Howard County, Maryland Housing Market
In Howard County, Maryland, the median home value is $597,900, with a median monthly rent of $2,099. This places Howard County at #85 nationally out of 3134 counties by median home value, and #2 within Maryland.
📈 Price Trend (2017 → 2024)
📊 Recent Market Momentum (FHFA HPI)
FHFA House Price Index — All-Transactions, Annual (2000 = 100) · Latest: 2025
📍 Economic Snapshot
Employment & Wages
- Avg weekly wage: $1,747
- Establishments: 11,480
- BLS QCEW, 2025
Housing Supply
- Single-family: 329
- Multi-family: 399
- U.S. Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey
Migration Patterns
- Inflow: 136,927 (avg $151,838)
- Outflow: 133,386 (avg $153,825)
- IRS Statistics of Income
📍 Sub-Market Activity
Top 10 active ZIP codes in Howard County · Latest: 2025
| # | ZIP Code | HPI | YoY Change | Latest Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 20777 | 255.3 | +11.91% | 2025 |
| 2 | 20833 | 272.2 | +17.87% | 2025 |
| 3 | 21036 | 243.9 | — | 2025 |
| 4 | 21046 | 303.4 | +9.63% | 2025 |
| 5 | 20723 | 293.6 | +2.77% | 2025 |
| 6 | 20759 | 265.4 | +1.41% | 2025 |
| 7 | 21029 | 260.9 | -3.66% | 2025 |
| 8 | 21738 | 234.4 | -1.64% | 2025 |
| 9 | 21042 | 270.8 | +2.88% | 2025 |
| 10 | 21075 | 280.9 | +2.13% | 2025 |
Source: FHFA HPI for Five-Digit ZIP Codes (All-Transactions Index, 2000 = 100).
This product uses FHFA Data but is neither endorsed nor certified by FHFA.
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💰 Mortgage Guide → 🧾 Property Tax Data →How Howard County Compares
| Metric | Howard County | Maryland Average | U.S. Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home Value | $597,900 | $370,016 | $227,706 |
| Median Gross Rent | $2,099 | $1,459 | $968 |
| Owner Occupancy Rate | 71.5% | 72.7% | 73.3% |
| Price/Rent Ratio | 23.7 | 21.1 | 18.7 |
Market Analysis
The median home value in Howard County is 61.6% above the Maryland state average and 162.6% above the U.S. national average. The median rent of $2,099/month is 43.9% above the state average.
With a price-to-rent ratio of 23.7, renting is generally more cost-effective than buying in the short to medium term. The market favors buyers only for long-term holds.
Howard County has an owner-occupancy rate of 71.5%, compared to 72.7% in Maryland and 73.3% nationally. This indicates a more renter-heavy market than the U.S. average.
Similar Counties by Home Value
| County | State | Median Home Value | Median Rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rockland County | New York | $596,900 | $1,901 |
| Grand County | Colorado | $601,500 | $1,493 |
| Island County | Washington | $593,300 | $1,662 |
| La Plata County | Colorado | $591,500 | $1,504 |
| Monmouth County | New Jersey | $606,100 | $1,827 |
Other Counties in Maryland
| County | Median Home Value | Median Rent | Owner Occ. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Montgomery County | $640,300 | $2,068 | 65.3% |
| Anne Arundel County | $467,900 | $2,071 | 75.1% |
| Frederick County | $464,600 | $1,774 | 77.0% |
| Queen Anne's County | $462,700 | $1,619 | 82.9% |
| Calvert County | $460,200 | $1,759 | 87.2% |
Data Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 2024 5-Year Estimates (2017–2024). Variables: B25077 (Median Home Value), B25064 (Median Gross Rent), B25003 (Tenure). Data collected on 2026-10-14. The price-to-rent ratio is calculated as Median Home Value ÷ (Median Monthly Rent × 12).