What it costs to live and work in Maryland: the minimum wage, state income tax, sales tax and median rent, from official sources, and what they mean for your monthly budget.
| Maryland | Source | |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage | $15.00 an hour | US Department of Labor, State Minimum Wage Laws (updated July 1, 2026) |
| State income tax | 2 % to 6.5 % | Tax Foundation, State Individual Income Tax Rates and Brackets, 2026 |
| State sales tax | 6 % | Tax Foundation, State and Local Sales Tax Rates, Midyear 2026 (as of July 1, 2026) |
| Median gross rent | $1,721 a month (2024) | US Census Bureau, ACS 2024 1-year estimates, table B25064 Median Gross Rent |
Maryland's minimum wage is $15.00 an hour.
Maryland has graduated rates from 2 % to 6.5 %; the top rate applies to single filers above $1,000,000.
The state sales tax is 6 %, with no local sales taxes.
What income does rent in Maryland take?
A common rule of thumb is to keep rent at or below 30 % of gross income. At the median rent of $1,721 a month, that means a household income of about $68,800 a year before tax.
Sources
- US Department of Labor, State Minimum Wage Laws (updated July 1, 2026) (2026-07-01)
- Tax Foundation, State Individual Income Tax Rates and Brackets, 2026 (2026-02-19)
- Tax Foundation, State and Local Sales Tax Rates, Midyear 2026 (as of July 1, 2026) (2026-07-06)
- US Census Bureau, ACS 2024 1-year estimates, table B25064 Median Gross Rent (2025-09)
- Maryland Department of Legislative Services, 2026 County Local Tax Rates (2026)