As ongoing U.S. tariffs increase consumer prices and the nation enters the second month of a federal government shutdown, two-thirds of Marylanders had an unfavorable view of the state’s economic conditions over the past year – and more than half expect conditions to worsen next year.
That’s according to a new poll released Tuesday from the UMBC Institute of Politics.
The poll found that 69% of Marylanders rated the state’s economic conditions over the past year as “poor” or “fair.” Meanwhile, 30% said conditions have been “good” or “excellent.”
That view is down slightly from earlier this year and one year ago, though still within the poll’s margin of error.
In February 2025, 31% said conditions over the past year were “excellent” or “good,” and 67% described them as “poor” or “fair.” Before that, 32% rated economic conditions as “excellent” or “good,” and 66% said they were “poor” or “fair.”
The majority of Marylanders (55%) think economic conditions will be worse next year. However, 31% said they will be “about the same,” while 11% think they will be “better.”
The price of food and consumer goods was a major concern for the most Marylanders. The poll found 92% of respondents were “very” or “somewhat” concerned about these prices.
Marylanders were also “very” or “somewhat” concerned about other key economic issues, including the cost of health care and health insurance (89%), the cost of household electricity (88%), people being unable to find good-paying jobs (86%), the cost and availability of housing (79%), the price of gasoline (64%), and how the stock market is doing (53%).
Twenty-eight percent of Marylanders said taxes and government spending were their biggest concern about the Maryland economy.
Other respondents listed these as their top concerns for the state’s economy: federal government shutdown and national policy (19%), cost of living and inflation (13%), jobs and wages (7%), housing costs and development (3%), business climate and economic growth (2%).
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore’s approval rating among registered voters (52%) has held steady since UMBC’s poll in February 2025, though his disapproval rating has climbed slightly from 40% in February to 44% now.
One year ago, in October 2024, 54% of registered voters approved of Moore’s job as governor, while 32% disapproved.
Maryland is on the wrong track according to 48% of Maryland adults, while 40% said the state is heading in the right direction.
That’s compared to 49% who said the state was on the wrong track and 42% in the right direction in February 2025, and 39% on the wrong track and 46% in the right direction in October 2024.
The poll, which was conducted about one month into the federal government shutdown, found that 63 percent of Marylanders thought the shutdown has had or will have a major impact on the state economy. Meanwhile, 25 percent said it would have a minor impact, and 7 percent foresaw no impact.
When it came to their own household’s finances, 30% said the shutdown has had or will have a major impact on their personal financial situation, 37% expected a minor impact, and 29% said it would have no impact.
About one-third of registered voters (32%) approve of Trump’s job performance as president, while approximately two-thirds (67%) disapprove.
Three in five Marylanders (61%) believe Republicans in Congress are either “very” or “completely” responsible for the shutdown.
More than half blamed President Donald Trump, with 59% saying the president is either “very” or “completely” responsible.
Meanwhile, 41% said Democrats in Congress are either “very” or “completely” responsible for the shutdown.
Asked how leaders should approach governing, 48% believe lawmakers who share their views should “stand by their principles even if it results in gridlock.” Another 40% said lawmakers should “compromise even if it means reaching a deal they disagree with.”
Pollsters with the UMBC Institute of Politics conducted a survey of a random sample stratified by county of 810 Maryland adults, including 757 registered voters. Live interviewers conducted the poll by phone between 1 p.m. and 8 p.m. from Oct. 21 to Oct. 25.
Interviewers attempted to reach respondents with working phone numbers a maximum of five times. Braun Research provided the sample of telephone numbers and the data collection.
There is a 95 percent probability that the survey results have a margin of error or plus or minus 3.4% for the sample of 810 Maryland adults, and plus or minus 3.5% for the sample of 757 Maryland registered voters.
