4MD wins
7WA wins
Category Overlay
MarylandWashington
Category Scores
💰 EconomyMD +36.7
MD
83.6
WA
46.9
🛡️ SafetyWA +5.8
MD
51.3
WA
57.1
🏥 HealthWA +2.1
MD
85.7
WA
87.8
🎓 EducationMD +10.2
MD
67.3
WA
57.1
💼 Fiscal HealthWA +9.3
MD
55.0
WA
64.3
📈 GrowthMD +3.1
MD
42.2
WA
39.1
🏠 AffordabilityMD +18.3
MD
54.6
WA
36.3
🌿 EnvironmentWA +27.0
MD
46.1
WA
73.1
🏞️ Outdoor AccessWA +23.6
MD
11.8
WA
35.4
🚇 TransportationWA +13.2
MD
43.2
WA
56.4
🎭 LivabilityWA +16.1
MD
22.9
WA
39.0
Key Metrics Comparison
| Metric | Maryland | Washington | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 6,180,253 | 7,812,880 | WA |
| Median Income | $98,461 | $90,325 | MD |
| Unemployment | 2.9% | 4.9% | MD |
| Violent Crime Rate(per 100K) | 415 | 372 | WA |
| Cost of Living(100 = national avg) | 104 | 109 | MD |
| HS Graduation Rate | 88% | 82% | MD |
| Life Expectancy | 78 yr | 79.2 yr | WA |
| Pop Growth | +0.7% | +1% | WA |
Maryland vs Washington: How Do They Compare?
Maryland ranks #18 overall with a composite score of 66.9, earning a B+ grade. Washington sits at #22 with 63.2 and a B grade. Maryland has the edge overall, winning 4 of 11 categories.
On the economic front, Maryland has 2.9% unemployment and a $98,461 median income, while Washington reports 4.9% unemployment and $90,325 median income.
For safety, Maryland's violent crime rate is 415 per 100K compared to 372 in Washington. Cost of living favors Maryland with an index of 104 vs 109.
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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