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Cost of homeownership in Worcester County, Maryland

Real dollar cost of ownership, rent-vs-buy analysis, and flood risk, backed by Census ACS, FEMA, and FHFA data. Population: 52,827.

Median home value
$310,300
Median property tax
$2,484
Monthly owner cost
$1,762
with mortgage
Affordability (cost % of income)
18.4%

Total annual ownership cost

Breakdown of what owning a typical home in Worcester County costs each year.

  • Property taxes$2,484
  • Insurance estimate$1,500
  • Utilities / energy$2,104
  • Maintenance (1% of value)$3,103
  • Total$9,191/yr · $766/mo

Insurance and energy figures typically vary by property. Adjust in the calculators for a personalized estimate.

Total
$9,191
/ year

Rent vs. buy in Worcester County

Pre-filled with local median home value, median gross rent (Census ACS / HUD FMR), and current FRED rate.

Flood risk

Historical signal from FEMA National Flood Insurance Program.

VERY-HIGH RISK
Total claims
391
Avg claim
$9,676
Active policies
1,468
Avg premium
$1,157
NFIP policy

Historical claims do not capture uninsured properties. A low score does not eliminate flood risk. FEMA flood-zone maps at msc.fema.gov list parcel-level designations.

Full flood-risk breakdown →

Home price trend in Maryland

FHFA House Price Index, quarterly.

vs. Maryland average
Home value below state average.
Property tax below state average.
Homeownership
76.6%

Share of units owner-occupied (Census ACS).

Median household income
$76,689

Census ACS 5-year estimate.

Housing cost burden in Worcester County

Share of households paying 30% or more of income on housing (HUD CHAS 2017-2021). HUD does not publish county-level CHAS rollups through the public API, so Maryland state data is shown for local context alongside the US average.

Maryland: 30%+ cost burdened
43.1%
1,543,720 households surveyed
Maryland: severely burdened (50%+)
19.7%
Paying at least half of income on housing.
Owner vs renter burden
Owner 30%+: 32.9%
Renter 30%+: 28.3%
Renters typically carry a heavier cost burden than owners with a fixed-rate mortgage.

Affordability by income bracket

Monthly 30% housing budget at each income vs the median owner cost in Worcester County. Bars above the dashed line can absorb this county's typical ownership cost.

HUD area median income (4-person household) for Maryland: $131,700. Income limits define 80% AMI at $104,200 and 50% AMI at $65,850.

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to own a home in Worcester County?

Based on Census ACS, typical total annual cost in Worcester County is around $9,191 ($766 per month), covering property tax, insurance estimate, utilities, and 1% maintenance. Your actual cost varies by home age, size, and location within the county.

What is the property tax in Worcester County?

Median annual property tax is $2,484 on the county's median home value of $310,300 (Census ACS).

Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Worcester County?

Annual ownership cost is roughly 33% lower than annual rent at the county's median. Use the calculator below to model your specific situation.

What is the flood risk in Worcester County?

very-high historical flood-risk score from FEMA NFIP: 391 claims, average claim $9,676.

Data sources

Disclaimer. HomeRule is not a real estate agent, lender, appraiser, or financial advisor. This content is for educational and informational purposes only. Actual costs vary significantly by property, location, and individual circumstances. Consult qualified professionals for personalized advice.