Best State to Live In Comparison
Quality of Life

Maryland vs Virginia: Best State to Live In

Virginia scores higher as a state to live in Maryland.

Maryland flag
Maryland
MD • South
49.79
Composite living score for comparing states to live in, based on the existing livability score.
Virginia flag
Virginia
VA • South
Winner
56.18
Composite living score for comparing states to live in, based on the existing livability score.

Visual Comparison

Maryland 49.79
Virginia 56.18

Difference: 6.39 points — Virginia leads.

National Rankings

Where They Rank Nationally

See where both states fall among all 50 states for best state to live in.

Maryland #34 · 49.79
Virginia #14 · 56.18
Lowest Highest

Top 10 States — Best State to Live In

#1 Massachusetts flag Massachusetts
60.23
#2 Idaho flag Idaho
60.19
#3 New Jersey flag New Jersey
59.81
#4 Wisconsin flag Wisconsin
59.66
#5 Minnesota flag Minnesota
58.69
#6 Florida flag Florida
58.51
#7 New Hampshire flag New Hampshire
58.21
#8 New York flag New York
57.94
#9 Utah flag Utah
57.94
#10 Pennsylvania flag Pennsylvania
57.90
Selected states
#34 Maryland flag Maryland
49.79
#14 Virginia flag Virginia
56.18

Maryland ranks 34th and Virginia ranks 14th nationally for best state to live in.

What This Means

Maryland vs Virginia: Best State to Live In in context

Virginia has a best state to live in of 56.18, compared with 49.79 in Maryland, a gap of 12.8%. Composite living score for comparing states to live in, based on the existing livability score.

Maryland
49.79
Virginia
56.18
Difference
6.39 points

People Also Ask

Maryland vs Virginia Best State to Live In — Common Questions

Q What is Maryland's best state to live in?

Maryland's best state to live in is 49.79.

Q What is Virginia's best state to live in?

Virginia's best state to live in is 56.18.

Q Which state has a higher best state to live in — Maryland or Virginia?

Virginia scores higher as a state to live in Maryland.

Sources: Core demographic data comes from the 2020 U.S. Census, with land area from U.S. Census Bureau TIGER files. Income, housing, affordability, and tax fields are maintained in our comparison dataset; purchasing-power figures use BEA Regional Price Parities. Minimum wage data comes from the U.S. Department of Labor, gas prices from AAA, and electricity rates from the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Political control and election fields use 2024 presidential results together with National Conference of State Legislatures data. Gun-law labels use the Giffords scorecard, alcohol system data comes from NABCA, and marijuana status uses NCSL's state cannabis laws tracker.