Is Maryland or Massachusetts a better state to live in?

Based on our composite scoring, Massachusetts ranks higher overall. Maryland is #18 and Massachusetts is #12 out of 50 states. Maryland wins 4 of 11 categories, while Massachusetts wins 7.

How does Maryland compare to Massachusetts in cost of living?

Maryland has a cost of living index of 104, while Massachusetts's is 108 (100 = national average). Maryland is more affordable.

Which state is safer, Maryland or Massachusetts?

Maryland has 415 violent crimes per 100K residents, vs 345 in Massachusetts. Massachusetts has the lower crime rate.

What are the median incomes in Maryland vs Massachusetts?

Maryland's median household income is $98,461, compared to $101,370 in Massachusetts.

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

B+

Maryland

#18·Northeast

66.9Composite Score

VSMassachusetts leads

B+

Massachusetts

#12·Northeast

70.3Composite Score

4MD wins

7MA wins

Category Overlay

MarylandMassachusetts

Category Scores

💰 EconomyMD +25.7

83.6

57.9

🛡️ SafetyMA +9.4

51.3

60.7

🏥 HealthMA +12.3

85.7

98.0

🎓 EducationMA +32.7

67.3

100.0

💼 Fiscal HealthMD +4.9

55.0

50.1

📈 GrowthMD +12.4

42.2

29.8

🏠 AffordabilityMD +28.6

54.6

26.0

🌿 EnvironmentMA +8.3

46.1

54.4

🏞️ Outdoor AccessMA +20.2

11.8

32.0

🚇 TransportationMA +12.2

43.2

55.4

🎭 LivabilityMA +20.3

22.9

43.2

Key Metrics Comparison

Metric	Maryland	Massachusetts	Winner
Population	6,180,253	7,001,399	MA
Median Income	$98,461	$101,370	MA
Unemployment	2.9%	4.9%	MD
Violent Crime Rate(per 100K)	415	345	MA
Cost of Living(100 = national avg)	104	108	MD
HS Graduation Rate	88%	90%	MA
Life Expectancy	78 yr	80.4 yr	MA
Pop Growth	+0.7%	+0.9%	MA

Maryland vs Massachusetts: How Do They Compare?

Maryland ranks #18 overall with a composite score of 66.9, earning a B+ grade. Massachusetts sits at #12 with 70.3 and a B+ grade. Massachusetts has the edge overall, winning 7 of 11 categories.

On the economic front, Maryland has 2.9% unemployment and a $98,461 median income, while Massachusetts reports 4.9% unemployment and $101,370 median income.

For safety, Maryland's violent crime rate is 415 per 100K compared to 345 in Massachusetts. Cost of living favors Maryland with an index of 104 vs 108.

Explore These States

Maryland Full Profile66.9 Massachusetts Full Profile70.3 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