Virginia vs Maryland Taxes: DMV Comparison
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Virginia vs Maryland Taxes 2026: Complete DMV Comparison
Virginia and Maryland compete for DC-area workers and residents. Both are expensive states, but which has the better tax situation? Virginia wins decisively for most income levels.
Quick Comparison
| Tax Category | Virginia | Maryland | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Income Tax | 2% - 5.75% | 2% - 5.75% + county | ⭐ Virginia |
| County Income Tax (MD) | N/A | +2.25% - 3.2% | ⭐ Virginia |
| Sales Tax | 5.3% - 6% | 6% | ⭐ Virginia |
| Property Tax | 0.82% | 1.09% | ⭐ Virginia |
| Total Tax Burden | 11.2% | 11.3% | ⭐ Virginia |
Bottom Line: Virginia wins on virtually every metric. Maryland's county income taxes make it significantly more expensive for most residents.
Income Tax: The County Tax Killer
Virginia: 2% - 5.75%
Single Filers (2026):
- 2% on first $3,000
- 3% on $3,001-$5,000
- 5% on $5,001-$17,000
- 5.75% on $17,001+
Examples:
- $75K = $4,028
- $100K = $5,465
- $150K = $8,340
Maryland: State + County
State Tax (2026):
- 2% on first $1,000
- 3% on $1,001-$2,000
- 4% on $2,001-$3,000
- 4.75% on $3,001-$100,000
- 5% on $100,001-$125,000
- 5.25% on $125,001-$150,000
- 5.50% on $150,001-$250,000
- 5.75% on $250,001+
PLUS County Income Tax: 2.25% - 3.2%
Total Top Rate:
- Montgomery County: 8.95% (5.75% + 3.2%)
- Prince George's County: 8.7% (5.75% + 2.95%)
Examples (Montgomery County):
- $75K = $6,112
- $100K = $8,445
- $150K = $13,195
Income Tax Winner
Virginia saves $2,000-5,000/year for most DMV residents!
Property Tax: VA Wins
Virginia
Average: 0.82%
- Northern VA higher: ~1.0%
- $500K home = ~$5,000/year
Maryland
Average: 1.09%
- Montgomery County: ~1.0%
- $500K home = ~$5,450/year
Virginia saves ~$450/year on property tax
Sales Tax: VA Wins
Virginia
- State: 4.3%
- Most areas: 5.3% - 6%
- Northern VA: 6%
Maryland
- State + county: 6%
Roughly similar, slight edge to VA
Real-World Scenarios
Scenario 1: DC Commuter (Fairfax VA vs Montgomery MD)
Income: $130,000
$600K home
Fairfax County, VA:
- Income: $7,403
- Property: $6,000
- Sales: $2,400
- Total: $15,803
Montgomery County, MD:
- Income: $11,491
- Property: $6,000
- Sales: $2,400
- Total: $19,891
VA saves: $4,088/year 🎉
Scenario 2: Family (Arlington VA vs PG County MD)
Income: $180,000 (married)
$750K home
2 kids
Arlington, VA:
- Income: $10,215
- Property: $7,500
- Sales: $3,000
- Total: $20,715
Prince George's, MD:
- Income: $15,566
- Property: $8,175
- Sales: $3,000
- Total: $26,741
VA saves: $6,026/year 🎉
Scenario 3: Federal Employee
Income: $95,000
Rents apartment
Virginia:
- Income: $5,278
- Sales: $2,120
- Total: $7,398
Maryland (Montgomery):
- Income: $7,763
- Sales: $2,400
- Total: $10,163
VA saves: $2,765/year 🎉
Which State Wins?
Virginia Better For:
✅ Nearly everyone (lower income tax)
✅ High earners (huge county tax savings)
✅ DC commuters (Metro access, lower taxes)
✅ Young professionals
✅ Those maximizing savings
Maryland Better For:
✅ Those requiring MD location (Johns Hopkins, NIH, etc.)
✅ Baltimore-area workers (cheaper than VA, different job market)
✅ Crab lovers (better access to Bay)
✅ Those who really value MD schools (though VA has great schools too)
Honestly, VA wins for taxes in almost every scenario.
Special Considerations
DC Workers: Many federal employees choose between VA and MD. VA wins on taxes, but consider:
- Commute patterns
- School quality (both excellent in wealthy suburbs)
- Lifestyle preferences
Maryland 529 Tax Deduction: MD offers $5K/individual ($2,500 married) state tax deduction for 529 contributions. VA offers none. Small advantage for MD parents.
Virginia vs Maryland Cost of Living:
- Similar housing costs in DC suburbs
- VA saves significantly on taxes
- Other costs roughly equivalent
DC Tax Trap: DC has high income tax (up to 10.75%). Living in VA/MD and working in DC means you pay DC tax on DC-source income. But VA/MD residents still come out ahead.
FAQ
Q: If I live in VA and work in DC, who taxes me?
DC taxes your DC-source income. VA gives you a credit for taxes paid to DC, so you don't double-pay. Net result: you pay DC rate on work income, but VA rate on other income.
Q: Which has better schools?
Both have excellent suburban school systems. Fairfax County (VA) and Montgomery County (MD) both rank among the nation's best.
Q: Metro accessibility?
Both VA and MD have extensive Metro coverage in DC suburbs. Roughly equivalent.
Q: Cost of living difference?
Northern VA and MD suburbs are similarly expensive. But VA's lower taxes effectively make it 3-5% cheaper for most households.
Q: Why does MD have county income tax?
Historical funding mechanism for local services. Counties control their rate. Makes MD much less competitive.
Conclusion
For virtually all DMV residents, Virginia offers $2,000-6,000/year in tax savings compared to Maryland—mainly due to MD's county income taxes.
A $130K earner in Fairfax VA vs Montgomery MD saves $4,088/year—that's $122,640 over 30 years, or $456,000 invested at 7%.
Maryland offers great quality of life, but Virginia's tax advantage is undeniable.
Calculate Your Savings:
Last Updated: Jan 2, 2026