Property Tax in Maryland by County
According to the US Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates, 2023, the median real estate tax bill in Maryland is $3,989 a year, on a median home value of $397,700. Figures for every Maryland county with published data — 24 in total — are in the table below. That state median is about 34% higher than the US median of $2,969.
At the top of the Maryland table sits Howard County, MD (median $6,814); at the bottom, Somerset County, MD (median $1,603). One state, one tax system on paper — but the bills are set locally, county by county and district by district.
How do the counties compare with the nation? 14 of the 24 counties listed here sit above the US median bill of $2,969. Take the county medians themselves and the middle one is $3,392; the full range runs from $1,603 (Somerset County) up to $6,814 (Howard County).
For orientation: the county with the most residents is Montgomery County (1,057,586 people), and the county covering the most land is Frederick County (661 square miles). Their own tax and value medians are in the table below.
The state's population centres are Montgomery County (1,057,586 residents; median tax $5,341 on a median value of $615,200), Prince George's County (955,584; $4,662 on $404,300) and Baltimore County (849,586; $3,645 on $330,000).
Maryland counties: median property tax
| County | Median tax paid | Median home value | Derived rate* | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Howard County, MD | $6,814 | $576,700 | 1.18% | 333,916 |
| Montgomery County, MD | $5,341 | $615,200 | 0.87% | 1,057,586 |
| Prince George's County, MD | $4,662 | $404,300 | 1.15% | 955,584 |
| Frederick County, MD | $4,463 | $437,700 | 1.02% | 280,341 |
| Charles County, MD | $4,179 | $402,300 | 1.04% | 168,710 |
| Calvert County, MD | $3,858 | $440,200 | 0.88% | 93,791 |
| Carroll County, MD | $3,837 | $406,400 | 0.94% | 174,318 |
| Anne Arundel County, MD | $3,836 | $450,300 | 0.85% | 590,936 |
| Baltimore County, MD | $3,645 | $330,000 | 1.10% | 849,586 |
| Queen Anne's County, MD | $3,503 | $441,800 | 0.79% | 50,951 |
| Harford County, MD | $3,424 | $367,300 | 0.93% | 262,509 |
| St. Mary's County, MD | $3,392 | $390,900 | 0.87% | 114,372 |
| Baltimore city, MD | $3,236 | $219,300 | 1.48% | 577,193 |
| Cecil County, MD | $3,059 | $311,800 | 0.98% | 104,366 |
| Kent County, MD | $2,896 | $307,100 | 0.94% | 19,265 |
| Worcester County, MD | $2,629 | $348,100 | 0.76% | 53,279 |
| Talbot County, MD | $2,623 | $398,300 | 0.66% | 37,707 |
| Caroline County, MD | $2,513 | $272,400 | 0.92% | 33,406 |
| Washington County, MD | $2,444 | $275,900 | 0.89% | 155,033 |
| Dorchester County, MD | $2,399 | $252,300 | 0.95% | 32,612 |
| Wicomico County, MD | $2,120 | $238,900 | 0.89% | 104,117 |
| Garrett County, MD | $1,792 | $217,000 | 0.83% | 28,713 |
| Allegany County, MD | $1,609 | $149,200 | 1.08% | 67,762 |
| Somerset County, MD | $1,603 | $164,300 | 0.98% | 24,685 |
*Derived rate = median taxes paid ÷ median home value — an estimate from two survey medians, not an official rate. Counties in bold detail pages are linked; all figures: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates, 2023.
How assessment and appeals work in Maryland
The mechanics in Maryland follow the standard American pattern. A local assessor — generally a county office — estimates market value. Taxable value is what remains after exemptions. Each overlapping district (county, municipality, schools, and any special districts) applies its own rate, and the sum of those rates produces the bill the county collects.
Owners who think a property has been overvalued can appeal, first informally with the assessor and then formally to the review body named on the assessment notice. The strongest appeals rest on evidence: mistakes on the property record card, or sale prices of comparable homes that came in below the assessed value. Because filing windows are brief, check the deadline on your notice as soon as it arrives.
Statewide medians hide wide local variation, and Maryland is no exception: bills depend on where in the state a home sits and which districts tax it. Use this page to place a county in context, then verify the specifics for any single property with the county assessor.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median property tax in Maryland?
The median real estate tax paid in Maryland is $3,989 per year, on a median home value of $397,700 (US Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates, 2023).
Which Maryland county has the highest property taxes?
Among counties with published Census data, Howard County has the highest median real estate taxes paid at $6,814 per year.
Which Maryland county has the lowest property taxes?
Among counties with published Census data, Somerset County has the lowest median real estate taxes paid at $1,603 per year.
How do I appeal a property tax assessment in Maryland?
Assessments in Maryland are handled locally, usually by the county assessor or an equivalent local office. If you believe your assessed value is too high, request your property record card, check it for errors, and file an appeal with the local board named on your assessment notice before the deadline printed on that notice — appeal windows are short, often 30 to 90 days.