21842 Property Tax Rate

Ocean City, Maryland · Part of Worcester County

ACS 2019-2023 · Updated Dec 2024

Effective Tax Rate

0.86%

10.4% below state avg

Median Annual Tax

$3,560

$297/mo escrow

Estimate Your Tax

$
$50K$2M

Annual Tax

$3,560

Monthly

$297

Eff. Rate

0.86%

vs. Maryland Avg10.4% below
vs. National Avg32.3% above

How ZIP 21842 Compares

Median Annual Property Tax

ZIP 21842$3,560
Maryland Average$3,974
National Average$2,690

ZIP 21842

0.86%

Effective rate

Maryland Avg

0.96%

Effective rate

National Avg

1.10%

Effective rate

State Ranking

Property Tax Rank in Maryland

0.19%state avg 0.96%1.71%

Lower than 71% of ZIP codes in Maryland(29th percentile, 423 ZIPs compared)

Property Tax Analysis

Property Tax Insights for ZIP 21842

Property owners in ZIP code 21842 (Ocean City, Maryland) pay a median of $3,560/year in property taxes on homes valued at $415,900. This translates to an effective tax rate of 0.86%, which is 11% below the Maryland state average of 0.96%.

The monthly property tax burden for a median-valued home in 21842 is approximately $297, which factors into escrow payments on mortgages. This ZIP code is located within Worcester County. This is $414 less than the Maryland average of $3,974/year.

Compared to similar ZIP codes in Maryland, 21842 has lower property taxes. ZIP codes with similar effective rates include 20664 (0.86%) and 20905 (0.86%).

In Ocean City, property taxes represent approximately 4.7% of the median household income of $75,372, providing context for the relative tax burden on homeowners in this area.

Maryland's Homestead Tax Credit limits annual assessment increases to 10% on primary residences, shielding you from market-driven spikes in Worcester County. Register your homestead exemption with the Worcester County Assessor within 30 days of purchase to ensure the cap takes effect immediately. Contact the Worcester County Assessor's office to obtain the homestead application and verify your assessment base value before the 30-day deadline expires.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the property tax rate in ZIP code 21842?
The effective property tax rate in ZIP code 21842 (Ocean City, MD) is 0.86%. This rate is calculated by dividing the median annual property tax payment by the median home value within this ZIP Code Tabulation Area (ZCTA), based on U.S. Census Bureau data.
How much are property taxes in Ocean City, MD (21842)?
The median annual property tax payment in ZIP code 21842 is $3,560. This figure represents the typical amount paid by homeowners in this area. Actual taxes vary based on your assessed property value and any applicable exemptions.
How does ZIP 21842 compare to the Maryland average?
ZIP code 21842's effective tax rate of 0.86% is lower than the Maryland state average of 0.96%. The median annual property tax in this ZIP is $3,560, compared to the state average of $3,974.
What is the median home value in ZIP 21842?
The median home value in ZIP code 21842 (Ocean City, MD) is $415,900, according to U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates at the ZCTA level.
What county is ZIP code 21842 in?
ZIP code 21842 is part of Worcester County in Maryland. For broader county-level property tax data, including comparisons with other counties in Maryland, visit the Worcester County profile on TaxByCounty.

Margin of Error

The median property tax estimate for this ZIP code has a margin of error of ±$283. ZCTA-level data has wider margins than county-level estimates due to smaller sample sizes.

County-Level Data

ZIP code 21842 is part of Worcester County, Maryland. View the full county profile for broader context and more data.

View Worcester County on TaxByCounty →
By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & Data Editor

Data from U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates (ZCTA level). ZIP Code Tabulation Areas (ZCTAs) are Census approximations of USPS ZIP codes.

Estimates are informational only and should not be used as financial or legal advice.

Learn about our data sources and methodology →