Here is a comparison applying the child support guideline of each local jurisdiction to a typical case:  two children, sole custody, $0 health insurance and $0 child care costs and combined monthly income of $10,000, non-custodial parent’s income is $7,500 and custodial parent’s income is $2,500:

District

total support                $25,174/12 = $2,098

custodial % of income                            .75

recommended support order               $1,573

Maryland

total support                                        $1,811

custodial % of income                            .75

recommended support order               $1,358

Virginia

total support –                                      $1,577

custodial % of income                            .75

recommended support order               $1,183

Again, applying the child support guidelines to a case with the same facts except combined monthly income of $15,000, non-custodial parent’s income is $11,250 and custodial parent’s income is $3,750

District of Columbia:

total support                $35,152/12 = $2,929

custodial % of income                            .75

recommended support order               $2,197

Maryland:

total support                                        $2,847

custodial % of income                            .75

recommended support order               $2,135

Virginia

total support –1,597+.051 x $5,000 = $1,832   1/

custodial % of income                            .75

recommended support order               $1,374

As you can see, at higher incomes, child support is much lower in Virginia than in Maryland or the District.

1/  Total support for two children increases $5.10 for each $100 dollars of combined income between $10,000 and $20,000.