RealCostIQ

Property Tax Guide

Property Tax in Maryland (2026): Rates, Exemptions, and Real Numbers

Maryland's effective property tax rate is 0.97% — #22 nationally. On the state median of $434,230, that's $4,212/year or $351/month. Rates vary sharply by county: from 0.73% in Frederick County to 2.25% in Baltimore City.

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Maryland Property Tax Rates by County

Highest and lowest effective rates within Maryland

Highest rate

2.25%

Baltimore City

$9,770/yr on median-priced home

Lowest rate

0.73%

Frederick County

$3,170/yr on median-priced home

County rate spread

Frederick County
Baltimore City
0.73%0.97% statewide avg2.25%

Property Tax Calculator — Maryland

Pre-loaded with Maryland's 0.97% effective rate and $434,230 median price

Property Tax Estimator

Maryland rate pre-loaded

$
0.10%3.50%

Monthly Escrow

$351/mo

added to your mortgage payment

Annual property tax$4,212
10-year total$42,120
30-year total$126,361

Estimate based on effective rate. Actual bills vary by county and assessment.

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Property Tax by City in Maryland

Annual and monthly property tax by city, based on local median prices and the statewide effective rate

Estimated property tax — Maryland cities

CityMedian PriceAnnual TaxMonthly% of P&I
Bethesda$1,080,000$10,476$873/mo16%
Annapolis$615,000$5,966$497/mo16%
Columbia$490,000$4,753$396/mo16%
Baltimore$205,000$1,989$166/mo16%
Frederick$450,000$4,365$364/mo16%
Source: Tax Foundation Property Taxes by State 2024 — estimated at 0.97% effective rate

Maryland Homestead Exemption

Maryland offers a homestead exemption

Homestead Tax Credit: caps the annual increase in taxable assessment for owner-occupied primary residences. State cap is 10%; most counties set lower caps (many at 0%–4%). On sale, assessment resets. Homeowners' Property Tax Credit available for eligible low-to-moderate income households.

Apply after purchase through your county assessor. Deadlines vary — check the link below.

Apply for Maryland homestead exemption →

How Maryland Assesses Property Values

Assessment cycle: Triennial reassessment — each property is reassessed once every 3 years on a rolling basis (one-third of properties reassessed annually). Homestead cap limits taxable value increases between reassessments.

Assessment cycle

Maryland reassesses property on a triennial reassessment — each property is reassessed once every 3 years on a rolling basis (one-third of properties reassessed annually). homestead cap limits taxable value increases between reassessments. schedule. Your assessed value changes on this cycle, so your tax bill can increase even if you haven't made improvements.

Assessed value vs. market value

Some states assess at a fraction of market value. Maryland's effective rate of 0.97% is calculated on market value. If you paid $434,230, your starting assessed value is approximately that amount.

How to appeal

If your assessment is higher than comparable sales in your area, you can appeal. File with your county Board of Assessment Appeals within the deadline on your notice (typically 30-90 days). Bring 3-5 recent comparable sales ("comps") pulled from Zillow or your county recorder. The process is free.

What drives reassessment

Triggers include your purchase price being recorded at county, permitted renovation work, and periodic mass appraisals. New construction is always assessed on completion.

Property Tax's Impact on Your True Monthly Cost

On a $434,230 home in Maryland

ComponentMonthly
Principal & Interest$2,170
Property Tax (0.97%)$350
Homeowners Insurance$122
Maintenance Reserve$543
Utilities$243
True monthly total$3,428

Property tax represents 10% of the true monthly cost in Maryland.

Mortgage Calculator Including Property Tax — Maryland

See your full PITI (principal, interest, taxes, insurance) payment

Mortgage Estimator

Maryland rates pre-loaded

$
3%50%
%

Monthly Payment (P&I)

$2,173

principal & interest only

Loan amount$347,384
Est. property tax$362/mo
Est. total with tax$2,535/mo
Total interest (30 yr)$434,863

Estimate only — excludes insurance, PMI, HOA.

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How Maryland's Property Tax Affects Affordability

$351/month in property tax reduces the home price you can afford. Use the affordability calculator to see the real impact.

Mortgage Affordability Calculator

See what home price you can actually afford after factoring in Maryland's $351/month property tax burden.

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Property Tax After Refinancing in Maryland

Refinancing changes your P&I but not your property tax. If your home was reassessed at a higher value, your tax bill increases regardless of your rate.

Mortgage Refinance Calculator

See if refinancing saves money after accounting for Maryland's property taxes — pre-loaded with the $434,230 median home value at 6.4%.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the property tax rate in Maryland?
Maryland's effective property tax rate is 0.97%, ranking #22 nationally. The median annual property tax bill is $4,212 ($351/month). Rates range from 0.73% in Frederick County to 2.25% in Baltimore City. Source: Tax Foundation Property Taxes by State 2024.
Does Maryland have a homestead exemption?
Yes — Maryland offers a homestead exemption for primary residences. Homestead Tax Credit: caps the annual increase in taxable assessment for owner-occupied primary residences. State cap is 10%; most counties set lower caps (many at 0%–4%). On sale, assessment resets. Homeowners' Property Tax Credit available for eligible low-to-moderate income households.. Apply through your county assessor's office after purchasing your home.
How often is property reassessed in Maryland?
Maryland reassesses property on a triennial reassessment — each property is reassessed once every 3 years on a rolling basis (one-third of properties reassessed annually). homestead cap limits taxable value increases between reassessments. basis. When your property is reassessed, your tax bill changes based on the new assessed value multiplied by the applicable rate. If you believe your assessment is too high, you can appeal — most counties allow 30-90 days after receiving your assessment notice.
How is property tax calculated in Maryland?
Property tax = Assessed Value × Mill Rate (or effective rate). In Maryland, the effective rate is 0.97% of market value. On a $434,230 home: $434,230 × 0.97% = $4,212/year. Assessments may use a fraction of market value — the effective rate accounts for this.
Can I appeal my property tax assessment in Maryland?
Yes. If your assessed value is higher than comparable sales in your area, you can file an appeal with your county assessment board. Steps: (1) Get your assessment notice, (2) Research comparable recent sales, (3) File an appeal by the deadline (typically 30-90 days from assessment notice). Studies show 20-40% of appeals result in a reduction. The process is free and you represent yourself — no attorney required.
Are property taxes included in my mortgage payment in Maryland?
Most lenders require an escrow account that collects $351/month ($4,212/year ÷ 12) along with your mortgage payment, then pays the county on your behalf. If your loan-to-value is below 80%, you may be able to opt out of escrow and pay taxes directly. Note: if your assessed value rises, your escrow payment adjusts and your total monthly cost increases.
What Maryland counties have the highest and lowest property taxes?
Maryland's highest effective rate is in Baltimore City at 2.25%. The lowest is Frederick County at 0.73%. That's a 1.52% spread — on a $434,230 home, the difference is $6,600/year.

Related Calculators

Data Sources

  1. 1.Tax Foundation Property Taxes by State 2024
  2. 2.Zillow Home Value Index, April 2026
  3. 3.Freddie Mac PMMS, May 2026
  4. 4.Maryland homestead exemption

Note: These calculations are for educational purposes — always consult a licensed professional before making financial decisions.

Data shown for Maryland is sourced from the references above and updated periodically. All figures are estimates based on statewide medians and averages — actual costs vary by county, property type, lender, and individual circumstances. This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, tax, or legal advice. Consult a licensed professional before making real estate or financial decisions.