Maryland features a moderate property tax environment with a statewide effective rate of approximately 0.92%. All real property is assessed at 100% of fair market value by a centralized state agency on a 3-year rolling cycle. Homeowners are protected against market surges by the Homestead Property Tax Credit, which limits annual assessment growth to between 2% and 10% depending on the county (est., Tax Foundation 2026).
Unlike many states where individual counties hire their own independent tax assessors, Maryland uses a unified, centralized system. All property valuations across all 24 jurisdictions are handled directly by the Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT), ensuring standardized appraisal standards statewide.
100% Assessment and Triennial Revaluation
Maryland law mandates that real property be assessed at 100% of fair market value (Full Cash Value). SDAT divides all properties in the state into three geographic groups (Group 1, Group 2, and Group 3), revaluing one group every year on a rolling 3-year cycle.
To prevent massive property tax spikes after a revaluation, the state uses a statutory phase-in rule:
- Assessment Increases: Phased in equally over three years in one-third increments (Year 1: 33.3%, Year 2: 66.7%, Year 3: 100%).
- Assessment Decreases: Recognized immediately in full during Year 1 (no phase-in).
Maryland statewide effective rate. On a $420,000 median home, expect approximately $3,864 per year at the statewide average. (est., Tax Foundation 2026).
| Home Value | Annual Tax (est.) | Monthly Payment | vs. U.S. Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| $250,000 | $2,300 | $192 | +$50 above avg. |
| $420,000 | $3,864 | $322 | +$84 above avg. |
| $600,000 | $5,520 | $460 | +$120 above avg. |
| $800,000 | $7,360 | $613 | +$160 above avg. |
| $1,000,000 | $9,200 | $767 | +$200 above avg. |
Estimates use 0.92% statewide effective rate. U.S. average uses 0.90%. Source: est., Tax Foundation / Census ACS.
The Homestead Tax Credit (Assessment Caps)
Maryland’s premier homeowner protection is the Homestead Property Tax Credit. Designed to protect owner-occupants from rapid gentrification and hot real estate markets, it limits the amount a property’s taxable assessment can increase from one year to the next.
While the state sets a ceiling cap of 10%, individual counties have the authority to establish much stricter local caps. If your assessment grows faster than your county’s cap, you receive a direct tax credit for any taxes above that threshold:
- Anne Arundel County: 2% annual cap (strictest in Maryland)
- Prince George’s County: 3% annual cap
- Baltimore City & Baltimore County: 4% annual cap
- Frederick, Harford, Howard, Carroll Counties: 5% annual cap
- Charles County: 7% annual cap
- Montgomery County: 10% annual cap (matches state ceiling)
Requirement: Homeowners must submit a one-time Homestead Credit application to SDAT verifying the home is their legal principal residence.
State Tax Rate and Component Levies
Your annual property tax bill in Maryland combines three distinct layers:
- State Property Tax Rate: Fixed at $0.1120 per $100 of assessed value (unchanged since 2007).
- County Real Property Tax Rate: Ranges from roughly $0.67 to $1.14 per $100 across major suburban counties (and up to $2.248 in Baltimore City).
- Special District Charges: Additional levies for fire and rescue protection, mass transit, and park planning (such as the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission levy in Montgomery and Prince George’s).
Senior & Veteran Tax Relief Programs
Maryland provides aggressive relief for seniors, disabled homeowners, and military veterans:
- 100% Disabled Veterans Exemption: Veterans with a 100% permanent and total (P&T) service-connected disability from the VA receive a 100% total exemption from all state, county, and municipal real property taxes on their primary residence. Unremarried surviving spouses remain eligible.
- Homeowners’ Property Tax Credit (“Circuit Breaker”): Caps tax bills for low-to-moderate income households based on a sliding income scale (household income must be under $60,000 and net worth under $200,000, excluding the home and retirement accounts).
- Local Senior Tax Credits: Most top counties (such as Montgomery, Howard, Anne Arundel, and Baltimore) offer property tax credits of up to 20% for seniors aged 65 and older who have lived in their homes for 20+ years.
Estimated Tax Rates Across the Top 10 Counties
Property tax burdens vary widely depending on the jurisdiction. Baltimore City levies the highest real property tax rate in Maryland (effective burden ~2.15%) to fund urban services with a narrower tax base. In contrast, suburban powerhouse Montgomery County maintains a low base county rate, while Prince George’s and Howard counties incorporate special levies for regional transit and emergency services.
| County | Effective Rate | Annual Tax on $420k Home | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Montgomery County | 0.94% | $3,948 | Largest population; includes Bethesda/Silver Spring. |
| Prince George’s County | 1.25% | $5,250 | Includes Bowie/College Park; 3% Homestead cap. |
| Baltimore County | 1.21% | $5,082 | Surrounds Baltimore City (Towson). |
| Anne Arundel County | 0.98% | $4,116 | Includes Annapolis; ultra-low 2% Homestead cap. |
| Baltimore City | 2.15% | $9,030 | Independent city; highest tax rate in Maryland. |
| Howard County | 1.18% | $4,956 | Includes Columbia/Ellicott City. |
| Frederick County | 1.05% | $4,410 | Rapidly growing D.C./Baltimore exurb. |
| Harford County | 0.99% | $4,158 | Includes Bel Air/Aberdeen. |
| Carroll County | 1.04% | $4,368 | Includes Westminster. |
| Charles County | 1.15% | $4,830 | Southern Maryland hub (Waldorf). |
Disclaimer and Methodology
This calculator provides estimates for planning purposes only, based on effective property tax rates (actual median taxes paid divided by median home values). In Maryland, all real property is assessed at 100% of fair market value by the State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT). Effective rates account for the state property tax ($0.112 per $100), county base rates, and applicable district levies.
What this calculator does not account for:
- The Homestead Property Tax Credit. If you have owned your primary home through several assessment cycles, your taxable assessment may be significantly lower than the current full market value.
- Municipal property taxes. If your property is located inside an incorporated municipality (e.g., Rockville, Annapolis, Gaithersburg), an additional city tax rate may apply alongside a county tax set-off.
- The Homeowners’ Property Tax Credit (“Circuit Breaker”) or local senior tax credits.
How to get an accurate estimate:
- Look up your home’s current SDAT Phase-in Assessed Value and Homestead Credit eligibility on the official SDAT Real Property Search.
- Check your specific county and municipal tax rates on the SDAT Tax Rates page.
- Multiply your taxable assessment by the combined state, county, and local tax rates, and divide by 100.
Data sources: Statewide effective rate derived from the Tax Foundation and Census ACS. County tax rates, Homestead Credit percentage caps, triennial assessment rules, and 2024-2026 legislative updates sourced from the Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT) and the Maryland General Assembly.
Return to the National Property Tax Calculator to compare Maryland with other states.
