BALTIMORE, MD—Maryland ranks among U.S. states most burdened by mortgages in 2025, with its debt-to-salary ratio of 0.73 being among the lowest in the top 10, according to a recent study.
A recent study by Highland Cabinetry revealed the top ten U.S. states most burdened by mortgages in 2025, examining factors including homeownership rates, percentage of mortgage-free homes, median single-family home prices, current 30-year mortgage rates, average mortgage debt, and median salaries. The debt-to-salary ratio was then calculated, and the states were ranked in descending order.
| Metric | Maryland |
| Homeownership rate | 67.70% |
| Mortgage free homes | 28.90% |
| Median single-family home price | $496,500 |
| 30-year mortgage rates | 6.91% |
| Mortgage debt | $59,400 |
| Median salary | $81,293 |
| Debt to salary ratio | 0.73 |
Maryland’s position in the mortgage burden rankings reveals a complex housing market dynamic. While the state benefits from having one of the highest median salaries among ranked states, it simultaneously faces challenges with the highest 30-year mortgage rate. This combination creates a unique situation where residents have strong earning potential but face significant barriers to achieving mortgage-free homeownership, as evidenced by the state’s remarkably low percentage of mortgage-free homes.
The data suggests that Maryland’s housing market presents a paradoxical situation. Despite having a relatively strong debt-to-salary ratio, the state’s exceptionally low percentage of mortgage-free homes indicates a systemic reliance on mortgage financing. This pattern, combined with the state’s high homeownership rate, suggests that while Maryland residents can generally afford their mortgages, they face significant challenges in fully paying off their homes, potentially due to the high entry costs and interest rates in the market.
Photo via Pixabay
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