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Yes, Maryland can be a good place to retire. Many people look at the state for its health care, location, and variety of places to live. Some are drawn to bay views and small towns. Others want access to cities and services. The truth is the Old Line State offers real benefits, along with higher costs and tax rules that matter.
This guide helps you weigh what daily life is really like so you can decide if Maryland fits your plans.
What You’ll Learn
The pros and cons of retiring in Maryland
The notable factors retirees consider before settling in the Old Line State
The frequently asked questions retirees ask about retirement in Maryland
Summary
Advantages of Choosing Maryland for Retirement
Healthcare Quality
Retiring in Maryland means experiencing top-rated health care. Johns Hopkins Hospital is ranked as a top hospital by U.S. News & World Report in the nation and ranked first in Maryland and Baltimore for quality care.
Other places to visit in Maryland for senior-focused care include:
Silver Spring: Contains Holy Cross Health, which introduced the country’s first Seniors Emergency Center, aimed at reducing patient anxiety while offering top-rated care.
Millersville: Contains the Levindale Hebrew Geriatric Center & Hospital, which delivers services such as subacute care and dementia support.
Location/Accessibility
Choosing the Old Line State to settle in for retirement means being near notable cities. Washington D.C., for example, offers museums and shows. Philadelphia, meanwhile, provides opportunities to learn about the country’s history.
This does not mean Maryland offers nothing. There are numerous things to do in Baltimore, such as:
Visit the Walters Art Museum: Exhibits feature objects that are hundreds or thousands of years old. Many of these include Greek and Roman sculpture, as well as Asian art. The museum is fully accessible for adults who use walkers or wheelchairs.
Experience the Baltimore Flower Mart: The event was founded in 1911 and held at Mount Vernon Place. It is Baltimore’s oldest free public festival.
Tax Benefits
Maryland does not require you to pay state tax on your Social Security benefits. The state also lets residents age 65 and older subtract a portion of their pension or similar income from taxable income.
These policies mean that:
You have extra funds left over: The money can be used for a variety of costs, from healthcare to travel.
You can rely more on your fixed income: This helps you with retirement planning.
Property Tax
Property taxes vary by county but can still be manageable for retirees. Some areas keep rates lower than others, and programs can help you keep your home affordable. Maryland also offers the Homestead Property Tax Credit, which limits how much your taxable home value can rise each year.
Some Maryland counties that have low average effective property tax rates include:
Wicomico County: Has an average effective property tax rate of 0.76 percent.
Cecil County: Has an average effective property tax rate of 0.76 percent.
Environment
Maryland gives you easy access to the Chesapeake Bay and its broad mix of natural features. The bay is the largest estuary in the United States, with rivers, marshes, and wide open waters that support fish, birds, and plant life. You can relax by the water, walk scenic trails, or watch wildlife in peaceful settings near small coastal towns.
You can also visit lakeside beaches in Maryland in state parks, like:
Greenbrier State Park: This park has a sandy beach for swimming, easy water access for canoeing or boating, and places to rest by the shore.
Deep Creek Lake State Park: Offers two sandy beach areas for summer swimming, calm water for paddle sports, and fishing along the shoreline.
Disadvantages of Choosing Maryland for Retirement
Cost of Living
The cost of living in Maryland is one of the highest in the country. Residents in the Old Line State pay more for certain cost factors. Chief among these is rent. By one estimate, renting in Maryland costs 30 percent more than in the rest of the country.
Other cost factors, such as housing, electricity, and healthcare, are more expensive in the state. Nevertheless, groceries are slightly cheaper, at around 1 percent less than the rest of the country.
The table below shows how retiring in Maryland costs compared to the national average:
Dealing with this may involve:
Choosing more affordable areas for housing: Prices vary widely across the state. Some small towns or rural areas cost less for rent and homes than big cities or suburbs near D.C. and Baltimore.
Downsizing your home size: Moving to a smaller house or apartment can cut your monthly housing costs of mortgage, utilities, and upkeep.
Tax Disadvantages
The Old Line State is unique in having both an estate tax and an inheritance tax. By contrast, nearby states differ. Virginia has neither tax. Delaware lacks inheritance tax. Pennsylvania skips estate tax.
To handle this, you can:
Consider a tailored estate plan: This helps reduce your tax bill.
Talk with a trusted advisor: They can help you understand when these taxes apply and what exemptions your family may have.
Retirement Income Tax
There is state tax on most retirement income, such as withdrawals from 401(k)s, IRAs, and other tax-deferred accounts. Many pension payments are taxable too unless you qualify for a pension income exclusion once you are age 65 or older.
Managing this may involve:
Plan the timing of withdrawals and income sources: This can help use exclusions.
Talk with a tax professional: They can help you understand state tax policies.
Notable Considerations
Climate
Maryland has four different seasons each year. Summers can be hot and sticky with high humidity that may feel uncomfortable if you prefer warm weather all year. Winters bring cold days and some snow. Spring and fall offer mild weather with changing colors and cooler breezes.
Retirement Options
The state offers many housing choices for older adults. You can live in one of the independent living communities that offer social activities and services for seniors, or you can live anywhere else in the state among the general population. This gives you flexibility in how and where you want to live as your needs change.
Final Thoughts: Retiring in Maryland
Maryland gives you paths in retirement through health care access, varied housing, and natural settings from bays to lakes. You can enjoy arts, parks, and nearby cities, yet plan around higher costs and tax rules.
By weighing benefits and tradeoffs, you can decide if the Old Line State fits your pace and budget.
Move Your Car to the Old Line State with AmeriFreight
Having your own car makes exploring Maryland easier. Driving lets you reach beaches, state parks, small towns, health centers, and scenic spots that sit far apart. For retirees moving or staying long-term, keeping your vehicle close brings comfort, choice, and ease as you settle near bay towns or quiet inland communities.
If you are moving to Maryland, shipping your vehicle with AmeriFreight Auto Transport can help you arrive ready to go. With more than 20 years of experience moving cars to and from the Old Line State, our agents work with licensed carriers across the country.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Which Maryland hospitals are ranked best for geriatric care and cardiac health?
Top hospitals in Maryland known for excellent cardiac care and geriatric services include The Johns Hopkins Hospital and University of Maryland Medical Center for overall quality and cardiac care, plus University of Maryland St. Joseph Medical Center for heart programs.
MedStar Good Samaritan is noted for geriatrics quality by U.S. News & World Report.
What are the most affordable small towns for retirees in Maryland with low crime rates?
Some affordable, low-crime small towns retirees might like in Maryland include Frostburg with lower housing costs and a small-town feel, Oakland near Deep Creek Lake offering quiet living, and Elkton with reasonable living costs and friendly community life.
Boonsboro also has low crime and outdoor access for active days.
Is it cheaper to retire in Western Maryland or the Eastern Shore?
In general, Western Maryland tends to be cheaper than the Eastern Shore because counties like Allegany and Garrett in the west have lower housing and living costs than many Eastern Shore areas near the bay.
How do Maryland property tax rates compare to neighboring Delaware and Pennsylvania for retirees?
Maryland’s average property tax rate sits near the national average. This is higher than Delaware’s lower rates but generally lower than Pennsylvania’s higher effective property tax levels for many homes. Virginia also tends to have lower property taxes than Maryland.
Disclaimer
The information provided in this guide is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or professional advice. While efforts have been made to ensure the accuracy and timeliness of the content, laws, regulations, and local conditions are subject to change without notice.
Readers should not act upon this information without seeking appropriate professional counsel, especially in financial and legal matters.
