Quick answer
Maryland has lower average 1BR rent ($1,550/mo vs $2,100/mo). State income tax: Maryland (Up to 5.75%) vs Hawaii (11% (top)) — on a $120K salary that's $1,500/year difference.
State Comparison · 2026
Hawaii vs Maryland
Side-by-side on state income tax, rent, home prices, climate, and top metros — with specific dollar numbers for every claim.
Last updated: April 23, 2026
Hawaii vs Maryland at a Glance
| Metric | Hawaii | Maryland |
|---|---|---|
| Avg 1BR rent (major metros) | $2,100 | $1,550 ✓ |
| Avg median home price | $875K | $315K ✓ |
| Cheapest city | Honolulu ($2,100) | Baltimore ($1,550) ✓ |
| Priciest city | Honolulu ($2,100) | Baltimore ($1,550) |
| State income tax | 11% (top) | Up to 5.75% ✓ |
| Avg walkability | 64/100 | 68/100 ✓ |
| Cities tracked | 1 | 1 |
✓ marks the lower or more favorable value. Averages use the major metros we track in each state.
State Income Tax: Real Savings
What the rate gap actually looks like in your paycheck. Lower rate: Maryland (Up to 5.75%).
Salary $80K
$1,000
/year saved in Maryland
Salary $120K
$1,500
/year saved in Maryland
Salary $200K
$2,500
/year saved in Maryland
Calculation uses the effective state rate difference × gross salary. Doesn't include property tax, sales tax, or federal impact.
Deep Dive: Each State
Hawaii (HI)
Tax reality
State income tax reaches 11% at top bracket. Add GET (Gross Excise Tax) at 4.712% applied to most services and products, plus real estate conveyance tax of ~0.5% on property sales. A $400k home purchase costs $2,000 in conveyance tax alone.
Top cities (1 tracked)
Top drawbacks
- ✕Groceries cost 40–60% more than mainland USA. A gallon of milk runs $8–10 in Honolulu.
- ✕Housing median price $1.1M on Oahu (2024). Rental vacancy below 2%—nearly impossible to find apartments.
- ✕Limited job market outside tourism, military, and government. Career mobility requires leaving.
Maryland (MD)
Tax reality
Maryland has a progressive state income tax up to 5.75% plus a local county tax (1.75-3.2% depending on county — Montgomery County is 3.2%). Combined state+local top rate is around 9% for high earners in DC suburbs. Property tax is moderate (~1.1% effective). No estate tax below $5M.
Top cities (1 tracked)
Top drawbacks
- ✕Maryland state + local income tax combined hits 9% for high earners in Montgomery County — among the highest in the US.
- ✕Baltimore city has real violent crime — top-5 US city for homicide per capita. Specific neighborhoods are safe; others have serious crime. Visitors and new residents should research neighborhoods carefully.
- ✕DC-suburb traffic is notorious — I-270, I-495 (Beltway), and US-29 are all regularly gridlocked. Metro Red Line offers an alternative for some commuters but has reliability issues.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Hawaii or Maryland cheaper to live in?
Maryland has lower average 1BR rent across major metros — $1,550/mo vs $2,100/mo in Hawaii, a $550/mo difference. Home prices: Maryland median is $315K vs $875K.
Hawaii vs Maryland: which has lower state income tax?
Maryland has lower state income tax (Up to 5.75%) vs 11% (top) in Hawaii. On an $80K salary that's $1,000/year in savings. On $200K, savings grow to $2,500/year.
Should I move from Hawaii to Maryland?
State income tax reaches 11% at top bracket. Add GET (Gross Excise Tax) at 4.712% applied to most services and products, plus real estate conveyance tax of ~0.5% on property sales. A $400k home purchase costs $2,000 in conveyance tax alone.
What are the best cities in Hawaii vs Maryland?
Hawaii's largest metros include Honolulu. Maryland's largest metros include Baltimore. Cost of living varies significantly within each state — a Hawaii suburb can be 40% cheaper than its flagship city, and vice versa.