Howard County Property Taxes

Howard County, Maryland

Effective Tax Rate

0.00%

104.7% above state avg

Median Annual Tax

$0

$568/mo escrow

#23 of 24 counties in Maryland

Estimate Your Tax

$
$50K$2M

Annual Tax

$0

Monthly

$0

Eff. Rate

1.18%

vs. Maryland Avg104.7% above
vs. National Avg153.3% above

At a Glance

Median Home Value

$576,700

State avg $350,738

Tax w/ Mortgage/yr

$6,821

$568/mo escrow

Tax w/o Mortgage/yr

$6,795

$566/mo

State Tax Rate Rank

#23

of 24 counties (1 = lowest)

Data Story

About Property Taxes in Howard County, Maryland

Howard County ranks among highest tax counties

At 1.182%, Howard County's effective property tax rate ranks in the top 5% nationally, well above the U.S. median of 0.84%. The median property tax bill of $6,814 is 154% higher than the national median of $2,690, reflecting both elevated tax rates and the state's highest median property values at $576,700.

Highest effective rate in Maryland

Howard County's 1.182% rate is the highest among Maryland's 24 counties, towering 23% above the state average of 0.957%. Its median tax bill of $6,814 is 105% above the state median of $3,328, making it Maryland's most expensive county for property taxes.

Substantially higher than surrounding counties

Howard County's 1.182% rate far exceeds Montgomery County's 0.868% and Baltimore County's rates, reflecting the county's affluence and high property valuations. The $6,814 median tax bill is roughly $2,600 more than comparable Frederick County properties.

Expected annual tax on median home

A home valued at Howard County's median of $576,700 will generate approximately $6,814 in annual property taxes at the 1.182% effective rate. With a mortgage, that bill is $6,821; without one, it drops to $6,795.

You may be paying too much

High-value Howard County properties are frequently overassessed relative to market conditions and recent comparable sales. Homeowners should request a detailed assessment review and file an appeal if their valuation appears inflated—the potential savings are substantial.

How Howard County Compares

Median Annual Property Tax

Howard County$6,814
Maryland State Average$3,328
National Average$1,924

Howard County

1.18%

Effective rate

Maryland Avg

0.95%

Effective rate

National Avg

0.91%

Effective rate

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the property tax rate in Howard County, Maryland?
The effective property tax rate in Howard County, Maryland is 1.18%. This rate is calculated by dividing the median property tax payment by the median home value in the county.
How much are property taxes in Howard County?
The median annual property tax payment in Howard County is $6,814. Homeowners with a mortgage pay a median of $6,821, while those without a mortgage pay $6,795.
How does Howard County compare to the Maryland average?
Howard County's effective tax rate of 1.18% is higher than the Maryland state average of 0.95%. The median annual property tax in Howard County is $6,814, compared to the state average of $3,328.
What is the median home value in Howard County, Maryland?
The median home value in Howard County, Maryland is $576,700, according to U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates.
Why is Howard County property tax rate higher than the Maryland average?
Howard County's effective property tax rate of 1.18% is higher than the Maryland average of 0.95%. This difference of 0.23% can be attributed to local funding needs for schools, infrastructure, and municipal services. Higher rates often correlate with more urbanized areas or counties with greater public service demands.
How does Howard County rank for property taxes in Maryland?
Howard County ranks #23 out of 24 counties in Maryland by effective property tax rate (1 = lowest). With a rate of 1.18% and median annual tax of $6,814, it falls in the upper third of counties statewide.

Counties with Similar Tax Rates

Nearby Counties

Other Counties in Maryland

Data updated: March 2026

Data from U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates. Effective tax rate is calculated as median property tax divided by median home value.