Is Maryland or New Jersey a better state to live in?

Based on our composite scoring, Maryland ranks higher overall. Maryland is #18 and New Jersey is #19 out of 50 states. Maryland wins 7 of 11 categories, while New Jersey wins 4.

How does Maryland compare to New Jersey in cost of living?

Maryland has a cost of living index of 104, while New Jersey's is 109 (100 = national average). Maryland is more affordable.

Which state is safer, Maryland or New Jersey?

Maryland has 415 violent crimes per 100K residents, vs 195 in New Jersey. New Jersey has the lower crime rate.

What are the median incomes in Maryland vs New Jersey?

Maryland's median household income is $98,461, compared to $97,126 in New Jersey.

Maryland vs New Jersey: Side-by-Side (2026)

B+

Maryland

#18·Northeast

66.9Composite Score

VSMaryland leads

New Jersey

#19·Northeast

65.1Composite Score

7MD wins

4NJ wins

Category Overlay

MarylandNew Jersey

Category Scores

💰 EconomyMD +28.5

83.6

55.1

🛡️ SafetyNJ +29.4

51.3

80.7

🏥 HealthMD +4.1

85.7

81.6

🎓 EducationNJ +28.6

67.3

95.9

💼 Fiscal HealthMD +21.8

55.0

33.2

📈 GrowthMD +15.0

42.2

27.2

🏠 AffordabilityMD +10.2

54.6

44.4

🌿 EnvironmentMD +8.7

46.1

37.4

🏞️ Outdoor AccessMD +5.3

11.8

6.5

🚇 TransportationNJ +7.4

43.2

50.6

🎭 LivabilityNJ +7.3

22.9

30.2

Key Metrics Comparison

Metric	Maryland	New Jersey	Winner
Population	6,180,253	9,290,841	NJ
Median Income	$98,461	$97,126	MD
Unemployment	2.9%	4.8%	MD
Violent Crime Rate(per 100K)	415	195	NJ
Cost of Living(100 = national avg)	104	109	MD
HS Graduation Rate	88%	91%	NJ
Life Expectancy	78 yr	79.5 yr	NJ
Pop Growth	+0.7%	+0.7%	Tie

Maryland vs New Jersey: How Do They Compare?

Maryland ranks #18 overall with a composite score of 66.9, earning a B+ grade. New Jersey sits at #19 with 65.1 and a B grade. Maryland 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 New Jersey reports 4.8% unemployment and $97,126 median income.

For safety, Maryland's violent crime rate is 415 per 100K compared to 195 in New Jersey. Cost of living favors Maryland with an index of 104 vs 109.

Explore These States

Maryland Full Profile66.9 New Jersey Full Profile65.1 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