Maryland— Property Tax & Closing Costs
2024 Census dataEffective tax rate
1.46%
of assessed value annually
Median home value
$229,600
2024 ACS survey
Median taxes paid
$3,354/yr
2024 data
Baltimore city's 1.46% effective property tax rate ranks 389th highest among the 3,134 US counties tracked, placing it in the top 25% highest nationally. Within Maryland's 24 counties, it's the 1st highest. On the county's median home value of $229,600, the typical homeowner pays $3,354 annually in property tax — $1,725 more than the national median of $1,629. At closing, Maryland's 0.50% combined real estate transfer tax adds roughly $1,148 on a median-priced home, split between buyer and seller. FEMA data shows 51.7% of Baltimore city's land area falls within a Special Flood Hazard Area — a very high exposure level. Flood insurance is required for federally-backed mortgages in those zones and commonly adds $800–$3,000 per year.
Calculate your true cost
Enter any purchase price to see the full cost breakdown for Baltimore city.
County median: $229,600
Leave at $0 if the property has no homeowners association.
LTV: 80.00%
At closing
Monthly ongoing
Year one
Very high flood risk — over 30% of this county lies in a FEMA flood zone. Flood insurance is required for any federally-backed mortgage in the SFHA. Check your property at msc.fema.gov.
All figures are estimates for planning purposes only. Mortgage payment assumes a 30-year fixed rate of 6.8% — your lender will confirm the actual rate. Closing costs vary by lender and transaction. Consult a licensed real estate attorney and lender before making any financial decisions.
Maryland property tax exemptions
Ways buyers in Baltimore city may reduce their annual property tax. These programs apply statewide; verify county specifics with your local assessor.
Homestead Tax Credit (Assessment Cap)
Caps annual taxable assessment increase on the principal residence at 10% statewide. Counties may set lower caps (e.g., Anne Arundel 2%, Prince George's 3%, Talbot 0%). One-time application required.
View official source →Homeowners' Property Tax Credit
Income-based state credit limiting property tax on primary residence to a fixed percentage of gross income. Senior Tax Credit supplements vary by county.
View official source →Disabled Veterans Full Exemption
Complete exemption from real property tax on the dwelling and surrounding yard for veterans with 100% service-connected permanent and total disability (and unremarried surviving spouses).
View official source →Last verified 2026-04. Exemption amounts and eligibility change frequently — always confirm with your county assessor before claiming.
Frequently asked questions
Answers to common questions about buying a home in Baltimore city.
The effective property tax rate in Baltimore city is 1.46% — calculated as the median annual property tax paid ($3,354) divided by the median home value ($229,600), using 2024 US Census ACS 5-year estimates. Your actual bill depends on your purchase price, homestead or senior exemptions, and any special assessments applied in your taxing district.
Maryland's combined real estate transfer tax is approximately 0.50% of the purchase price. On the median Baltimore city home value of $229,600, this adds roughly $1,148 at closing. State Transfer Tax 0.5% of price, customarily split 50/50 buyer/seller. Additional County Recordation Tax varies by jurisdiction ($2.50–$6.00 per $500 = 0.5%–1.2%), also customarily split. First-time MD buyers have the 0.25% buyer-side state portion waived (seller pays full 0.5%). As of July 1, 2025, state transfer tax rises from 0.5% to 1.5% on sales to 'real estate enterprises' (entities with >120 properties or >$12M statewide).
Yes, substantially. FEMA National Risk Index data shows 51.7% of Baltimore city's land area falls within a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA). Flood insurance is required for any federally-backed mortgage on a property inside an SFHA and commonly adds $800–$3,000 per year. Check your specific property's flood zone at msc.fema.gov before buying.
Closing costs for a buyer in Baltimore city typically run $4,592–$11,480 (2–5% of purchase price) on a median-priced home, including title insurance ($800–$2,000), appraisal ($400–$700), home inspection ($350–$600), recording fees ($100–$300), and loan origination (0.5–1.0% of the loan amount). Use the calculator above for a specific estimate at your purchase price.
Data sources for Baltimore city
Every figure on this page is traceable. Verify the numbers yourself against the original public data.
Source for the 1.46% effective property tax rate, median home value, and median taxes paid (ACS 5-year, 2024 vintage).
Source for county-level flood zone exposure, wildfire risk, and other natural hazard ratings. Updated quarterly by FEMA.
Look up a specific property's flood zone and insurance rate map before making an offer on a home in Baltimore city.
Guides for Maryland home buyers
What every buyer should read before making an offer.
HOA Documents
HOA lawsuits — how to check for pending litigation against your future HOA before you close
A buyer closed on a house and only then found out about ongoing HOA lawsuits. Six checks you can run yourself before your contingencies expire.
Read the guide →HOA Documents
Undisclosed HOA special assessment — what you can do if you find out after closing
HOA special assessment not on the disclosure? One buyer got a $15,000 bill the day after closing. How to catch it before — and what to do after.
Read the guide →