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Bounded on the north by Pennsylvania, on the west by West Virginia, on the east by Delaware, and on the south by Virginia, the state of Maryland is interrupted by the nation's capital of Washington DC, which sits on land originally part of Maryland.

Though Maryland ranks only 42nd in size, the state boasts 5.5 million residents making it 19th in size in population. Today, you'll find most Marylanders situated between Baltimore (the state's biggest city), and the nation's capital, Washington DC.

While tourism to neighboring Washington DC remains high on the list for job seekers within the state, the US government remains a big employer of residents who often choose to live in suburban bedroom communities closest to the nation's capital including Rockville, Gaithersburg, Silver Spring, and Bethesda.

Still popular with tourists for its coastal beaches and for an abundance of crabs and shellfish found in Chesapeake Bay (which provides for a booming fishing industry) the state also remains a lure for top biotechnology firms. Numbering more than 350, the industry cluster is the third largest in the U.S. offering high-paying jobs and the promise of future growth.

Maryland quality-of-life statistics

Demographics : (Maryland Census Data)
Major cities: Annapolis (capital), Baltimore
Population : 5,615,727
White : 64%
Black, African American : 29.3%
Hispanic : 5.7%
High school graduates : 83.8%
Bachelor's degree or higher : 31.4%
Average household income: $57,019

Cost of Living: Sperling's Best Places - Maryland - Compared to the rest of the country, Maryland's cost of living is 14.54% higher than the U.S. average

Property Taxes : Maryland Tax Climate - Maryland ranks 17th highest nationally, with combined state/local property taxes amounting to $6,018,629,000 in 2004, bringing per capita collections to $1,082.

Housing & Real Estate Overview : also see Zillow - Maryland Real Estate
Home ownership rate : 67.7%
Average home price: $306,695
Average travel time to work : 31.2 minutes

Personal Income Taxes: Maryland's imposes personal income taxes in a four bracket system with rates ranging from 2 percent to 4.75 percent depending on income and filing status.  Maryland residents must file state taxes using Form 502 each year by April 15.

Schools : see Maryland State Department of Education

Weather : Generally, Maryland's weather changes moving inland from the Atlantic, with the eastern part of the state experiencing hot and humid summers and fairly mild winters, while in Western Maryland summers are generally milder and winters colder.

Crime : see Maryland Crime Statistics

also see -> Maryland eviction laws | Maryland taxes | Maryland outlets

Maryland tourism | Maryland fall foliage | Maryland wineries

Christmas in Maryland | Maryland kids party locations

More about relocating to Maryland around the Web:

Moving to Maryland? - An extensive list of resources for moving to Baltimore, as well as Maryland county relocation guides with information on taxes, transportation, public schools, state maps.

Moving to Maryland - Relocation portal from the official state site including links to information on real estate & home buying, schools & education, health care & hospitals, social services, shopping & entertainment.

Making the Move to Baltimore - Johns Hopkins employment guide to the benefits of relocation, including tips on choosing a neighborhood, apartment rentals, home buying, schools & houses of worship, transportation services.

MONEY Magazine Best Places to Live 2006 - Columbia / Ellicott City - Ranked No. 4 nationwide, with information on quality of life & cost of living, taxes, education, home buying and real estate, demographic data, weather facts.

Annapolis for New Residents - The official city guide with information on local government services & utilities, transportation services, public schools, voter registration.

Maryland Real Estate, Apartments & Job Classifieds:

Baltimore : Baltimore Sun | Baltimore Times
Annapolis : Capital Gazette