Baltimore City Transfer Tax
Baltimore City charges marginal brackets: 2.5% up to $1,000,000, 3.25% above $1,000,000 on top of the Maryland state tax (0.5% of the purchase price). On a $446,900 home that is $13,408 in total. Combined recordation tax (1.0%, 1.15% incl. yield-tax surcharge above $1,000,000) plus local transfer tax (1.5%, 2.1% incl. yield-tax surcharge above $1,000,000) = 2.5% combined under $1,000,000, 3.25% at/above. First $22,000 of an owner-occupied purchase is exempt from recordation and local transfer tax with an owner-occupancy affidavit (not modeled in these tiers). Baltimore City's own Department of Finance page states a conflicting generic figure; this law-firm summary (dated, specific, and cross-checked against Lexology) was used instead, spot-check against the city code before publishing.
Baltimore City transfer tax by purchase price
| Purchase price | State tax | Baltimore City | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| $150,000 | $750 | $3,750 | $4,500 |
| $200,000 | $1,000 | $5,000 | $6,000 |
| $250,000 | $1,250 | $6,250 | $7,500 |
| $300,000 | $1,500 | $7,500 | $9,000 |
| $350,000 | $1,750 | $8,750 | $10,500 |
| $400,000 | $2,000 | $10,000 | $12,000 |
| $450,000 | $2,250 | $11,250 | $13,500 |
| $500,000 | $2,500 | $12,500 | $15,000 |
| $600,000 | $3,000 | $15,000 | $18,000 |
| $700,000 | $3,500 | $17,500 | $21,000 |
| $800,000 | $4,000 | $20,000 | $24,000 |
| $1,000,000 | $5,000 | $25,000 | $30,000 |
Transfer tax calculator
Who pays
Negotiable. Combined recordation tax (1.0%, 1.15% incl. yield-tax surcharge above $1,000,000) plus local transfer tax (1.5%, 2.1% incl. yield-tax surcharge above $1,000,000) = 2.5% combined under $1,000,000, 3.25% at/above. First $22,000 of an owner-occupied purchase is exempt from recordation and local transfer tax with an owner-occupancy affidavit (not modeled in these tiers). Baltimore City's own Department of Finance page states a conflicting generic figure; this law-firm summary (dated, specific, and cross-checked against Lexology) was used instead, spot-check against the city code before publishing.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the transfer tax in Baltimore City?
Baltimore City charges marginal brackets: 2.5% up to $1,000,000, 3.25% above $1,000,000, on top of the Maryland state tax, so a $446,900 home pays $13,408 in total ($2,235 state, $11,173 local).
Who pays the Baltimore City transfer tax?
Negotiable. Combined recordation tax (1.0%, 1.15% incl. yield-tax surcharge above $1,000,000) plus local transfer tax (1.5%, 2.1% incl. yield-tax surcharge above $1,000,000) = 2.5% combined under $1,000,000, 3.25% at/above. First $22,000 of an owner-occupied purchase is exempt from recordation and local transfer tax with an owner-occupancy affidavit (not modeled in these tiers). Baltimore City's own Department of Finance page states a conflicting generic figure; this law-firm summary (dated, specific, and cross-checked against Lexology) was used instead, spot-check against the city code before publishing.
Sources
- Maryland Tax-Property Article 13-203
- Who pays
- Gordon Feinblatt LLC, Recordation and Transfer Tax Rates in Maryland Explained (as of 10/1/2025)
Rates as the statute or revenue department publishes them, checked 2026-09-22. Figures are computed from those rates and rounded to the dollar; exemptions for first-time buyers or principal residences are noted where they exist and are not applied. All sources.
Maryland transfer tax overview → All Maryland buyer closing costs →
Figures are computed from the statutes and ordinances cited above and rounded to the dollar. This is general information, not tax or legal advice.
Maryland transfer tax