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Estimate Title Costs →Below about $775,000, buying in Prince George's County costs more in transfer and recordation tax than buying in Montgomery County, about $1,250 more on a $600,000 home. Above that the order flips, because Montgomery County's recordation tax rises in tiers while Prince George's charges one flat rate. On a $1.2 million home, Montgomery County costs about $5,100 more.
The figures below are for an owner-occupied home and use the county rates verified for this site in June 2026. They cover the government taxes on the deed, not lender fees, title insurance or the settlement fee. For your own numbers, use the Maryland closing cost calculator.
The tax rates side by side
| Tax | Montgomery County | Prince George's County |
|---|---|---|
| State transfer tax | 0.5% of the price | 0.5% of the price |
| County transfer tax | 1.0% when the price is $70,000 or more | 1.4% |
| County recordation tax | $4.45 per $500 up to $500,000, then $6.75, $10.20, $10.78 and $11.35 per $500 in higher brackets | 0.55% ($2.75 per $500) |
| Owner-occupied break | First $100,000 exempt from recordation tax | None countywide |
Maryland has no separate statewide recordation tax. Each county sets its own rate, charged on the price of the home, and a purchase-money mortgage recorded with the deed is not taxed separately (Md. Code, Tax–Property § 12-103). The state transfer tax is 0.5% in both counties (Tax–Property § 13-203).
What the taxes add up to
Totals for the state transfer tax, county transfer tax and county recordation tax combined, owner-occupied:
| Price | Montgomery County | Prince George's County | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| $400,000 | $8,670 | $9,800 | PG costs $1,130 more |
| $500,000 | $11,060 | $12,250 | PG costs $1,190 more |
| $600,000 | $13,450 | $14,700 | PG costs $1,250 more |
| $750,000 | $18,070 | $18,375 | PG costs $305 more |
| $900,000 | $23,438 | $22,050 | Montgomery costs $1,388 more |
| $1,200,000 | $34,520 | $29,400 | Montgomery costs $5,120 more |
Why the order flips above about $775,000
Prince George's County charges more on the transfer side: 1.4% against Montgomery County's 1.0%. Montgomery County makes that up on recordation. Its rate is $4.45 per $500 up to $500,000, but it climbs to $10.20 per $500 above $600,000 and $11.35 per $500 above $1 million. Prince George's stays at $2.75 per $500 at every price. At lower prices the transfer-tax difference wins; at higher prices Montgomery County's recordation brackets do.
Who pays these taxes
Unless the contract says otherwise, Maryland law presumes the buyer and seller split the transfer and recordation taxes equally (Real Property § 14-104(b)). On a $600,000 Montgomery County purchase, that is about $6,725 each.
First-time Maryland homebuyers get a better deal in both counties. The buyer pays no state transfer tax, and the seller pays a halved 0.25% rate. The county transfer tax and recordation tax also go to the seller by default, unless the contract expressly says otherwise. See the Maryland first-time homebuyer transfer tax exemption for who qualifies.
What does not change between the counties
Title insurance premiums come from rate schedules each underwriter files with the Maryland Insurance Administration, and they apply statewide. In Stewart Title's published Maryland schedule, a standard owner's policy on a $600,000 home is $2,901.50 and the lender's policy issued with it is $350, before discounts, in either county. Other underwriters' rates differ, so compare the premium line on each quote. The buyer customarily pays for both policies.
Deeds are recorded with the circuit court for the county where the home sits: in Rockville for Montgomery County and in Upper Marlboro for Prince George's County.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which county has lower closing taxes, Montgomery or Prince George's?
Below about $775,000, Montgomery County. On a $600,000 owner-occupied home, the state and county transfer and recordation taxes total about $13,450 in Montgomery County and $14,700 in Prince George's County. Above about $775,000, Prince George's County comes out lower because its 0.55% recordation rate stays flat.
What is the Prince George's County transfer tax?
1.4% of the price, on top of Maryland's 0.5% state transfer tax. It does not apply to a purchase-money mortgage or deed of trust.
Is there a recordation tax exemption in Montgomery County?
Yes. The first $100,000 of the price is exempt from Montgomery County recordation tax for owner-occupied residential property when the buyer intends to live there for 7 of the next 12 months.
Who pays transfer tax in Maryland?
By default the buyer and seller split it equally, unless the contract says otherwise. For a qualifying first-time Maryland homebuyer, the seller pays the entire state transfer tax at a 0.25% rate, and the county taxes go to the seller by default.
General information about title insurance and closing costs in Virginia, Maryland and DC, not legal or tax advice. Tax rates, fees and rules change, so confirm the figures for your own transaction.
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