Want to live and work in Maryland?

The cost of living varies widely across the state. In Bethesda, Rockville, and Silver Spring, a one-bedroom apartment runs between $2,000 and $2,800. Buying a home in a good neighborhood easily exceeds $800,000. In Annapolis, costs are similar. In Baltimore, rent drops to $1,300 to $1,800 in decent neighborhoods.

Groceries, utilities, and taxes are above the national average. Tolls on bridges and tunnels (especially between Baltimore and Washington) add up. Gas is cheaper than in New York or California, but more expensive than in southern states.

Salaries make up for the cost. Professionals in healthcare, science, the federal government, technology, and defense earn well. Households with a combined income above $150,000 per year live comfortably in Bethesda or Rockville. In Baltimore, $80,000 provides a good standard of living. Those arriving without a job need savings, especially for the rental deposit and insurance.

The federal government is the largest employer. The NIH (National Institutes of Health) in Bethesda is the world's largest center for biomedical research. The FDA is in Silver Spring. NASA Goddard in Greenbelt conducts space research. Fort Meade is home to the NSA (National Security Agency), generating thousands of jobs in cybersecurity and intelligence.

Johns Hopkins in Baltimore is one of the world's largest universities and hospitals, with thousands of jobs in medicine, research, and administration. Lockheed Martin (defense), Northrop Grumman (defense), and MedImmune/AstraZeneca (pharma) are also major employers. Biotechnology clusters along the I-270 Corridor (between Bethesda and Frederick).

Salaries in healthcare, science, defense, and technology are among the highest in the US. For professionals with foreign degrees in medicine, research, or engineering, Maryland is one of the best states to find employment. The Brazilian community in healthcare and research is considerable in Bethesda and Baltimore.

Maryland has some of the best hospitals in the US and the world. Johns Hopkins in Baltimore is frequently ranked among the top in the world across multiple specialties. The NIH Clinical Center in Bethesda conducts cutting-edge clinical research. The University of Maryland Medical Center and MedStar are also reference institutions.

As in the US generally, there is no universal public system. Those with formal employment receive insurance from their employer. Family premiums can exceed $1,500, with the company paying part. Without employment, there are plans through the state marketplace (Maryland Health Connection) with income-based subsidies.

Maryland expanded Medicaid after the ACA. Low-income families have improved access. Documented immigrants with a green card held for more than 5 years may qualify. Because of the concentration of top hospitals, healthcare quality in the state is among the best in the US, with easy specialist access for those with insurance.

The Washington DC Metro (WMATA) has several stations in Maryland: the Red Line goes to Shady Grove (Rockville), the Green Line to Greenbelt, the Orange Line to New Carrollton. Those living near a station can commute to DC without a car. The MARC train system connects Baltimore and DC, and Frederick to DC.

Baltimore has a Light Rail and a Metro SubwayLink, but the network is limited. Urban buses cover the city. For getting between suburbs and cities, a car is essential. The main highways are I-95 (crossing the state), I-495 (DC Beltway), and I-695 (Baltimore Beltway).

The main airport is Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall (BWI), with direct flights to many US cities and some international destinations (Europe, Caribbean). It is a Southwest Airlines hub. For larger international flights, many people use Dulles (IAD) or Reagan National (DCA) in Virginia, close to DC.

The blue crab from the Chesapeake Bay is the state's symbol. Eating crab covered in Old Bay seasoning, with a wooden mallet, over newspaper spread on the table is a local tradition. Old Bay is Maryland's signature spice, used on almost everything.

Baltimore has a strong cultural scene: Edgar Allan Poe is buried there, John Waters and the band Animal Collective are from the city, and the Baltimore Orioles (baseball) and Ravens (American football) are local passions. The revitalized Inner Harbor has museums, an aquarium, and restaurants. Annapolis, the capital, is home to the Naval Academy and attracts sailors.

The DC suburbs (Bethesda, Rockville, Silver Spring) have a more cosmopolitan and academic culture, with DC museums just minutes away by car or Metro. Diversity generates many ethnic festivals, world cuisine restaurants, and varied religious communities. Summer crab feasts, autumn American football.

Maryland has around 950,000 residents born outside the country, close to 15% of the population, with strong concentration in the counties near Washington D.C. Salvadorans form the largest group, with strong presence in Prince George's and Montgomery, especially in Langley Park, Wheaton, and Hyattsville, and dominate construction and service sectors. Ethiopians formed one of the largest Ethiopian communities in the country in Silver Spring and Takoma Park, with injera restaurants and Tewahedo Orthodox churches clustered along Georgia Avenue. Indians concentrate in Howard County and Montgomery, tied to Johns Hopkins, the NIH, and the biotech corridor. Chinese, Nigerians, and Koreans round out the picture, with Rockville and Gaithersburg as Chinese hubs and Baltimore home to West African communities.

The consulate-general of India in Washington D.C. serves Maryland residents, as do virtually all embassies in D.C. Baltimore has honorary consulates from several countries, including South Korea and Poland. CASA, headquartered in Hyattsville, is one of the largest immigrant advocacy organizations on the East Coast, with legal services, English classes, and community organizing. Ayuda, originally from D.C., also serves Maryland. Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Baltimore provides immigration assistance. The International Rescue Committee has an office in Baltimore for refugee resettlement, and the Ethiopian Community Development Council operates in Silver Spring.