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Buying a home in Washington County, Maryland

The typical owner-occupied home in Washington County is worth about $296,100, 29% below the Maryland median of $419,900 and 11% below the national median of $332,700. Owners pay a median $2,481 a year in property taxes, about 0.84% of their home's value, lower than the Maryland rate of 0.97%. The median household earns $77,747 a year, so the median home costs 3.8 times the median income (4.1 times for Maryland). 67% of occupied homes here are lived in by their owners, and 64% of those owners still have a mortgage.

Washington County at a glance

Washington County Maryland U.S.
Median home value $296,100 $419,900 $332,700
Median property tax paid per year $2,481 $4,093 $3,119
Property tax as a share of value 0.84% 0.97% 0.94%
Median household income $77,747 $103,678 $80,734
Homes lived in by their owners 67% 68% 65%
Owner homes with a mortgage 64% 71% 61%
Median monthly costs, owners with a mortgage $1,715 $2,347 $1,963
Those costs as a share of the owners' income 19.5% 20.5% 21.0%
Median rent $1,147 $1,705 $1,413
Rent as a share of renters' income 28.8% 30.8% 30.6%
Median year homes were built 1974 1979 1980
Vacant homes 6.7% 7.7% 10.1%
Population 155,709 6,206,011 334,922,499

What a typical home costs per month in Washington County

At this week's average 30-year rate of 7.11%, buying the median Washington County home of $296,100 with 20% down costs about $1,924 a month, including property taxes and insurance. With an FHA loan and 3.5% down, it's about $2,417, because the loan is bigger and FHA adds mortgage insurance.

Lenders usually want housing costs under about 28% of gross income, which means an income of roughly $82,464 for the 20%-down payment. That payment is 30% of the median Washington County household income of $77,747; at that income and 20% down, the 28% guideline points to a home of about $279,000.

The median rent here is $1,147 a month, so owning the median home costs about $777 a month more than renting, before you count the equity you build and any tax benefits.

20% down, 30-year conventional loan
Down payment$59,220
Loan amount$236,880
Principal and interest$1,594
Property taxes (0.84% a year)$207
Homeowners insurance (our estimate, 0.5% a year)$123
PMI$0
Total per month$1,924

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3.5% down, 30-year FHA loan
Down payment$10,364
Loan amount$290,737
Principal and interest$1,956
Property taxes (0.84% a year)$207
Homeowners insurance (our estimate, 0.5% a year)$123
FHA mortgage insurance$131
Total per month$2,417

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Questions about home buying in Washington County

What is the median home value in Washington County?

About $296,100 for owner-occupied homes, according to the Census Bureau's 2020–2024 American Community Survey.

How much are property taxes in Washington County?

Homeowners pay a median $2,481 a year, which is about 0.84% of the median home value. Your bill depends on your home's assessed value and local rates.

What income do you need to buy a home in Washington County?

For the median home with 20% down at 7.11%, the payment is about $1,924 a month. Keeping that under 28% of gross income takes about $82,464 a year.

More about Washington County

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–2024 5-year estimates; Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey, week of November 12, 2026. Estimates for small places have wide margins of error. About our data