Is Maryland or Pennsylvania a better state to live in?

Based on our composite scoring, Maryland ranks higher overall. Maryland is #18 and Pennsylvania is #25 out of 50 states. Maryland wins 5 of 11 categories, while Pennsylvania wins 6.

How does Maryland compare to Pennsylvania in cost of living?

Maryland has a cost of living index of 104, while Pennsylvania's is 98 (100 = national average). Pennsylvania is more affordable.

Which state is safer, Maryland or Pennsylvania?

Maryland has 415 violent crimes per 100K residents, vs 313 in Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania has the lower crime rate.

What are the median incomes in Maryland vs Pennsylvania?

Maryland's median household income is $98,461, compared to $73,823 in Pennsylvania.

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

B+

Maryland

#18·Northeast

66.9Composite Score

VSMaryland leads

Pennsylvania

#25·Northeast

58.2Composite Score

5MD wins

6PA wins

Category Overlay

MarylandPennsylvania

Category Scores

💰 EconomyMD +41.8

83.6

41.8

🛡️ SafetyPA +13.6

51.3

64.9

🏥 HealthMD +36.7

85.7

49.0

🎓 EducationPA +12.3

67.3

79.6

💼 Fiscal HealthMD +9.4

55.0

45.6

📈 GrowthMD +11.7

42.2

30.5

🏠 AffordabilityPA +14.0

54.6

68.6

🌿 EnvironmentMD +8.1

46.1

38.0

🏞️ Outdoor AccessPA +8.0

11.8

19.8

🚇 TransportationPA +4.0

43.2

47.2

🎭 LivabilityPA +18.6

22.9

41.5

Key Metrics Comparison

Metric	Maryland	Pennsylvania	Winner
Population	6,180,253	12,961,683	PA
Median Income	$98,461	$73,823	MD
Unemployment	2.9%	4.1%	MD
Violent Crime Rate(per 100K)	415	313	PA
Cost of Living(100 = national avg)	104	98	PA
HS Graduation Rate	88%	88%	Tie
Life Expectancy	78 yr	77.6 yr	MD
Pop Growth	+0.7%	+0.3%	MD

Maryland vs Pennsylvania: How Do They Compare?

Maryland ranks #18 overall with a composite score of 66.9, earning a B+ grade. Pennsylvania sits at #25 with 58.2 and a B grade. Maryland has the edge overall, winning 5 of 11 categories.

On the economic front, Maryland has 2.9% unemployment and a $98,461 median income, while Pennsylvania reports 4.1% unemployment and $73,823 median income.

For safety, Maryland's violent crime rate is 415 per 100K compared to 313 in Pennsylvania. Cost of living favors Pennsylvania with an index of 98 vs 104.

Explore These States

Maryland Full Profile66.9 Pennsylvania Full Profile58.2 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