Property Taxes in Maryland
Maryland's property tax runs genuinely close to the national average at the statewide level (0.95%-1.04% depending on source) -- a real contrast to several higher-tax states this project has built -- but with substantial local variance: Baltimore City runs markedly higher on a rate basis, while Montgomery and Howard Counties run lower rates offset by much higher assessed home values.
Exploring the idea of moving?
We can connect you with a local real estate professional who knows the area -- no pressure, just a starting point.
Learn moreMaryland's statewide average rate, precisely, and its real cross-source spread
This pass's 2026 sources cite a range of roughly 0.95% (taxbycounty.com-type sources) to 1.04% (this project's own Maryland research context) for Maryland's statewide average effective property tax rate on owner-occupied housing -- genuinely close to the national average, and this record discloses that range honestly rather than picking one figure with false precision.
Baltimore City runs markedly higher on a rate basis
Baltimore City's FY2026 nominal rate is $2.248 per $100 assessed value -- among the highest nominal rates in the state, with an effective rate cited as high as 1.476% in some 2026 sources, more than double Montgomery County's. This is a real, disclosed cost factor for anyone weighing a Baltimore City purchase against a suburban alternative.
Montgomery and Howard Counties run lower rates but high real dollar bills
Montgomery County's effective rate is cited around 0.89%, and Howard County runs comparably low -- but both counties' substantially higher assessed home values produce high real median dollar tax bills (Montgomery: approximately $5,861; Howard: approximately $6,814) despite the lower percentage rate. A prospective buyer should look at both the rate AND the real dollar bill, since they tell genuinely different stories.
What this means for a buyer or renter
Confirm your specific target county's current property tax rate AND the realistic dollar amount on a home at your target price point directly with the county's finance office before finalizing a budget -- Maryland's real local variance is substantial enough that the statewide average alone is not a reliable substitute for county-specific research.
Key takeaways
- Maryland's statewide average effective property tax rate runs 0.95%-1.04% depending on source -- genuinely close to the national average.
- Baltimore City's FY2026 nominal rate ($2.248 per $100 assessed value) runs markedly higher than Montgomery or Howard County's on a percentage basis.
- Montgomery (~0.89% effective) and Howard Counties run lower rates but produce high real dollar bills (~$5,861 and ~$6,814 median) due to higher home values.
- Confirm your specific target county's current rate AND realistic dollar bill directly -- Maryland's local variance is too substantial for the statewide average alone.
Want to know what your budget actually buys here?
Tell us a bit about what you're looking for and we'll connect you with someone local who can walk you through real numbers.
Get local guidanceRead the full Maryland overview for the complete picture, or explore individual cities and towns we've researched.
Planning a move?
Tell us what you're looking for and we'll connect you with a local expert who can help you make it happen.
Talk to a local expert