Quality of life comparison
If you lived in California instead of Maryland, you would:
Health
live 2.2 years longer
In Maryland, the average life expectancy is 77 years (76 years for men, 81 years for women) as of 2020. In California, that number is 79 years (78 years for men, 83 years for women) as of 2020.
be 15.0% less likely to be obese
In Maryland, 33.4% of adults are obese as of 2022. In California, that number is 28.4% of people as of 2022.
Economy
make 21.6% more money
Maryland has a GDP per capita of $69,127 as of 2024, while in California, the GDP per capita is $84,028 as of 2024.
be 37.8% more likely to be unemployed
In Maryland, 3.7% of adults are unemployed as of 2025. In California, that number is 5.1% as of 2025.
be 30.0% more likely to live below the poverty line
In Maryland, 9.0% live below the poverty line as of 2023. In California, however, that number is 11.7% as of 2023.
Safety
be 19.7% more likely to be a victim of violent crime
Maryland has a violent crime rate of 420 per 100,000 people as of 2023. In California, that number is 503 per 100,000 as of 2023.
be 12.7% more likely to be a victim of property crime
Maryland has a property crime rate of 2,043 per 100,000 people as of 2023. In California, that number is 2,303 per 100,000 as of 2023.
Housing & Income
pay 74.9% more for a home
The median home value in Maryland is $397,700 as of 2023, compared to $695,400 in California as of 2023.
pay 17.7% more in rent
The median monthly gross rent in Maryland is $1,662 as of 2023, while in California, it is $1,956 as of 2023.
be 17.3% less likely to own your home
In Maryland, 67.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied as of 2023. In California, that number is 55.8% as of 2023.
Lifestyle
commute 2.5 minutes less
The average one-way commute in Maryland takes 31.5 minutes as of 2023. In California, it takes 29.0 minutes as of 2023.
live in an area that is 60.5% less densely populated
Maryland has a population density of 245.6 people per sq km as of 2023. In California, that number is 97.0 people per sq km as of 2023.
be 67.1% more likely to have a foreign-born neighbor
In Maryland, 7.3% of the population was born outside the US as of 2023. In California, that number is 12.2% as of 2023.
be 13.3% more likely to be uninsured
In Maryland, 6.0% of the population is without health insurance as of 2023. In California, that number is 6.8% as of 2023.
live among residents who are 1.7 years older on average
The median age in Maryland is 39.3 years as of 2023. In California, the median age is 37.6 years as of 2023.
be 14.1% less likely to have a bachelor's degree
In Maryland, 29.1% of the population holds a bachelor's degree or higher as of 2023. In California, that number is 25.0% as of 2023.
The statistics above were calculated using the following data sources: OECD Regional Demography, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (PLACES), Bureau of Labor Statistics, US Census Bureau (American Community Survey), Bureau of Economic Analysis, FBI Uniform Crime Reporting.
