Maryland
#44
retiree-friendly rank
- Social Security
- SS exempt from state tax
- Retirement income
- Retirement income taxed
- Death tax
- Estate + inheritance
Maryland ranks more retiree-friendly than New Mexico on Social Security, retirement-income, and estate/inheritance treatment. Compare Social Security, pensions and IRA withdrawals, estate/inheritance taxes, and supporting property and sales rates.
By Sammy S. · Founder · AuthorUpdated for 2026
More retiree-friendly on this model
Maryland ranks #44 vs #45 for New Mexico. Score gap: 0.25 (lower score = more friendly).
#44
retiree-friendly rank
#45
retiree-friendly rank
Rankings emphasize income and death taxes. Property and sales rates matter for cash flow but do not drive the retiree-friendliness score.
| Metric | Maryland | New Mexico |
|---|---|---|
| Retiree-friendly rank | #44 | #45 |
| Social Security | SS exempt from state tax | SS partially taxed |
| Retirement income | Retirement income taxed | Retirement income taxed |
| Estate / inheritance | Estate + inheritance | None |
| Estate exemption | $5M | — |
| Estate top rate | 16% | — |
| Effective property tax | 0.92% | 0.63% |
| Combined sales tax | 6% | 7.68% |
State rules explained
The gap is rarely one rule. Social Security thresholds, pension exclusions, and estate taxes can each flip which state looks better for a given household.
Exempts Social Security but taxes other retirement income; has both estate and inheritance taxes.
Maryland does not tax Social Security benefits at the state level. Federal tax rules still apply.
Social Security exempt. Other retirement income generally taxed.
Estate tax: exemption about $5M, top rate about 16%. Maryland also imposes an inheritance tax on certain non-exempt heirs.
Taxes Social Security only above high AGI thresholds; other retirement income generally taxable.
Full SS exemption below AGI $100,000 single / $150,000 joint; fully taxed above those thresholds.
Other retirement income generally taxed; SS taxed only above AGI thresholds.
A household living mostly on Social Security may prefer different rules than one drawing large IRA RMDs. Compare Maryland and New Mexico against your actual income mix.
Federal estate tax can still apply above about $15M. State estate or inheritance tax is an extra layer in some states.
Maryland property 0.92% vs New Mexico 0.63%; sales 6% vs 7.68%.
Compare any two states
Social Security, pensions/IRA, estate taxes, and supporting property/sales rates.
Use Social Security and RMD tools, then apply each state's rules from this comparison.
Educational comparison only. Confirm current state return instructions and estate planning rules before relocating.