Have you ever wondered which U.S. states resemble countries more closely than others? The Country – US State Comparisons are designed to quantify just that — measuring how similar each U.S. state is to different countries around the world relative to the United States. This index provides a data-driven way to make those comparisons. It equally weights five major factors: demographics, culture, politics, technology, and geography. Over 1,000 different data points are used to generate the results.
Top 10 Countries More Similar to Maryland than the US
The five nations that resemble Maryland far more than the United States overall are located in Western Europe. These countries tend to be densely populated and their infrastructure is highly developed. Furthermore, their governments tend to have liberal laws.
- United Kingdom and Maryland are relatively small but densely populated, with a temperate climate, rolling hills, and long coastlines. They have a historical connection as well. The Province of Maryland was founded as a British colony. Another similarity is both have legalized same sex marriage and banned capital punishment.
- Belgium shares Maryland’s compact geography and high population density. They have a similar climate as well. Both are known for being multicultural hubs. They have robust finance and technology sectors. Their governments have decriminalized marijuana and banned smoking in public. Nuclear and gas power most of their electricity needs.
- Germany borders Belgium. Maryland and Germany have an even mix of forests and farmlands. A lot of people in Maryland have German ancestry too. Their people tend to be highly educated as well. Their governments tend to protect the rights of workers and they enjoy high minimum wages.
- Denmark’s social liberalism, environmental policies echo Maryland’s political climate and culture. Both regions are compact with strong infrastructure and high urbanization. Denmark’s coastal geography also mirrors Maryland’s Chesapeake Bay. Furthermore, their people tend to be quite wealthy on average.
- Netherlands resembles Maryland through its dense urbanization and heavy use of waterways. Politically, both are liberal and forward-thinking on issues like LGBTQ+ rights and climate change. Both have many doctors per capita. They also are mostly Protestant, but have many Catholics as well.
- Bahamas, 7.Czech Republic, 8. France, 9. Mozambique, 10. Bosnia
Top 10 Countries Less Similar to Maryland than the US
The five countries that are less similar to Maryland than to the United States overall tend to be predominately Muslim countries in the Middle East. In addition, these nations are significantly less developed and their people are not as wealthy on average.
- Iraq has been plagued by decades of conflict and political turmoil. Its economy is heavily dependent on oil, while Maryland’s is diverse and service-oriented. Iraq’s hot desert climate and arid landscapes differ drastically from Maryland’s as well.
- Yemen and Maryland are profoundly different across all major factors, especially economic development and politics. While Maryland has some of the strictest gun laws in the United States, gun laws are rarely enforced in Yemen.
- Syria borders Iraq. It is another Arab country with a hot, dry climate on this list. The economy and infrastructure of Syria has been devastated, due to civil war. Syrian society is shaped by Arabic and Islamic traditions in contrast to Maryland.
- Egypt is a much larger country than Maryland with a warm, arid climate and a vastly different culture. Its economy is more heavily reliant on agriculture, tourism, and the Suez Canal, and it has a less wealthy population.
- Afghanistan is landlocked and extremely mountainous in contrast to Maryland. It population is largely rural and the country has much lower level of economic development. Its laws are much more conservative than Maryland’s.
- Iran, 7. China, 8. Jordan, 9. Saudi Arabia, 10. Russia
Full Ranking of Countries and Territories More Similar to Maryland than the US
All data accurate as of 2025.