Property Taxes in Ocean City, Maryland
Median Ocean City, Maryland effective property tax rate: 1.06%, significantly lower than the national median of 1.02%, and lower than the Maryland state median of 1.21%.
Median Ocean City, Maryland home value: $372,050
Median annual Ocean City, Maryland tax bill: $3,821, higher than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.
How are property taxes in Worcester calculated?
Property taxes in Ocean City, Maryland are calculated based on the tax assessed value, which is often lower than the actual market value due to property tax exemptions such as the homestead or senior exemption.
Understanding Ocean City's property tax system, exemptions, and reduction opportunities can lead to significant savings. Regardless of where you live in Ocean City, knowing local tax details benefits homeowners and investors.
Last Updated April 13, 2026
How Does the Ocean City Property Tax Calculator Work?
Use this Ocean City property tax calculator to estimate your annual property tax bill. Enter your property's assessed value and our calculator applies Ocean City's median effective tax rate of 1.06% — based on actual property records in Worcester County — to generate your estimate.
Enter your property's estimated assessed value — the figure the local assessment office uses to calculate your bill, which reflects any exemptions you hold and is typically lower than your home's market value. Our calculator applies Ocean City's median effective rate across all local levies, providing a more accurate estimate than applying a single county millage rate.
Your bill may vary by ZIP code within Ocean City: rates range from 1.06% in 21842 to 1.06% in 21842, primarily due to differences in school district levies and local assessment districts. Ocean City's median tax rate is lower than Maryland's 1.21% median, and the median tax bill of $3,821 is $1,421 higher than the state median.
For a more precise estimate, scroll down to explore ZIP code-level tax rate trends across Ocean City.
About Ocean City Property Taxes
About Property Taxes in Ocean City, Worcester, Maryland
Ocean City's median effective property tax rate of 1.06% is lower than the Maryland state median of 1.21% and higher than the national median of 1.02%. This rate reflects the Worcester County base levy combined with local school district levies and special taxing districts that vary by subdivision throughout the city.
Property tax rates are not uniform across Ocean City. Homeowners in the 21842 ZIP code carry a median effective rate of 1.06%, while those in the same ZIP code also pay 1.06%. This reflects how school district boundaries and local assessment districts are drawn across Worcester County. Understanding which part of Ocean City you live in can make a meaningful difference to your annual tax bill.
Ocean City homeowners who believe their assessed value is too high can file a formal appeal with the Tax Assessor before the February 13, 2026 deadline each year.
If your estimated bill above seems higher than expected, Ownwell can review your assessment and protest on your behalf. You only pay if we save you money.
Property Tax Rates Across Ocean City, Worcester County, Maryland
As noted earlier, local government entities set tax rates, which can vary widely within a state.
Why? Because annually, each county estimates its required budget to provide services and divides that by the total value of all taxable property within its jurisdiction. This calculation results in the property tax rate.
While there are votes and laws involved in setting tax rates and budgets, in a nutshell, this is the annual process.
Below, you can compare Ocean City’s effective property tax rate to other cities in Maryland and the median property tax rates in Maryland and the U.S.
Our median effective property tax rate (tax bill ÷ assessor's market value) accounts for exemptions and deductions, making it more accurate than the general median tax rate, which is the midpoint of statutory rates before adjustments.
Median Effective Ocean City Tax Rate
1.06%
Our median effective property tax rate (tax bill ÷ assessor's market value) accounts for exemptions and deductions, making it more accurate than the general median tax rate, which is the midpoint of statutory rates before adjustments.
Median Effective Worcester County Tax Rate
0.99%
Median Effective Maryland Tax Rate
1.21%
Median Effective United States Tax Rate
1.27%
Property Tax Rates Across Ocean City, Worcester County, Maryland
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Rate | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21842 | 0.88% | 0.97% | 1.06% | 1.15% | 1.23% |
| 21863 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Ocean City, Worcester County, Maryland
When examining property taxes in Ocean City, Maryland, understanding the distinction between "market value" and "assessed value" is crucial.
The market value is what a willing buyer would pay to a willing seller in an open and competitive market, often influenced by location, property condition, and economic market trends. The Worcester County assessment office estimates the market value for tax purposes.
The assessed value is the market value minus any applicable exemptions or limits determined by local laws and offerings. The tax assessed value is the figure used to calculate your property taxes or the amount multiplied by your tax rate to get your tax bill.
Assessment notices:
In Worcester County, assessment notices are sent in the spring each year. They'll typically reach your mailbox by the middle of the month.
Each property owner receives an assessment notice that contains both the market value and assessed value, along with an estimate of your property tax bill. For Ocean City homeowners, the median home price is $372,050, and the median tax bill is $3,821, compared with the national median property tax rate of 1.02% and national median property tax bill of $2,400. The highest median home price is $372,100 in zip code 21842.
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Ocean City, Worcester County, Maryland
Source: Ownwell
$138,000
$255,050
$372,100
Median Ocean City Market Value
$372,050
Median Worcester County Market Value
$322,500
Median Maryland Market Value
$338,400
Median United States Market Value
$274,101
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Ocean City, Worcester County, Maryland
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Home Price | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21842 | $188,100 | $274,000 | $372,100 | $494,000 | $648,740 |
| 21863 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Bills Across Ocean City, Worcester County, Maryland
Property tax bills in Ocean City are based on the assessed value of a home and the local tax rate set for Worcester County. When a property’s market value rises, the assessed value can increase too, which often leads to a higher tax bill. For a home with a median price of $372,050, the tax burden can vary widely depending on location, exemptions, and assessment details.
Homeowners in Ocean City typically see property tax bills that reflect both the value of their property and the rules used to calculate taxes in the area. The 25th percentile tax bill is $2,748, while the 75th percentile tax bill is $5,321 and the 90th percentile tax bill is $7,070. The median tax bill is $3,821 in ZIP code 21842. Compared with the national median property tax bill of $2,400 and national median property tax rate of 1.02%, Ocean City homeowners often face a higher tax load, which can have a meaningful impact on monthly housing costs and long-term affordability.
Median Ocean City Tax Bill
$3,821
Median Worcester County Tax Bill
$3,257
Median Maryland Tax Bill
$4,092
Median United States Tax Bill
$3,209
Property Tax Bills Across Ocean City, Worcester County, Maryland
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Bill | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21842 | $1,961 | $2,748 | $3,821 | $5,321 | $7,070 |
| 21863 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Source: Ownwell
Don't miss the deadline to appeal!
Dates | |
|---|---|
| Appeal Deadline | February 13 |
Links | |
|---|---|
| Worcester Tax Assessor | |
| Website | sdat.dat.maryland.gov |