Is California or Maryland a better state to live in?

Based on our composite scoring, Maryland ranks higher overall. California is #40 and Maryland is #18 out of 50 states. California wins 3 of 11 categories, while Maryland wins 8.

How does California compare to Maryland in cost of living?

California has a cost of living index of 113, while Maryland's is 104 (100 = national average). Maryland is more affordable.

Which state is safer, California or Maryland?

California has 440 violent crimes per 100K residents, vs 415 in Maryland. Maryland has the lower crime rate.

What are the median incomes in California vs Maryland?

California's median household income is $91,905, compared to $98,461 in Maryland.

California vs Maryland: Side-by-Side (2026)

California

#40·West

42.9Composite Score

VSMaryland leads

B+

Maryland

#18·Northeast

66.9Composite Score

3CA wins

8MD wins

Category Overlay

CaliforniaMaryland

Category Scores

💰 EconomyMD +42.3

41.3

83.6

🛡️ SafetyMD +3.3

48.0

51.3

🏥 HealthMD +16.3

69.4

85.7

🎓 EducationMD +20.4

46.9

67.3

💼 Fiscal HealthMD +7.5

47.5

55.0

📈 GrowthMD +32.1

10.1

42.2

🏠 AffordabilityMD +47.4

7.2

54.6

🌿 EnvironmentMD +21.4

24.7

46.1

🏞️ Outdoor AccessCA +29.0

40.8

11.8

🚇 TransportationCA +2.5

45.7

43.2

🎭 LivabilityCA +14.6

37.5

22.9

Key Metrics Comparison

Metric	California	Maryland	Winner
Population	38,965,193	6,180,253	CA
Median Income	$91,905	$98,461	MD
Unemployment	5.4%	2.9%	MD
Violent Crime Rate(per 100K)	440	415	MD
Cost of Living(100 = national avg)	113	104	MD
HS Graduation Rate	85%	88%	MD
Life Expectancy	79.8 yr	78 yr	CA
Pop Growth	+0.2%	+0.7%	MD

California vs Maryland: How Do They Compare?

California ranks #40 overall with a composite score of 42.9, earning a C grade. Maryland sits at #18 with 66.9 and a B+ grade. Maryland has the edge overall, winning 8 of 11 categories.

On the economic front, California has 5.4% unemployment and a $91,905 median income, while Maryland reports 2.9% unemployment and $98,461 median income.

For safety, California's violent crime rate is 440 per 100K compared to 415 in Maryland. Cost of living favors Maryland with an index of 104 vs 113.

Explore These States

California Full Profile42.9 Maryland Full Profile66.9 Compare Other States→

Data Sources

📎Bureau of Labor Statistics, LAUS (Dec 2025)📎U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2024📎FBI Uniform Crime Reporting, 2024📎America's Health Rankings, 2025📎WalletHub/NAEP, 2025📎U.S. Census Bureau, Vintage 2024📎Cook Political Report, PVI 2024📎Tax Foundation, Facts & Figures 2025📎ALEC Rich States Poor States, 2025📎WalletHub Tax Burden Study, 2025📎U.S. Census Bureau / FHFA, 2025📎BEA Regional Price Parities, 2023📎EPA AirData, Median AQI by County 2024📎EIA State Electricity Profiles, 2024📎FEMA National Risk Index v1.20, 2025📎U.S. Census Bureau, Net Domestic Migration 2024📎FCC / BroadbandNow, Broadband Access 2025📎National Park Service API, 2024📎USGS Protected Areas Database (PAD-US), 2024📎U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns 2022📎U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2023 (Commuting)📎FHWA Highway Statistics, 2023📎U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns 2022📎EIA State Electricity Profiles, 2024📎EIA Natural Gas Prices, 2024📎DOL National Database of Childcare Prices, 2023📎BEA Regional Price Parities (Food), 2023📎NCES Common Core of Data (CCD), 2023-24📎EDFacts ACGR Graduation Rates, 2021-22📎NCES School District Finance Survey (F-33), 2022-23📎BEA GDP by State (SAGDP9), 2023📎NASBO Fiscal Survey of States, FY2023📎Census Bureau State Government Finances, FY2022📎Pew Charitable Trusts Fiscal 50, FY2023📎Pew Charitable Trusts, FY2022📎S&P/Moody's via Ballotpedia, 2025📎Bureau of Labor Statistics, OES (May 2023)📎IRS Statistics of Income, Migration Data 2021-2022