Howard County, MD Property Taxes (2026)

Howard County owners pay a median of $6,814 a year on a median home value of $576,700, an effective rate of 1.18%. That's the 2nd-highest rate of 24 Maryland counties with Census data, above the Maryland county median of 0.94%.

Updated October 2026 · Data: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (2019–2023)

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Effective tax rate

1.18%

2nd highest of 24 in MD

Median annual bill

$6,814

~$568/month

Median home value

$576,700

Maryland county median

0.94%

Effective rate

What a protest could save you in Howard County

Enter the market value from your appraisal notice. We apply Howard County's 1.18% effective rate and a 10–15% reduction, the typical range for successful protests.

$
Est. annual tax
$6,805
Savings at 10–15% off
$681–$1,021
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Howard County vs. Maryland vs. U.S. property tax rates

Howard County1.18%
Maryland county median0.94%
U.S. county median0.84%

Key stat: Howard County's effective property tax rate is 1.18%, vs. 0.94% for the median Maryland county and 0.84% for the median U.S. county. It ranks 2nd of 24 in Maryland. Effective rate = median tax bill ÷ median home value, so it already reflects typical exemptions. (Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (2019–2023))

How to appeal your property taxes in Howard County

  1. 1

    Review your assessment notice

    Check the assessed value from the Howard Department of Assessments and Taxation. Compare it to recent sales of similar homes nearby.

  2. 2

    File your appeal before the deadline

    The Howard County deadline is 45 days after notice. Missing it means waiting until the next assessment year.

  3. 3

    Gather evidence

    Recent comparable sales, photos of condition issues, repair estimates or an independent appraisal.

  4. 4

    Present your case

    Submit evidence or attend a hearing with the Department of Assessments and Taxation.

  5. 5

    Get your decision

    If you win, your assessed value and bill go down. On a $6,814 bill, 10–15% off is $681–$1022 a year.

Want help with it?

TaxDrop builds your case from comparable sales data. See pricing →

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Property tax exemptions in Maryland

Maryland homeowners may qualify for exemptions that reduce taxable value. Check with the Howard Department of Assessments and Taxation for amounts.

Homestead exemption

For your primary residence. Reduces the value used to calculate your bill.

Senior / over-65

Many states add an exemption or freeze for owners 65 and older.

Disability

For homeowners with qualifying disabilities, often similar to the over-65 benefit.

Veterans

Disabled veterans may get partial or full exemptions depending on rating.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the property tax rate in Howard County, Maryland?
The median effective property tax rate in Howard County is 1.18%: a median annual bill of $6,814 on a median home value of $576,700. That's the 2nd-highest rate of 24 Maryland counties with Census data. Your own rate depends on which city, school district and special districts you're in. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (2019–2023).
How much are property taxes in Howard County?
The median Howard County property tax bill is $6,814 a year, about $568 a month, compared with a Maryland county median of $3,314.
What is the deadline to appeal property taxes in Howard County?
The deadline to appeal in Howard County is 45 days after notice. Missing it means waiting until the next assessment cycle.
Is Howard County a high property tax area?
Howard County's 1.18% effective rate is above the Maryland county median of 0.94% and above the U.S. county median of 0.84%. That's the 2nd-highest rate of 24 Maryland counties with Census data.
Can TaxDrop help lower my Howard County property taxes?
TaxDrop analyzes your property against local comparable sales and helps you appeal your assessment. See www.taxdrop.com/property-tax-appeal-pricing for current pricing.

Property taxes in nearby counties

Montgomery County

Rate: 0.87%

Median bill: $5,341

Baltimore city

Rate: 1.48%

Median bill: $3,236

Baltimore County

Rate: 1.10%

Median bill: $3,645

Carroll County

Rate: 0.94%

Median bill: $3,837

Anne Arundel County

Rate: 0.85%

Median bill: $3,836

Frederick County

Rate: 1.02%

Median bill: $4,463

Prince George's County

Rate: 1.15%

Median bill: $4,662

Harford County

Rate: 0.93%

Median bill: $3,424

← All 24 Maryland counties

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