Cost to Own
United States › Maryland › Howard County › North Laurel Population 25,201 Data vintage ACS 2023 5-Year Rates updated 2026-10-22
The part nobody budgets Even with the mortgage fully paid off, the median home here still costs $1,191 a month in taxes, insurance, utilities and upkeep. See the full Howard County picture

Total monthly cost of ownership

Cost to Own a Home in North Laurel, Maryland

A $443,000 home here costs

$3,626

per month, all in, with 20% down at today's 7.32% 30-year fixed rate. By the 28% rule that takes a household income of about $155,500 a year.

P&I 67%Tax 12%Insurance 3%Utilities 7%Upkeep 10%

A standard mortgage calculator would have told you $2,434. The real number is $1,191 higher every month, 49% more than the payment most buyers budget for.

Compare Howard County with anywhere in America · full county breakdown

North Laurel median: $442,800
Under 20% adds PMI
Freddie Mac PMMS
MD average household

Where every dollar goes

Only the first line is a mortgage payment. Change any assumption above and every figure below recalculates.

Principal & interest30-year fixed, $354,400 borrowed $2,434
Property tax1.204% effective rate for North Laurel itself $444
Homeowners insuranceMaryland averages $1,238/yr (NAIC), or 0.3% of home value $111
Electricity21.4ยข/kWh, Maryland residential average, EIA $199
Water, sewer & trashUS household average $68
Maintenance reserve1% of home value per year $369
Total monthly $3,626

North Laurel against Howard County and Maryland

MeasureNorth LaurelHoward County
Median home value$442,800$576,700
Median property tax$5,333$6,814
Effective tax rate1.204%1.182%
Median gross rent$1,913$2,038
Population25,201333,916

The weather behind that power bill

North Laurel sits in Howard County, which averages a high of 88.8°F in its hottest month and a low of 25.4°F in its coldest, with 45" of precipitation a year and 29% of it in a single three-month stretch. That climate drives 1,322 cooling and 4,484 heating degree days, which is what sets the $199 electricity line above.

See the full climate breakdown for Howard County , month by month temperatures, rainy season timing, snowfall and heating and cooling costs.

Other cities in Howard County

Full Howard County cost breakdown · Every county in Maryland

Talk to someone who works this market

These are North Laurel averages. What one specific house costs to own, or what it would sell for today, depends on the street and the condition of the place. We will connect you with one licensed local agent who works North Laurel every week. Free, no obligation, and we never sell your details to a list.

I'm looking to buy in North Laurel I already own here and may sell

Common questions

How much does it cost to own a home in North Laurel?

A $443,000 home in North Laurel, Maryland costs approximately $3,626 per month with 20% down at 7.32%. That is $2,434 principal and interest, $444 property tax, $111 homeowners insurance, $267 utilities and $369 set aside for maintenance.

What is the property tax rate in North Laurel?

North Laurel has an effective property tax rate of 1.204%, based on a median home value of $442,800 and median real estate taxes of $5,333. That is higher than the Howard County average of 1.182%.

What is the average home price in North Laurel?

The median owner-occupied home value in North Laurel, Maryland is $442,800, against $576,700 across Howard County.

Is it cheaper to rent or buy in North Laurel?

Median gross rent in North Laurel is $1,913 a month, against $3,626 to own the median home all in. Renting costs less month to month here, though renting builds no equity.

What salary do you need to buy a home in North Laurel?

Using the standard 28% rule, housing costs at no more than 28% of gross income, buying the median home in North Laurel, Maryland at today's rate takes a household income of roughly $155,500 a year. That covers the full $3,626 monthly cost, not just the mortgage payment.

Sources & methodology

  • Median home value, real estate taxes, gross rent and population for North Laurel, US Census Bureau, American Community Survey ACS 2023 5-Year, place-level tables.
  • Homeowners insurance, NAIC average premium for Maryland.
  • Electricity price, EIA Electric Power Monthly Table 5.6.A.
  • Mortgage rate, Freddie Mac PMMS, refreshed weekly.
  • Maintenance (1%/yr) and water and sewer ($68/mo) are national estimates. Every assumption above is editable.

Full methodology