countyscore
57
County Score
Schools 89.8Income & Jobs 86.4Health 79.8

County Report Card

About Talbot County, Maryland

High ranking on national scales

Talbot County's composite score of 56.9 is significantly higher than the national median of 50.0. It ranks among the top tier of counties in the U.S. for its combined lifestyle metrics.

Leading the way in Maryland

The county's score of 56.9 easily clears the state average of 47.4. This performance cements Talbot as one of the most desirable places to live in Maryland.

Premier schools and low taxes

Education is a major draw with a School Score of 89.8, while the Tax Score of 67.8 reflects a low effective tax rate of 0.658%. High health outcomes also contribute to its high ranking with a score of 79.8.

Water quality and housing costs

The Water Score is low at 32.1, and the Cost Score of 10.3 indicates that housing is quite expensive for most. Median home values hover around $398,300, making entry difficult for lower-income families.

Perfect for education-minded homeowners

Talbot is ideal for families who value elite public schools and a favorable tax climate. It suits those looking for a high-quality community with strong health services and stable incomes.

2040608010066.711.747.779.889.886.457.732.168.5Tax66.7Cost11.7Safety47.7Health79.8Schools89.8Income86.4Risk57.7Water32.1Weather68.557/100
This county
National avg
6 above average2 below average

Talbot County DNA

Foverall

How Talbot County compares to the national average across nine baseline dimensions

Talbot County scores above average across most dimensions. It's a well-balanced county with particular strength in Schools (89.8/100).

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
66.7+14.700000000000003
Cost
11.7-36.3
Safety
47.7
Health
79.8+29.799999999999997
Schools
89.8+35.8
Income
86.4+35.400000000000006
Risk
57.7+10.700000000000003
Water
32.1-25.9
Weather
68.5+12.5
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Compare mortgage rates in Talbot County

Whether buying or refinancing in Talbot County, compare rates from top lenders to find the best deal.

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$409,700

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$1,256/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$409,700/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$50,240/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum4.8x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $84,811/yr
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Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

18.6

per 100K

Data from Federal Reserve (FRED), U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, and CMS NPPES.

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncome & Jobsincomebycounty.comSafetycrimebycounty.comHealthhealthbycounty.comSchoolsschoolsbycounty.comDisaster Riskriskbycounty.comWater Qualitywaterbycounty.comWeather & Climateweatherbycounty.comSoil Qualitysoilbycounty.comLawn Carelawnbycounty.comFarmers Marketsmarketsbycounty.comView on Mapcountyscore.com/map
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Counties with similar scores

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Phillips County
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Bath County
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Atkinson County
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Median income: $42,347
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Camas County
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Median income: $57,955
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Lawrence County
Indiana
Median income: $66,468
56.9

Nearby counties

Queen Anne's County
Maryland
58.8
Caroline County
Maryland
42
Calvert County
Maryland
59.1
Dorchester County
Maryland
46.1
Anne Arundel County
Maryland
45.3
Kent County
Maryland
53.2
Prince George's County
Maryland
32.4
Wicomico County
Maryland
39.5

Deep Dives

Talbot County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 9 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Talbot County

via TaxByCounty

Talbot boasts Maryland's lowest tax rate

Talbot County's 0.658% effective rate ranks among the nation's lowest, falling in the 15th percentile nationwide. Despite a median home value of $398,300—well above the national median of $281,900—this favorable rate keeps tax bills surprisingly affordable.

Lowest rate in all Maryland

At 0.658%, Talbot County has Maryland's lowest effective tax rate, nearly 30% below the state average of 0.957%. This distinction makes Talbot a standout choice for tax-conscious homeowners in Maryland.

Beats every comparable county

Talbot's 0.658% rate demolishes Queen Anne's (0.793%), Worcester County (0.755%), and Wicomico County (0.887%). At $2,623 annually, the median tax is lowest among the Eastern Shore's premium-home-value counties, delivering substantial savings.

Just $2,623 on a premium home

The median Talbot County home, valued at $398,300, generates an annual tax bill of only about $2,623. Over 30 years, that totals roughly $78,700—a significant savings compared to higher-tax Maryland counties.

Even low rates warrant checking

Talbot's low rate doesn't shield homeowners from overassessment—still 15–20% of properties are taxed on inflated values. A quick assessment review could yield hundreds more in annual savings.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Talbot County

via IncomeByCounty

Talbot beats national income average

Talbot County's median household income of $84,378 is 13% above the U.S. median of $74,755, reflecting a prosperous Eastern Shore community. This places Talbot in the upper half of American counties by household income.

Solid middle of Maryland pack

Talbot ranks in Maryland's middle tier with a median income 10% below the state average of $94,152. The county trails higher-income peers like Queen Anne's and St. Mary's, but significantly outpaces struggling counties like Somerset.

Outearns most Eastern Shore peers

Talbot's $84,378 median income leads Somerset County ($52,462) by a substantial margin, though it trails Worcester County ($81,455) slightly and Queen Anne's ($113,347) significantly. The county's tourism and waterfront economy support higher incomes than traditional agricultural peers.

Rents stay well within budget

Talbot's 17.8% rent-to-income ratio is among Maryland's most favorable, providing substantial breathing room in household budgets. The median home value of $398,300 aligns well with median household income, supporting both renting and homeownership.

Invest in Talbot's future

Talbot households have solid capacity to build investment portfolios and fund long-term goals like college savings and retirement. Consider directing savings surplus toward tax-advantaged accounts, real estate investments, or small business ventures that align with the county's growing tourism economy.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Talbot County

via CrimeByCounty

Talbot County Outperforms National Safety Stats

Talbot County's total crime rate of 1173.5 per 100K is less than half the national average of 2385.5. This translates to a high safety score of 98.1 for the region.

Measuring Talbot Against Maryland Safety Standards

The county's safety score of 98.1 is significantly better than the Maryland state average of 97.4. Five reporting agencies provide consistent data confirming this safe environment.

Comparing Talbot to Mid-Shore Neighbors

Talbot's crime rate of 1173.5 per 100K is higher than Queen Anne's 802.9 but remains much lower than the state average of 1638.3. It remains one of the safer options on the Shore.

Understanding Violent and Property Crime Splits

Violent crime is minimal at 164.6 per 100K, far below the national average of 369.8. Property crime is the primary concern at 1008.9 per 100K residents.

Proactive Security for Talbot County Homes

With property crime recorded at 1008.9 per 100K, residents should ensure their homes are well-lit at night. Quality deadbolts and window locks are effective deterrents against theft.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Talbot County

via WeatherByCounty

Warmest Median Temperatures

Talbot County's 58.0°F average is significantly higher than the national median temperature. It is a wet region, receiving 47.6 inches of precipitation annually.

Much Warmer than the State

The county exceeds the Maryland state average of 55.9°F by over two degrees. It is also wetter than the statewide average of 45.7 inches of precipitation.

Warmer than Queen Anne's

Talbot is the warmest county in its immediate region, edging out Queen Anne's 57.1°F average. It shares a similar extreme heat profile with 32 days over 90°F.

The State's Mildest Winters

January averages a relatively high 36.9°F with only 14.1 inches of snow. July is hot and humid, averaging 79.1°F and 32 days of extreme heat.

Invest in High-Performance Cooling

Prepare for long, humid summers and very manageable winters. With 32 days of extreme heat, ensuring your home stays cool is the top climate priority.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Talbot County

via SoilByCounty

Top-tier agricultural soil in Talbot

Talbot County earns a high soil score of 75.5, reflecting its superior quality for growing. Its average pH of 5.52 is better than the state average but remains below the 6.5 national median.

Equal parts sand and silt balance

The soil is remarkably balanced with 35.7% sand and 35.5% silt. This combination, paired with just 9.3% clay, creates a friable soil that is easy to cultivate and promotes healthy root growth.

High water capacity supports lush crops

The soil holds a high 13.42% organic matter, well above the 9.10% state average. An available water capacity of 0.212 in/in means this soil is excellent at storing moisture for plants during the summer heat.

Efficient nutrient cycling for farmers

Although specific drainage classes are not listed, the high soil score and organic content indicate a very healthy hydrologic environment. These soils are prized for their ability to retain nutrients while preventing waterlogging.

Bountiful harvests in Hardiness Zone 8a

The warm Zone 8a climate combined with rich soil makes Talbot a premier spot for gardening. From specialty flowers to heavy-feeding vegetables, almost anything will thrive in this fertile ground.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Talbot County

via LawnByCounty

Above Average Ease on the Bay

With a score of 57.8, Talbot County is a relatively easy place to maintain a healthy lawn compared to the national median of 50.0. This Zone 8a region benefits from a temperate maritime influence that protects against extreme cold.

High Growth Potential and Rainfall

The county records 4342 growing degree days, the highest in this set, meaning grass grows rapidly in the 47.6 inches of annual rain. Prepare to mow frequently during the peak spring and fall growing surges.

Managing Acidity in Silt Soils

The soil pH of 5.52 is below the 6.0 threshold, which can limit the effectiveness of your fertilizer. With only 9.3% clay, the soil is less likely to compact, but it still requires aeration to ensure oxygen reaches the roots.

Moderate Drought Resistance in Talbot

The county only experienced 12 weeks of drought over the past year, and less than half the county is currently abnormally dry. This makes Talbot one of the most water-stable counties for lawn enthusiasts in the region.

Seize the Long Growing Season

The frost-free window begins April 1 and lasts until November 7, providing a long period for lawn establishment. Heat-tolerant Fescue or Zoysia grasses are ideal for the 79.1°F July average.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Talbot County's county score?
Talbot County, Maryland has a composite county score of 57 out of 100 on CountyScore. This score is calculated from a weighted average of available data dimensions including property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools.
How does Talbot County rank among counties in Maryland?
Talbot County ranks #5 among all counties in Maryland on CountyScore's composite ranking. Rankings are based on available data dimensions and updated as new data is added.
What are property taxes like in Talbot County, Maryland?
The median annual property tax in Talbot County is $2,647, with an effective tax rate of 0.65%. This earns Talbot County a tax score of 66.7/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Talbot County?
The median household income in Talbot County, Maryland is $84,811 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Talbot County earns an income score of 86.4/100 on CountyScore.
Is Talbot County, Maryland a good place to live?
Talbot County scores 57/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #5 in Maryland. The best way to evaluate Talbot County is to compare individual dimension scores — property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools — based on your personal priorities. Use CountyScore to compare Talbot County with other counties side by side.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

ByCounty Network

Property TaxCost of LivingIncome & JobsSafetyHealthSchoolsDisaster RiskWater QualityWeather & ClimateSoil QualityLawn CareFarmers Markets

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS, NOAA — informational only.