Howard County, Maryland Property Taxes

Name: Property Tax Bills Across Howard County, Maryland
Creator: Ownwell
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/

Median Howard County effective property tax rate: 1.04%, slightly higher than the national median of 1.02%.
Median Howard County home value: $465,650
Median annual Howard County tax bill: $4,834, $2,434 higher than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.

How are property taxes in Howard County calculated?

Property taxes in Howard County are calculated based on the tax assessed value, which is often lower than the actual market value due to property tax exemptions such as the homestead or senior exemption.

Understanding your county's property tax system, exemptions, and reduction opportunities can lead to significant savings. Whether you live in Columbia or another part of Howard County, knowing local tax details benefits homeowners and investors.

Last Updated March 1, 2025

Howard County, Maryland Property Tax Bill Calculator

Property Assessed Value

$100,000

$1,500,000

$3,000,000

Median Effective Tax Rate

1.04%

Estimate Property Tax Bill

$4,843

$4,494

Ownwell’s Howard County Property Tax Bill Calculator empowers homeowners, real estate investors, and potential buyers to estimate their annual property taxes in Howard County with just two data points. By entering your property's estimated assessed value, our calculator applies Howard County’s median effective tax rate to accurately estimate your property tax bill. Note that your property's assessed value — determined by your county — reflects any exemptions you may have, ensuring a more precise calculation for your property tax obligations. This insightful tool helps you understand potential tax liabilities and highlights how Ownwell can assist in reducing property taxes in Howard County. The median property tax bill in Howard County is $5,582, significantly higher than the national median of $2,400, underscoring the importance of understanding and managing your property tax obligations. For those interested in more localized information, please scroll down to explore city-level trends!

Property Tax Rates Across Howard County, Maryland

Local government entities set tax rates, which can vary widely within a state. Each county estimates its required budget annually to provide services and divides that by the total value of all taxable property within its jurisdiction, resulting in the property tax rate. While there are votes and laws involved in setting tax rates and budgets, in a nutshell, this is the annual process. Howard County in Maryland has an effective property tax rate of 1.04%, slightly above the national median of 1.02%. In contrast, Hanover in Maryland has the highest median tax rate at 1.11%, while Brookeville has the lowest at 0.80%. This highlights the significant variation in property tax rates even within the same state. Understanding these differences is crucial for property owners who want to manage their tax liabilities effectively. Comparing Howard County's tax rate to other counties in Maryland or the U.S. median can provide valuable insights for property owners looking to appeal or manage their property taxes.

Property Tax Rates Across Howard County, Maryland

Source: Ownwell

0.80%

0.96%

1.11%

Our median effective property tax rate (tax bill ÷ assessor's market value) accounts for exemptions and deductions, making it more accurate than the general median tax rate, which is the midpoint of statutory rates before adjustments.

Median Effective Howard County Tax Rate

1.04%

Median Effective Maryland Tax Rate

1.06%

Median Effective United States Tax Rate

1.02%

Property Tax Rates Across Howard County, Maryland

City	10th Percentile	25th Percentile	Median Tax Rate	75th Percentile	90th Percentile
Brookeville	0.74%	0.79%	0.80%	0.87%	0.93%
Clarksville	0.88%	0.91%	0.96%	1.03%	1.06%
Columbia	0.92%	0.97%	1.04%	1.09%	1.11%
Cooksville	0.77%	0.83%	0.89%	0.93%	0.96%
Dayton	0.73%	0.80%	0.90%	0.95%	0.98%
Elkridge	1.06%	1.08%	1.10%	1.12%	1.13%
Ellicott City	1.01%	1.04%	1.08%	1.11%	1.13%
Fulton	0.85%	0.89%	0.94%	0.98%	1.02%
Glenelg	0.83%	0.85%	0.91%	0.99%	1.05%
Glenwood	0.78%	0.81%	0.86%	0.93%	1.00%
Hanover	1.05%	1.08%	1.11%	1.12%	1.13%
Highland	0.89%	0.91%	0.93%	0.97%	1.00%
Jessup	0.88%	0.90%	0.93%	0.98%	1.02%
Laurel	0.84%	0.90%	0.94%	0.97%	1.01%
Lisbon	0.74%	0.77%	0.86%	0.94%	0.94%
Marriottsville	1.01%	1.04%	1.06%	1.09%	1.11%
Mount Airy	0.87%	0.90%	0.94%	0.98%	1.08%
Savage	0.89%	0.92%	0.95%	0.96%	0.97%
Sykesville	0.93%	1.01%	1.04%	1.06%	1.07%
West Friendship	0.89%	1.02%	1.05%	1.09%	1.11%
Woodbine	0.77%	0.80%	0.84%	0.92%	0.96%
Woodstock	1.02%	1.04%	1.06%	1.09%	1.11%
Annapolis Junction	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Simpsonville	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

Source: Ownwell

Property Tax Assessment Values Across Howard County, Maryland

When examining property taxes in Howard County, understanding the distinction between "market value" and "assessed value" is crucial. The market value is what a willing buyer would pay to a willing seller in an open and competitive market, often influenced by location, property condition, and economic market trends. The Howard County State Department of Assessments and Taxation estimates the market value for tax purposes. The assessed value is the market value minus any applicable exemptions or limits determined by local laws and offerings. The tax assessed value is the figure used to calculate your property taxes or the amount multiplied by your tax rate to get your tax bill. Assessment notices: In Howard County, assessment notices are sent in the spring each year. They’ll typically reach your mailbox by the middle of March. Each property owner receives an assessment notice that contains both the market value and assessed value, along with an estimate of your property tax bill. By providing insights into how assessed and market values are determined, this section helps property owners navigate their tax responsibilities and understand the valuation processes affecting their property taxes in Howard County. For example, the median tax bill in Howard County is $8,760, with tax bills ranging significantly across the county. Glenelg has the highest median home price at $913,800.

Property Tax Assessment Values Across Howard County, Maryland

Source: Ownwell

$333,000

$623,400

$913,800

Median Howard County Market Value

$465,650

Median Maryland Market Value

$317,700

Median United States Market Value

$235,294

Property Tax Assessment Values Across Howard County, Maryland

City	10th Percentile	25th Percentile	Median Home Price	75th Percentile	90th Percentile
Brookeville	$533,330	$600,600	$774,350	$898,925	$988,140
Clarksville	$457,040	$626,150	$815,150	$984,700	$1,329,130
Columbia	$186,400	$282,200	$361,500	$490,150	$616,700
Cooksville	$401,200	$507,250	$729,850	$966,550	$1,175,720
Dayton	$494,710	$605,825	$795,200	$1,086,675	$1,285,690
Elkridge	$214,600	$279,400	$342,000	$425,500	$571,210
Ellicott City	$291,000	$402,225	$526,550	$655,100	$794,910
Fulton	$451,760	$631,250	$792,200	$1,127,975	$1,300,000
Glenelg	$466,650	$616,925	$913,800	$1,197,375	$1,416,800
Glenwood	$500,880	$600,300	$801,400	$1,016,850	$1,230,100
Hanover	$281,360	$365,900	$421,300	$471,400	$528,120
Highland	$511,780	$595,750	$752,600	$1,003,150	$1,358,140
Jessup	$282,780	$311,750	$376,600	$468,100	$562,880
Laurel	$216,600	$331,700	$464,700	$609,300	$738,140
Lisbon	$379,350	$468,450	$535,150	$635,425	$740,410
Marriottsville	$310,800	$466,575	$597,850	$742,025	$848,100
Mount Airy	$379,810	$453,750	$578,100	$724,700	$891,410
Savage	$305,100	$329,000	$389,700	$459,300	$529,950
Sykesville	$406,500	$480,300	$599,500	$762,300	$969,500
West Friendship	$454,710	$609,725	$734,050	$921,225	$1,090,730
Woodbine	$457,640	$562,550	$702,400	$916,625	$1,158,340
Woodstock	$293,100	$342,100	$512,900	$609,950	$778,960
Annapolis Junction	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Simpsonville	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

Source: Ownwell

Property Tax Bills Across Howard County, Maryland

In Howard County, MD, property tax bills are calculated based on the assessed value of a home, which is determined by the local tax assessor. This assessed value is then multiplied by the county's property tax rate to determine the annual tax bill. The median home price in Howard County is $465,650, which, when combined with the local tax rate, results in a median tax bill that is significantly higher than the national median of $2,400. Homeowners in this area see tax bills that vary widely, with the 25th percentile at $3,556 and the 75th percentile reaching $6,425. At the 90th percentile, tax bills rise to $8,266, reflecting the impact of higher property values. Glenelg, a city within the county, has the highest median tax bill at $8,760, while Jessup has the lowest at $3,536. These figures illustrate the substantial financial commitment required from homeowners in Howard County, affecting their overall cost of living and potentially influencing decisions about homeownership in the area.

Property Tax Bills Across Howard County, Maryland

Source: Ownwell

$3,536

$6,148

$8,760

Median Howard County Tax Bill

$4,834

Median Maryland Tax Bill

$3,419

Median United States Tax Bill

$2,400

Property Tax Bills Across Howard County, Maryland

City	10th Percentile	25th Percentile	Median Tax Bill	75th Percentile	90th Percentile
Brookeville	$3,596	$4,769	$5,656	$7,088	$7,412
Clarksville	$5,044	$6,215	$7,997	$9,376	$12,438
Columbia	$2,274	$3,051	$3,806	$4,938	$6,069
Cooksville	$3,784	$4,620	$6,272	$8,635	$10,294
Dayton	$4,689	$5,513	$6,733	$8,627	$10,502
Elkridge	$2,453	$3,101	$3,802	$4,702	$6,366
Ellicott City	$3,451	$4,411	$5,693	$6,992	$8,415
Fulton	$5,208	$6,245	$7,722	$9,938	$11,608
Glenelg	$5,121	$6,181	$8,760	$10,874	$12,348
Glenwood	$4,757	$5,368	$6,900	$8,802	$11,029
Hanover	$3,357	$4,247	$4,695	$5,128	$5,717
Highland	$4,819	$5,670	$7,133	$9,346	$12,245
Jessup	$2,820	$3,057	$3,536	$4,254	$5,135
Laurel	$2,063	$3,222	$4,469	$5,651	$6,761
Lisbon	$3,230	$3,580	$4,594	$5,945	$6,100
Marriottsville	$3,833	$5,226	$6,406	$8,019	$8,900
Mount Airy	$3,830	$4,414	$5,443	$6,643	$8,048
Savage	$2,894	$3,101	$3,634	$4,274	$4,793
Sykesville	$4,409	$5,023	$6,114	$7,894	$10,072
West Friendship	$4,987	$6,343	$7,743	$9,718	$11,403
Woodbine	$3,985	$4,742	$6,082	$7,888	$9,639
Woodstock	$3,097	$4,577	$5,460	$6,689	$8,346
Annapolis Junction	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Simpsonville	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

Source: Ownwell