One word: Pepco.

Actually, MD's base income tax is slight less. However, MD hits you with a ton of other taxes, including county taxes that add up a lot.

For comparison of the basic state income tax: on $100,000 income, VA would tax you http://www.bankrate.com/brm/itax/edit/state/profiles/state_tax_Va.asp:

[$60]-- 2 percent on the first $3,000 of taxable income
[$60]-- 3 percent on taxable income between $3,001 and $5,000
[$600]-- 5 percent on taxable income between $5,001 and $17,000
[$4772.5]-- 5.75 percent on taxable income of $17,001 and above.

Total $5432.50

Maryland would tax you http://individuals.marylandtaxes.com/incometax/ratesbrackets.asp:
[$20] 2 percent $0 - $1,000 2 percent
[$30] $1,000 - $2,000 $20 plus 3 percent of the excess over $1,000
[$40] $2,000 - $3,000 $50 plus 4 percent of the excess over $2,000
[4607.50] $3,000 - $200,000 $90 plus 4.75 percent of the excess over $3,000

Total $4697.50

The cap for single, married filing separately or dependants is $150,000 for the last category.
Now, when you go above $200K ($150K for singles), then the rates jump very high. So, the
lower and middle classes pay less in MD than in VA, but the rich pay significantly more.

And this does not include county taxes which range from 1.25%-3.20%. For our $100K example,
that would be $12.50-$32 more depending on which county you live in. Still less than VA for up
to $100K.

The problem with taxes in MD is that there are many more of them besides just basic income
tax. Many that aren't assessed in VA. Others that are more expensive than VA (such as
property taxes and estate taxes). All of these add up so that the average resident pays more
in taxes. However, not everyone pays all of the other taxes, so for individuals, it can vary a lot.

Anonymous wrote:Yes, MD is a less conducive business environment. That's not exactly news. And that's why the state is not haphazardly built up like parts of NoVa (Tysons, Chantilly, Fairfax, etc.) Ad yes, MD has a slightly higher tax burden, although once you figure in all forms of taxes (like the car tax) the apples to apples difference is not as large.

Different strokes for different folks - lots of people prefer the NoVa "style", others prefer Md, which for DCUM generally means MoCo.

I honestly only live in VA because that is where we work. I spent my first 13 years in MD (not DC area) and would happily move to the MD burbs since I have extended family in both MoCo and HoCo. After watching the horrific goings on in Richmond this past session, I am so ready to separate NoVA from RoVA. If MD made any sense commute wise and we hadn't JUST bought a house here, I'd happily leave this state.

Yes, MD is a less conducive business environment. That's not exactly news. And that's why the state is not haphazardly built up like parts of NoVa (Tysons, Chantilly, Fairfax, etc.) Ad yes, MD has a slightly higher tax burden, although once you figure in all forms of taxes (like the car tax) the apples to apples difference is not as large.

Different strokes for different folks - lots of people prefer the NoVa "style", others prefer Md, which for DCUM generally means MoCo.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you want to pay more in taxes, feel free to move to MD. Not sure your budget will do any better over here especially in MoCo.

I keep hearing that. How much more in taxes would OP really be paying?

With that said, anywhere that's truly a hot spot is going to be pricey. I'd look around Rockville Town Center, downtown Bethesda, and downtown Silver Spring if I were you.

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2011/jun/23/virginia-beats-maryland/

Don't know how valid an editorial from the Times is. An opinion piece quoting the governor of Virginia on my VA is better than MD is going to be biased.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you want to pay more in taxes, feel free to move to MD. Not sure your budget will do any better over here especially in MoCo.

I keep hearing that. How much more in taxes would OP really be paying?

With that said, anywhere that's truly a hot spot is going to be pricey. I'd look around Rockville Town Center, downtown Bethesda, and downtown Silver Spring if I were you.

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2011/jun/23/virginia-beats-maryland/

Anonymous wrote:"I like the new apartments that were supposed to be condos. "

You might want to have a look around the Ballpark area in DC. There's a lot of retail poised to open in the next 6 months or so, lots of new construction rentals and with canal park, and so forth, a pretty young, professional crowd.

The 2 BR's are hovering right around $3,000 for the new apartments in that neighborhood. But you might be able to get a month of free rent out of them. You could likely get a 2 BR for under $3000 at the Allegro at Columbia Heights, or at the Park Place at the Petworth Metro, both built in 2009.

"I like the new apartments that were supposed to be condos. "

You might want to have a look around the Ballpark area in DC. There's a lot of retail poised to open in the next 6 months or so, lots of new construction rentals and with canal park, and so forth, a pretty young, professional crowd.

Anonymous wrote:If you want to pay more in taxes, feel free to move to MD. Not sure your budget will do any better over here especially in MoCo.

I keep hearing that. How much more in taxes would OP really be paying?

With that said, anywhere that's truly a hot spot is going to be pricey. I'd look around Rockville Town Center, downtown Bethesda, and downtown Silver Spring if I were you.

Clarendon is the most expensive apartment market in Virginia. If you are priced out but want something newer and metro-accessible, look around Crystal City, Braddock Road, East Falls Church and Merrifield. There are newer apartments everywhere. Very few newly constructed projects are being reprogrammed from condos to apartments now since the condo market crashed a few years ago, so everything has already switched if it was going to. Newer buildings are being built with the intention of renting.

You should be able to get a 2 BR for under $3,000 at Liberty Tower in Ballston for example, which delivered in 2008 and switched from condos to apartments at that time. There are also 2 BRs under $3000 in Merrifield near the metro.

Gtfo and take your used up ovaries and taxes to md

You might check out downtown Silver Spring too.

Rockville Town Center might feel similar to Courthouse area. Drive over and walk around a bit.

If you want to pay more in taxes, feel free to move to MD. Not sure your budget will do any better over here especially in MoCo.

Former Arlington Va transplant to Alexandria. I feel that Va has out priced my budget and my political views (e.g. my ovaries are my business). I loved Clarendon when i lived there a year ago but now find it too crowded and expensive (3k for a 1 bedroom and I need 2 ).
I like the new apartments that were supposed to be condos. Where in MD is the next hot spot? Rockville? Is there anything like Arlington's court house in DC metro MD?
TIA