Howard County, Maryland Property Taxes
The median property tax rate in Howard County is 1.04%, which is slightly higher than the national median of 0.99% but below the Maryland state median of 1.06%. With the median home value in Howard County at $465,650, the typical annual property tax bill reaches $4,834, surpassing the national median of $2,690. Property taxes in Howard County are calculated based on the tax assessed value, which generally falls below the actual market value due to various property tax exemptions like the primary residence and agricultural exemptions. Understanding Howard County's specific property tax system, exploring available exemptions, and identifying opportunities for property tax reductions can provide significant annual savings. Whether you live in Ellicott City or another part of Howard County, gaining a comprehensive knowledge of local property taxes will benefit both homeowners and real estate investors.
Last Updated June 14, 2024
Howard County, Maryland Property Tax Bill Calculator
$100,000
$1,500,000
$3,000,000
Average Tax Rate
1.04%
Estimate Property Tax Bill
$4,843
$4,494
Ownwell’s Howard County Property Tax Bill Calculator helps any homeowner, real estate investor, or potential owner to estimate their annual property taxes in Howard County with just 2 data points. Enter your property's estimated assessed value, and our calculator applies the median tax rate in Howard County to estimate your property tax bill. This insight helps you understand potential tax liabilities. If you’d like to see trends on a city level, scroll down to navigate to a more local informational page. Your property assessed value is the value assigned to your property by your county for property tax calculations. Assessed value takes into account any exemptions you may have on your property.
Property Tax Rates Across Howard County, Maryland
Property taxes in Howard County play a crucial role in funding essential local services like public schools, road maintenance, and emergency services. The median tax rate in Howard County is 1.04%, which is higher than the U.S. national median of 0.99%. Local government entities within Howard County set these rates annually, and they can vary significantly between different areas within the county. Each year, Howard County estimates its required budget to maintain services for the upcoming fiscal year and divides this budget by the total value of all taxable property in the jurisdiction, resulting in the property tax rate. Although tax rates and budgets are influenced by laws and voter input, this calculation forms the basic process for setting property tax rates. The following data compares Howard County's effective property tax rate with other areas and the national median. For comparison, the city of Hanover has one of the higher property tax rates in the region at 1.11%, while the city of Brookeville boasts one of the lowest at 0.80%. Analyzing how Howard County's tax rates stack up against these benchmarks can give homeowners a better understanding of the local tax landscape.
Average Howard County Tax Rate
1.04%
Average Maryland Tax Rate
1.06%
Average United States Tax Rate
0.99%
Property Tax Rates Across Howard County, Maryland
| City | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Rate | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annapolis Junction | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 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% |
| Simpsonville | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 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% |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Howard County, Maryland
In Howard County, understanding the difference between "market value" and "assessed value" is key to comprehending property taxes. The market value represents the price a willing buyer would pay to a willing seller in an open, competitive market, considering location, property condition, and current economic trends. For tax purposes, this value is estimated by the Howard County Appraisal District. The assessed value, however, is the market value minus any applicable exemptions or limits based on local laws and available programs. The assessed value is then used to calculate your property taxes by multiplying it by the combined tax rates of all relevant taxing entities. Assessment notices in Howard County are typically mailed in the spring, usually by the middle of April. These notices provide homeowners with both the market and assessed values, along with an estimate of the annual property tax bill. By distinguishing between these valuation concepts, property owners can better navigate their tax responsibilities and understand how their property taxes are affected. For example, the highest median tax bill in Howard County is in Glenelg at $8,760, while the lowest is in Annapolis Junction at $2,753. Being aware of these valuation processes in Howard County will help you identify opportunities for appealing assessments or applying for exemptions to manage your tax burden more effectively.
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Howard County, Maryland
Source: Ownwell
$333,000
$623,400
$913,800
Average Howard County Assessed Value
$465,650
Average Maryland Assessed Value
$317,700
Average United States Assessed Value
$244,900
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Howard County, Maryland
| City | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Home Price | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annapolis Junction | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 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 |
| Simpsonville | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 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 |
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 county's assessment office. The assessed value is then multiplied by the local property tax rate to determine the annual tax bill. Factors such as the home's location, size, and market conditions play a significant role in determining its assessed value. Homeowners in Howard County face varying tax bills depending on their property's value. For instance, the tax bill for homes in the 25th percentile is around $3,556, while those in the 75th percentile can expect to pay approximately $6,425. At the high end, the 90th percentile tax bill reaches about $8,266. The highest median tax bill in the county is found in Glenelg at $8,760, whereas Annapolis Junction boasts the lowest median tax bill at $2,753. Compared to the national median property tax rate of 0.99%, Howard County's rates can significantly impact homeowners, especially those with higher-valued properties. Understanding these factors helps homeowners anticipate their annual expenses and plan their finances accordingly.
Average Howard County Tax Bill
$4,834
Average Maryland Tax Bill
$3,419
Average United States Tax Bill
$2,690
Property Tax Bills Across Howard County, Maryland
| City | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Bill | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annapolis Junction | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 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 |
| Simpsonville | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 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 |
Source: Ownwell