Howard County property tax, in one number.
The typical Howard County homeowner pays $6,987 a year on a $597,900 home. That's above the Maryland rate (0.97%) and above the U.S. rate (0.94%).
Estimate my taxHoward County at a glance
Five numbers that shape a typical property tax bill here.
Property tax calculator
Enter a home value to see a typical yearly bill at Howard County's average effective rate, or pick another area.
- Bills are up, rates are down.The median tax paid rose from $5,285 in 2015 to $6,983 in 2024 (+32%), while home values rose 43%. That pushed the effective rate down.
- 2nd highest rate in Maryland.Out of 24 Maryland counties with full data. Nationally, the rate is higher than in 75% of U.S. counties.
- Mortgage or not, bills are similar.Homes with a mortgage paid a median $6,967, and homes owned outright paid $7,039.
The data, charted
Median tax paid & effective rate
Owners vs renters
Effective rate by city
Largest Maryland counties
| County | Median tax | Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Howard County | $6,987 | 1.17% |
| Prince George's County | $4,771 | 1.12% |
| Baltimore County | $3,736 | 1.07% |
| Montgomery County | $5,539 | 0.87% |
| Anne Arundel County | $3,957 | 0.85% |
| Maryland | $4,093 | 0.97% |
Compare neighboring counties
Effective property tax rates in and around Howard County.
Cities and towns in Howard County
Places with at least 2,000 owner-occupied homes and reliable survey data.
- Columbia1.22% · $6,082
- Ellicott City1.22% · $8,044
- Ilchester1.25% · $6,631
- Elkridge1.16% · $5,254
- North Laurel1.23% · $5,554
- Scaggsville1.19% · $7,927
Good to know
What is the property tax rate in Howard County?
The effective rate is about 1.17%. The median homeowner pays $6,987 a year on a home worth a median $597,900 (ACS 2020–2024). The legal tax rates set by each taxing unit are different numbers; the effective rate is what owners actually pay as a share of value.
How much is property tax on a $600,000 home in Howard County?
About $7,020 a year, or roughly $585 a month, at Howard County's average effective rate of 1.17%. Homestead, senior, veteran or other exemptions can lower the real bill, and a recent purchase or reassessment can raise it.
Why is my bill different from this estimate?
Your bill depends on your home's assessed value from the county assessor, the exact taxing units where you live (county, city, school district, special districts) and any exemptions you get. These figures are medians across all owner-occupied homes, not a bill for any address.
How current is this data?
It comes from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey 5-year estimates for 2020–2024, the latest release. Homeowners report the taxes they paid, so the numbers lag current bills by one to two years. We update the site when the Census Bureau publishes new estimates each December.
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