year saved in Tennessee
Salary $200K
$11,500
/year saved in Tennessee
Calculation uses the effective state rate difference × gross salary. Doesn't include property tax, sales tax, or federal impact.
Deep Dive: Each State
Maryland (MD)
Tax reality
Maryland has a progressive state income tax up to 5.75% plus a local county tax (1.75-3.2% depending on county — Montgomery County is 3.2%). Combined state+local top rate is around 9% for high earners in DC suburbs. Property tax is moderate (~1.1% effective). No estate tax below $5M.
Top cities (1 tracked)
Top drawbacks
- ✕Maryland state + local income tax combined hits 9% for high earners in Montgomery County — among the highest in the US.
- ✕Baltimore city has real violent crime — top-5 US city for homicide per capita. Specific neighborhoods are safe; others have serious crime. Visitors and new residents should research neighborhoods carefully.
- ✕DC-suburb traffic is notorious — I-270, I-495 (Beltway), and US-29 are all regularly gridlocked. Metro Red Line offers an alternative for some commuters but has reliability issues.
Tennessee (TN)
Tax reality
Tennessee has no state income tax on W-2 wages or investment income. Sales tax is 7% state + local, totaling 9.25-9.75% in most metros — one of the highest sales tax rates in the US. No estate tax. Property tax is low (~0.7% effective in Nashville, lower in rural areas).
Top cities (4 tracked)
Top drawbacks
- ✕Sales tax 9.25%+ is punishing. Every purchase stings — gas, groceries (yes, groceries are taxed here), and retail.
- ✕Nashville traffic has become very bad as the metro has grown. I-24 and I-65 corridor are regularly backed up; the state has underinvested in transit.
- ✕Summers are humid subtropical — regular 90°F + 75% humidity from June through September, and thunderstorm season can be intense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Maryland or Tennessee cheaper to live in?
Tennessee has lower average 1BR rent across major metros — $1,238/mo vs $1,550/mo in Maryland, a $312/mo difference. Home prices: Tennessee median is $304K vs $315K.
Maryland vs Tennessee: which has lower state income tax?
Tennessee has lower state income tax (None) vs Up to 5.75% in Maryland. On an $80K salary that's $4,600/year in savings. On $200K, savings grow to $11,500/year.
Should I move from Maryland to Tennessee?
Maryland has a progressive state income tax up to 5.75% plus a local county tax (1.75-3.2% depending on county — Montgomery County is 3.2%). Combined state+local top rate is around 9% for high earners in DC suburbs. Property tax is moderate (~1.1% effective). No estate tax below $5M.
What are the best cities in Maryland vs Tennessee?
Maryland's largest metros include Baltimore. Tennessee's largest metros include Nashville, Memphis, Chattanooga. Cost of living varies significantly within each state — a Maryland suburb can be 40% cheaper than its flagship city, and vice versa.