Cost to Own
United StatesMarylandWashington CountySmithsburg Population 3,069 Data vintage ACS 2023 5-Year Rates updated 2026-07-30

Total monthly cost of ownership

Cost to Own a Home in Smithsburg, Maryland

A $318,000 home here costs

$2,477

per month, all in — with 20% down at today's 6.66% 30-year fixed rate.

A standard mortgage calculator would have told you $1,635. The real number is $842 higher every month — 51% more than the payment most buyers budget for.

Smithsburg median: $317,600
Under 20% adds PMI
Freddie Mac PMMS
US 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, $254,400 borrowed $1,635
Property tax0.882% effective rate for Smithsburg itself $234
Homeowners insuranceMaryland averages $1,238/yr (NAIC), or 0.3% of home value $80
Electricity21.77¢/kWh — Maryland residential average, EIA $196
Water, sewer & trashUS household average $68
Maintenance reserve1% of home value per year $265
Total monthly $2,477

Smithsburg against Washington County and Maryland

MeasureSmithsburgWashington County
Median home value$317,600$275,900
Median property tax$2,801$2,444
Effective tax rate0.882%0.886%
Median gross rent$899$1,100
Population3,069155,033

The weather behind that power bill

Smithsburg sits in Washington County, which averages a high of 87.3°F in its hottest month and a low of 25.3°F in its coldest, with 35.6" of precipitation a year and 29% of it in a single three-month stretch. That climate drives 1,248 cooling and 4,716 heating degree days, which is what sets the $196 electricity line above.

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

Other cities in Washington County

Full Washington County cost breakdown · Every county in Maryland

Common questions

How much does it cost to own a home in Smithsburg?

A $318,000 home in Smithsburg, Maryland costs approximately $2,477 per month with 20% down at 6.66%. That is $1,635 principal and interest, $234 property tax, $80 homeowners insurance, $264 utilities and $265 set aside for maintenance.

What is the property tax rate in Smithsburg?

Smithsburg has an effective property tax rate of 0.882%, based on a median home value of $317,600 and median real estate taxes of $2,801. That is in line with the Washington County average of 0.886%.

What is the average home price in Smithsburg?

The median owner-occupied home value in Smithsburg, Maryland is $317,600, against $275,900 across Washington County.

Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Smithsburg?

Median gross rent in Smithsburg is $899 a month, against $2,477 to own the median home all in. Renting costs less month to month here, though renting builds no equity.

Sources & methodology

  • Median home value, real estate taxes, gross rent and population for Smithsburg — 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