Maryland vs Virginia

Maryland vs Virginia – might look similar on a map, but living in them feels as different as cats and dogs. People here have serious opinions about which side is better, and it is not just about traffic and commutes. One state wins on commutes, another on green space. One is taking a harder line on the environment; the other is betting big on business. So if you are trying to decide which side of the river to call home, you need to know which state is quietly winning right now.

In this video, I’m going to break down living in Maryland vs Virginia for families. And at the end, I’ll give you my honest take on who should choose Maryland, who should choose Virginia.

Round 1: Jobs & Future Demand

Let’s start with jobs and future demand, because housing follows employment.

There was a time, pre-Covid, when large homes and big yards were avoided like the plague. Then the plague arrived, and it drastically changed what people wanted “home” to look like. People wanted space, home offices, yards. Northern Virginia was sitting there quietly saying, “Hi, we already have a lot of that.”

The simple fact is there is more business in Northern Virginia, and that naturally translates into more demand for homes there. I don’t expect this to change anytime soon unless Maryland can somehow start attracting more employers to the state in a serious way. And given how expensive it is to run a business in Maryland, that’s… unlikely.

Maryland ranks 47th in terms of business operation expense. In 46 states it is cheaper to run a business than it is in Maryland. Virginia consistently ranks much higher as a business-friendly state.

What that means for you is: Virginia housing demand is likely to stay strong, especially in places like Arlington, Alexandria, and Fairfax, because the jobs are close and the business climate is better.

So if you want to ride the wave of where employers are actually going, Virginia has a strong lead on the jobs and demand front. But that doesn’t automatically make it the right choice for you – especially when we start talking about taxes and rules.

Round 2: Taxes & Cost of Living

The part no one wants to think about but absolutely needs to.

In Maryland, there is a state income tax plus a county income tax. That county tax adds roughly another 3% to your income taxes if you live in, say, Montgomery County. Maryland has a history of raising taxes and struggling with a balanced budget. Montgomery County recently increased recordation taxes for properties above $500,000 which, let’s be honest, is almost everything.

In Virginia, there’s just the state income tax. Counties don’t stack another income tax on top because the counties in Virginia have very little taxing authority. But Virginia still finds ways to get you. They have a personal property tax on cars, boats, RVs, planes (all the toys) and that can add up. And on real estate transfers, you’ll see things like “congestion relief” taxes that go into the thousands.

So do many people feel like the financials work out a bit better in Virginia? Yes – especially higher earners who really feel that extra county income tax in Maryland. But it’s not a clean sweep. If you absolutely hate the idea of paying tax every year on your car, that Virginia personal property tax will make your eye twitch.

If you’re on a tight monthly budget, this is where it really helps to sit down with your numbers and compare your potential tax burden because the answer isn’t the same for everyone.

Round 3: Rules, Gas, and “Big Brother”

Alright, let’s talk about rules and regulations, because the personalities of these places really show up here.

In Maryland, especially Montgomery County, if you like gas (not the kind that comes out of your butt,) I’m talking about gas stoves and gas cars – pay attention. They’ve moved to ban gas appliances in new construction and a broader ban is supposed to start in 2026. There are lawsuits, of course, but the direction is clear: less gas, more regulation.

They also banned gas leaf blowers in Montgomery County as of July 2025. You can report people for using gas leaf blowers and they can get fined $500. That sort of big-brother-is-watching and neighbors reporting neighbors is… a theme in Montgomery County. They love their laws, and some people really love enforcing them.

In Virginia, the only rumblings like this you really hear are about gas leaf blowers in places like Alexandria, but the regulatory culture is generally less intense than in MoCo.

This is actually one of the reasons my family lives in DC. My husband is from Baltimore and would never live in Virginia. I won’t move back to Maryland. So, we compromised… and live in the dysfunctional middle. DC may be inefficient, we may have government officials get convicted of fraud and embezzlement and then get re-elected by the same people they failed, we may have rampant crime, but we are not Maryland. And we know how to drive.

So, if you love structure, regulation, and a very active local government, Maryland might feel like home. If you prefer a little less oversight and you’re okay with some quirky taxes, Virginia might be more your speed.

Round 4: Maryland vs Virginia Schools Reality Check

If you have kids, this is probably number one on your mind.

On recent national rankings, Virginia tends to land higher for education overall than Maryland. But those numbers don’t tell you what it feels like on the ground in specific districts.

In Montgomery County (MCPS), it has been a rough few years.

• A superintendent resigned after criticism over mishandling long-running sexual harassment issues with a principal. She was paid over a million dollars to go away.
• There have been repeated issues with weapons in schools, bomb threats, and great teachers leaving because they’re just done with the drama.

The good news: there is a new superintendent, and he’s been in the job about a year now. He’s pushing for more transparency, more decisions at the school level instead of everything being centralized, and they’re finally addressing some of the more ridiculous grading policies.

• No more super generous rounding – where two A’s and a D could magically average out to a B.
• No more “minimal effort” grade where zero was rounded to 50% 
• The Code of Conduct has been tightened so serious infractions like bomb threats or assaulting a teacher jump straight to higher-level consequences.

They’re also working on a new regional model for academic programs to spread things like IB, STEM, leadership, and arts more evenly across high schools. So: there is change on the horizon, but it’s been messy getting here.

Over in Northern Virginia:

• Fairfax County installed weapons detectors in all high schools after issues with weapons and a stabbing at West Potomac.
• Arlington Public Schools has had its own issues, including multiple cases of instructional aides charged with having inappropriate relationships with students. The school board is relatively inexperienced, and the district is a bit top-heavy on administrators per student.
• Alexandria City Public Schools…are still very much a work in progress. They’ve had significant turnover in principals and staff, and that massive high school with around 4,500 students feels more like a college campus than a traditional high school.

So, is Virginia “#1 and perfect” and Maryland “a disaster?” No. Both have strengths, both have flaws, and both are actively trying to fix things. 

If you want more structure and you like the idea of things trending in a more traditional, academically rigorous direction, Montgomery County may be on its way back up. If you want a wider menu of strong suburban school options right now, Fairfax and Arlington have a lot to offer – with some caveats.

Round 5: So… Which Side Is Better for Your Family?

So after all of that, you might be thinking, “Okay Melissa, but just tell me: which side of DC is better for my family?”

Here’s how I break it down with my clients:

You might lean Maryland if…

• You love the idea of living in Montgomery County and you’re drawn to its communities, diversity, and undeniable appreciation for green space and the environment.
• You’re okay with a bit more regulation and tax complexity even if the schools are bumpy right now.
• You’re not as tied to the big job centers in Northern Virginia and can tolerate a slightly longer commute or more hybrid/remote work.

You might lean Virginia if…

• You work in or near Arlington, Alexandria, Tysons, or the Dulles tech corridor and you don’t want to live in your car.
• You like the idea of strong job growth and sustained housing demand helping protect your investment.
• You’d rather deal with a weird car tax than layer a county income tax on top of a state income tax.
• You prefer a slightly less regulation-heavy culture, even if it comes with its own quirks.

For a lot of my clients, the truth is: they start out open to both Maryland and Virginia and we narrow it down together based on commute, schools, and budget. There is no one size fits all, there’s only what is right for your family and budget.

If you’re sitting there with a spreadsheet, 47 school tabs open, and you still can’t figure out where you should live, please do not crowdsource the mom forums. Please don’t do that.

If you’re thinking about buying or selling in the DC area and want someone who actually understands these market dynamics, not just someone who’ll show you houses. I’d love to help. We’ll narrow this whole Maryland vs Virginia decision down to two or three areas that actually make sense for your family.