Frederick County Property Tax 2026: What It Adds to Your Mortgage, Town by Town
In Frederick County, which side of a town line a house sits on can cancel out most of the savings from a lower price.
Short answer: Frederick County property tax for 2026 is $1.11 per $100 of assessed value, plus the Maryland state rate of $0.112, for a total of $1.222 outside the incorporated towns. Inside a town you also pay the town’s own rate, and in the City of Frederick the total is $1.83 per $100. On a $450,000 home that is about $458 a month outside the towns and about $686 a month in the city. The city’s typical home is cheaper than the county’s, but its higher tax rate means the monthly payment comes out almost the same.
By Ken Byrne, NMLS #187129 · ALCOVA Mortgage LLC, NMLS #40508 · Updated September 2026
Most buyers in Frederick County shop by price and school, then discover the property tax bill when the Loan Estimate arrives. That is backward, because in Frederick the tax rate depends on whether the home sits inside one of the incorporated towns, and the gap between the lowest and highest combined rate in the county is more than 60 cents per $100. This guide sets out the 2026 rates for the county and every town, what each adds to a monthly mortgage payment, the taxes you pay at closing, and the loan limits and state programs that apply to Frederick County buyers. For a payment built on your own numbers, JB Financing can run it the same day.
Frederick County property tax rates for 2026
Maryland property tax is made up of layers. Every owner pays the state rate. Every owner pays a county rate. Owners inside an incorporated town also pay the town rate, and in two places, the City of Frederick and Myersville, the county charges a lower county rate than it does elsewhere.
| Where the home is | Town rate | County rate | State rate | Total per $100 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Outside any town (unincorporated) | None | $1.1100 | $0.1120 | $1.2220 |
| Rosemont | $0.0400 | $1.1100 | $0.1120 | $1.2620 |
| New Market | $0.1200 | $1.1100 | $0.1120 | $1.3420 |
| Walkersville | $0.1400 | $1.1100 | $0.1120 | $1.3620 |
| Woodsboro | $0.1800 | $1.1100 | $0.1120 | $1.4020 |
| Burkittsville | $0.1900 | $1.1100 | $0.1120 | $1.4120 |
| Mt. Airy | $0.1962 | $1.1100 | $0.1120 | $1.4182 |
| Myersville | $0.3460 | $0.9666 | $0.1120 | $1.4246 |
| Middletown | $0.2320 | $1.1100 | $0.1120 | $1.4540 |
| Thurmont | $0.2780 | $1.1100 | $0.1120 | $1.5000 |
| Emmitsburg | $0.3464 | $1.1100 | $0.1120 | $1.5684 |
| Brunswick | $0.4100 | $1.1100 | $0.1120 | $1.6320 |
| City of Frederick | $0.7055 | $1.0125 | $0.1120 | $1.8300 |
Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation, 2026-2027 tax rate table for July 2026. Totals are the sum of the three rates. The Mt. Airy rates are the Frederick County listing.
Two things stand out. The unincorporated county is the cheapest place to own in Frederick County by tax rate, and the City of Frederick is the most expensive by a wide margin, even though the county charges city residents a lower county rate. A buyer comparing a house just inside the city limits with a similar one just outside is comparing a total rate of $1.83 against $1.22.
Assessed value is not the same as the price. Maryland assessments are set by the state and updated on a regular cycle, so the value your tax is calculated on may be above or below what you pay for the home. The figures in this guide assume the assessment equals the price, which is the simplest way to compare places.
What the property tax adds to a monthly payment
Here is the same comparison in dollars, using the typical home value in each area and a 30 year fixed loan with 10 percent down.
| Area | Typical home value | Total tax rate | Property tax a month | Principal and interest | Tax plus P&I |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frederick County, at the unincorporated rate | $498,471 | $1.222 | $508 | $2,970 | $3,477 |
| City of Frederick | $459,795 | $1.830 | $701 | $2,739 | $3,440 |
| Middletown | $564,302 | $1.454 | $684 | $3,362 | $4,046 |
| Walkersville | $463,971 | $1.362 | $527 | $2,764 | $3,291 |
| Brunswick | $407,630 | $1.632 | $554 | $2,428 | $2,983 |
Typical values from the Zillow Home Value Index, updated August 31, 2026. Principal and interest at 6.95 percent, the Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey 30 year average for the week of September 17, 2026. Homeowners insurance, mortgage insurance and any HOA fee are excluded.
The City of Frederick row is the one to study. Its typical home is about $39,000 cheaper than the county figure, yet the monthly total is within $40 of it, because the tax bill is nearly $200 a month higher. On a $450,000 home, the difference between the city’s rate and the unincorporated rate is about $228 a month, or about $2,736 a year.
That is money that would otherwise go toward a larger loan. Every $100 a month of property tax reduces the price you can qualify for, which is why the tax rate belongs in your budget before you start touring. Our guide to how much house you can afford in Maryland works through the full qualifying math.
“Tell me the Frederick County towns you are looking at and your price range. I will show you the full monthly payment in each, tax included, so you can compare them on the number that matters.”
Arslan Jamil, Broker Associate
Loans originated by Ken Byrne, NMLS ID# 187129 · ALCOVA Mortgage LLC, NMLS ID# 40508. Equal Housing Lender.
The homestead credit and why you should apply
Maryland’s Homestead Tax Credit limits how much the taxable assessment on your principal residence can rise each year, by a fixed percentage set locally. Frederick County’s cap is 5 percent.
| Jurisdiction | Homestead cap on annual assessment increases |
|---|---|
| Frederick County and most of its towns | 5 percent |
| Mt. Airy | 3 percent |
| Walkersville | 10 percent |
Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation, 2026-2027 tax rate and homestead credit cap table, and SDAT’s Homestead Tax Credit guidance.
The credit is not automatic. It applies only to a home you own and live in as your principal residence, and you have to file a one time application with the state, so it belongs on your move in list.
A related point for veterans: Maryland exempts the principal residence of a veteran rated 100 percent permanently and totally disabled from property tax entirely. The wider Maryland picture, including other state programs, is on our Maryland mortgage page.
Taxes you pay at closing in Frederick County
The annual property tax is only half the tax picture. Two taxes are charged when the deed is recorded.
| Tax | Rate in Frederick County | On a $498,471 purchase |
|---|---|---|
| County recordation tax | $7.00 for every $500 of consideration | $6,979 |
| County transfer tax | None; Frederick County does not impose one | $0 |
| Maryland state transfer tax, standard | 0.5 percent | $2,492 |
| Maryland state transfer tax, first time Maryland buyer | 0.25 percent, paid entirely by the seller | $1,246, paid by the seller |
Circuit Court for Frederick County, recording fees and taxes; Maryland Tax Property Code 13-203. The purchase price is the Frederick County typical value used above, for illustration.
The first time buyer rule is worth knowing precisely. When a home is sold to a first time Maryland buyer who will live in it as a principal residence, the state transfer tax is cut to 0.25 percent and the seller pays all of it. The county recordation tax still applies, and on a typical Frederick County home it is close to $7,000, so it deserves a line of its own in your cash to close.
Frederick County also charges a separate agricultural transfer tax on land zoned agricultural, which matters if you are buying acreage rather than a house lot. Recordation and transfer tax rules across every Maryland county are compared in our guide to closing costs in Maryland.
Recordation tax in Frederick County is $7.00 per $500 of the price, close to $7,000 on a typical home, and it is paid at closing.
Loan limits in Frederick County, Maryland
Frederick County, Maryland is part of the Washington metro area for loan limit purposes, which puts its one unit limit at $1,249,125, the 2026 ceiling.
| Frederick County, MD, 2026 conforming loan limit | Amount |
|---|---|
| One unit | $1,249,125 |
| Two units | $1,599,375 |
| Three units | $1,933,200 |
| Four units | $2,402,625 |
Federal Housing Finance Agency, 2026 conforming loan limits by county. Frederick County, MD is in CBSA 47900, Washington-Arlington-Alexandria.
Do not confuse it with Frederick County, Virginia. The Virginia county of the same name, around Winchester, sits in a different metro area and has a one unit conforming limit of $832,750. Searches for “Frederick County loan limit” often return the wrong state.
With typical values around $500,000 and a one unit limit of $1,249,125, a conforming loan has a lot of room in Frederick County. FHA limits are set separately by HUD; our guide to FHA loan limits in Maryland covers them.
Buying your first home in Frederick County?
Arslan Jamil, Broker Associate
Between the state first time buyer transfer tax rule and the Maryland Mortgage Program, first time buyers here can often bring less to closing than they expect. I can tell you which of them you qualify for.
Loans originated by Ken Byrne, NMLS ID# 187129 · ALCOVA Mortgage LLC, NMLS ID# 40508. Equal Housing Lender.
Maryland Mortgage Program limits for Frederick County
The Maryland Mortgage Program is the state’s main route to down payment help for first time buyers. Its limits are set county by county.
| Frederick County, effective June 24, 2026 | Limit |
|---|---|
| Household income, 1 or 2 people | $199,320 |
| Household income, 3 or more people | $232,540 |
| Maximum acquisition cost, non targeted area | $1,306,974 |
| Maximum acquisition cost, targeted area | $1,597,413 |
| Maximum mortgage, state CDA loans | $832,750 |
Maryland Mortgage Program income and purchase price limits, effective June 24, 2026.
The program treats you as a first time buyer if you have not owned residential property in the past three years, with exceptions for homes in targeted areas and for honorably discharged veterans. Its 1st Time Advantage 6000 option pairs the first mortgage with a $6,000 loan at 0 percent for down payment and closing costs. How each option works, and how to apply, is in our Maryland Mortgage Program guide.
What to ask a mortgage lender in Frederick
Whoever you borrow from, the questions that separate a good Frederick County quote from a weak one are specific to this market.
| Ask | Why it matters here |
|---|---|
| Which property tax rate did you use? | A quote built on the county rate for a city address can understate the payment by more than $200 a month |
| Is the recordation tax in the estimate? | At $7.00 per $500, it is one of the largest closing costs in the county |
| Do I qualify as a first time Maryland buyer? | It cuts the state transfer tax and shifts it to the seller |
| Can you originate Maryland Mortgage Program loans? | The program works through participating lenders, and the limits above apply |
| Is the homestead credit application on my closing list? | It caps future assessment increases only after you apply |
The same questions apply one county over; our guide to choosing a mortgage lender in Montgomery County covers the neighboring market.
First time buyers comparing Maryland with Virginia or the District will find the state by state differences set out in our first time homebuyer guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Frederick County property tax rate for 2026?
The county rate is $1.11 per $100 of assessed value and the Maryland state rate is $0.112, for a total of $1.222 outside the incorporated towns. Inside a town, add the town rate; in the City of Frederick the total is $1.83.
What is the property tax rate in the City of Frederick?
The city rate is $0.7055 per $100, the county charges city residents $1.0125, and the state rate is $0.112, for a combined $1.83 per $100 of assessed value.
How much is property tax on a $450,000 home in Frederick County?
About $5,499 a year, or $458 a month, outside the towns at $1.222 per $100. In the City of Frederick at $1.83 per $100, about $8,235 a year, or $686 a month. Both assume the assessment equals the price.
Which town in Frederick County has the lowest property tax?
Among the incorporated towns, Rosemont has the lowest combined rate at $1.262. The unincorporated county is lower still at $1.222. The City of Frederick is the highest at $1.83.
Does Frederick County have a transfer tax?
No county transfer tax. The county charges a recordation tax of $7.00 per $500 of consideration, and Maryland charges a state transfer tax of 0.5 percent, or 0.25 percent paid entirely by the seller when the buyer is a first time Maryland buyer.
What is the recordation tax in Frederick County, MD?
$7.00 for every $500 of consideration, which works out to 1.4 percent. On a $498,471 purchase it is about $6,979.
What is the Frederick County homestead tax credit cap?
5 percent a year for the county and most towns, 3 percent in Mt. Airy and 10 percent in Walkersville. You must apply once with the state for it to apply to your principal residence.
What is the conforming loan limit in Frederick County, MD?
$1,249,125 for a one unit home in 2026. Frederick County, Virginia is a different county with a limit of $832,750.
What are the Maryland Mortgage Program income limits in Frederick County?
$199,320 for a household of one or two and $232,540 for three or more, effective June 24, 2026. The maximum acquisition cost is $1,306,974 outside targeted areas.
Is it cheaper to buy in the City of Frederick or outside it?
By price, the city’s typical home is lower. By monthly cost, the higher city tax rate nearly cancels that out: in the example above the two monthly totals are within $40 of each other.
“Send me the addresses or the towns you are considering in Frederick County. I will send back the full monthly payment for each, the taxes due at closing, and which programs you qualify for.”
Arslan Jamil, Broker Associate
Loans originated by Ken Byrne, NMLS ID# 187129 · ALCOVA Mortgage LLC, NMLS ID# 40508. Equal Housing Lender.
This article is general information, not financial or legal advice and not a commitment to lend or an offer of credit. Loan limits, program rules, premium schedules and rates change, and individual eligibility depends on a full review of your credit, income, assets and the property. Every figure here is an illustration, not a quote, built from published sources and a weekly survey average rather than underwriting decisions. Insurance and mortgage insurance amounts are planning estimates. Confirm anything you plan to act on with a licensed mortgage professional. Tax rates are from the Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation 2026-2027 table and the Circuit Court for Frederick County, loan limits from FHFA, and program limits from the Maryland Mortgage Program. Rates change each July and your actual bill depends on your assessment. Payment figures are illustrations on stated assumptions, not a quote.
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