Is Maryland or Tennessee a better state to live in?

Based on our composite scoring, Maryland ranks higher overall. Maryland is #18 and Tennessee is #36 out of 50 states. Maryland wins 6 of 11 categories, while Tennessee wins 5.

How does Maryland compare to Tennessee in cost of living?

Maryland has a cost of living index of 104, while Tennessee's is 93 (100 = national average). Tennessee is more affordable.

Which state is safer, Maryland or Tennessee?

Maryland has 415 violent crimes per 100K residents, vs 592 in Tennessee. Maryland has the lower crime rate.

What are the median incomes in Maryland vs Tennessee?

Maryland's median household income is $98,461, compared to $64,036 in Tennessee.

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

B+

Maryland

#18·Northeast

66.9Composite Score

VSMaryland leads

Tennessee

#36·South

45.3Composite Score

6MD wins

5TN wins

Category Overlay

MarylandTennessee

Category Scores

💰 EconomyMD +40.1

83.6

43.5

🛡️ SafetyMD +23.6

51.3

27.7

🏥 HealthMD +71.4

85.7

14.3

🎓 EducationMD +32.6

67.3

34.7

💼 Fiscal HealthTN +21.1

55.0

76.1

📈 GrowthTN +20.0

42.2

62.2

🏠 AffordabilityTN +24.1

54.6

78.7

🌿 EnvironmentMD +9.9

46.1

36.2

🏞️ Outdoor AccessTN +1.5

11.8

13.3

🚇 TransportationMD +11.5

43.2

31.7

🎭 LivabilityTN +28.4

22.9

51.3

Key Metrics Comparison

Metric	Maryland	Tennessee	Winner
Population	6,180,253	7,126,489	TN
Median Income	$98,461	$64,036	MD
Unemployment	2.9%	3.3%	MD
Violent Crime Rate(per 100K)	415	592	MD
Cost of Living(100 = national avg)	104	93	TN
HS Graduation Rate	88%	91%	TN
Life Expectancy	78 yr	75.3 yr	MD
Pop Growth	+0.7%	+1%	TN

Maryland vs Tennessee: How Do They Compare?

Maryland ranks #18 overall with a composite score of 66.9, earning a B+ grade. Tennessee sits at #36 with 45.3 and a C grade. Maryland has the edge overall, winning 6 of 11 categories.

On the economic front, Maryland has 2.9% unemployment and a $98,461 median income, while Tennessee reports 3.3% unemployment and $64,036 median income.

For safety, Maryland's violent crime rate is 415 per 100K compared to 592 in Tennessee. Cost of living favors Tennessee with an index of 93 vs 104.

Explore These States

Maryland Full Profile66.9 Tennessee Full Profile45.3 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