What Does an Acre of Land Cost in Maryland in 2026?

Maryland’s land market spans D.C.-adjacent infill opportunities, fast-growing suburban corridors, Chesapeake Bay shorelines, and large rural tracts on the Eastern Shore and in Western Maryland. As a result, the value of one acre can swing widely based on what you can build, what’s nearby, and how quickly the surrounding area is changing. In broad statewide terms, Maryland’s planning data shows average per-acre pricing commonly falls into three rough bands: Maryland Department of Planning reports ranges that often look like $15,000 to $30,000+ per acre near Washington, D.C. or Baltimore, $5,000 to $15,000 per acre in secondary growth areas, and under $5,000 per acre for agricultural-use lands farther from major metros.

To estimate what an acre is worth for a specific parcel, you need more than a statewide average. The practical approach is to combine market comps with zoning, utilities, access, and county-level growth signals—including recent assessment trends that can affect ownership costs and future resale expectations.

Overview of Land Valuation Factors in Maryland

Buyers and investors typically price Maryland land by translating “what the land is” into “what the land can do.” The most common value drivers include:

Development prospects (zoning and entitlement)

Zoning, comprehensive plans, overlay districts, and environmental constraints determine whether land supports residential density, commercial uses, subdivision potential, or only limited improvements. Parcels with clear by-right uses and feasible entitlement pathways usually command higher per-acre pricing.

Utility proximity and site readiness

Access to public water/sewer, electric, and broadband can change the economics of a build. Land that already has infrastructure nearby (or has realistic connection options) often prices higher than similar acreage that requires wells, septic, extensions, or major site work.

Transportation access and frontage

Frontage on highways, strong local road access, and proximity to employment centers can lift land values—especially for commercial pads, light industrial, and commuter-friendly residential development.

Recreation and lifestyle appeal

Water access, hunting potential, trails, and nearby destinations can create “lifestyle premiums,” particularly on the Eastern Shore, along the Bay and its tributaries, and around mountain recreation areas.

Surrounding growth and scarcity

New construction, population inflows, and limited buildable inventory can push up land values. Reviewing nearby sales, active listings, and planned infrastructure helps explain why two parcels with similar acreage can trade at very different prices.

Parcel size, configuration, and usability

Bigger contiguous tracts can command premiums for assemblage or multi-lot potential, while irregular shapes, wetlands, floodplain exposure, or access limitations can reduce effective “usable acres” and the price buyers will pay.

Statewide Maryland Land Values: A Useful Baseline (Not the Final Answer)

Statewide averages can help you sanity-check pricing, but they rarely reflect what buyers will actually pay in a specific county or micro-market. For example, the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service reported Maryland farmland values averaging $8,800 per acre as of 2020, with meaningful variation by region, soil quality, and proximity to development pressure. In practice, prime Central Maryland cropland can trade higher, while lower-grade tracts in more rural areas may price notably less—unless recreation, waterfront, or future conversion potential changes the math.

What’s Driving Per-Acre Pricing Differences Across Maryland

Metro proximity (Washington–Baltimore corridor influence)

Counties closer to D.C. and Baltimore often price higher per acre because land can support higher-density residential demand, commercial activity, or future redevelopment. Even when a parcel is currently vacant, nearby job centers and infrastructure tend to raise what buyers are willing to pay.

County-by-county market behavior

“Maryland land” is not a single market. Local supply, zoning posture, and buyer mix (builders, farmers, conservation buyers, recreational buyers) can shift pricing quickly—even between neighboring counties.

Waterfront and coastal premiums

Shoreline parcels along the Chesapeake Bay and tidal rivers frequently trade at steep premiums due to scarcity and lifestyle demand, particularly when buildability, views, and access are strong.

Infrastructure and improvement potential

Utilities, drainage, prior percolation/septic approvals, existing driveways, and clear title history can materially improve a parcel’s marketability and price per acre.

Live Market Snapshot: Dorchester County (Eastern Shore Example)

Dorchester County illustrates why current, county-specific data matters—especially for buyers comparing farmland, timber, and recreational tracts on the Eastern Shore. According to Land.com, the median price per acre in Dorchester County, MD is $16,864. The same dataset shows the average lot size of land listings is 41.6 acres and there are 914 total acres of land for sale in the county’s active listings (Land.com).

Those figures highlight three practical realities for land buyers:

• Per-acre pricing can be relatively strong even outside the immediate D.C.–Baltimore orbit when water access, hunting, and tract size drive demand.
• Typical listing sizes shape negotiations; when the market leans toward 40+ acre tracts, buyers often underwrite for stewardship, recreation, or long-hold strategies—not just immediate development.
• Active inventory (acres for sale) affects leverage; total acres on the market can influence how aggressively buyers bid and how sellers price for scarcity.

Central Maryland Demand Signals: Listing Value and Available Acreage

If you’re evaluating land closer to the state’s core employment centers, Central Maryland market activity can provide additional context on buyer competition and pricing pressure. LandWatch reports over $913 million of rural land listings for sale in Maryland’s Central region and over 8,000 acres of rural land for sale in the same region (according to LandWatch). High total listing value alongside substantial acreage suggests an active, high-dollar marketplace where location, entitlement, and site readiness can create major per-acre swings.

Top Maryland Counties to Watch for Long-Term Appreciation

Recent demand patterns often favor counties that combine employment access, limited land supply, and durable quality-of-life draw. Investors commonly focus on:

• Montgomery County (D.C. proximity and sustained housing demand)
• Howard County (positioned between D.C. and Baltimore with steady development activity)
• Queen Anne’s County (Eastern Shore access and Bay Bridge corridor growth)

Queen Anne’s County also shows clear momentum in recent assessment data: residential property values in the county increased 16.1% in the 2026 reassessment, according to the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation. While assessments are not the same as sale prices, sharp assessment increases often align with broader demand and rising market expectations—factors that can support land appreciation over time.

How 2026 Assessment Trends Can Affect Land Buyers (Costs and Strategy)

Land buyers often focus on purchase price and future use, but property taxes can materially affect long-term carrying costs—especially for hold strategies. Maryland’s latest reassessment reporting points to notable upward pressure in values and assessments statewide:

• The statewide average increase in property tax assessments for 2026 is 12.7% (per the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation).
• The average increase in value for residential properties in the 2026 Group 2 reassessment is 13.2% (per the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation).
• The average increase in value for commercial properties in the 2026 Group 2 reassessment is 11% (per the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation).
• 92.7% of Group 2 residential properties experienced an increase in value for the 2026 reassessment (per the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation).

For buyers, these trends reinforce a simple takeaway: underwriting should include realistic tax scenarios, not just today’s bill. Rising assessments can change the break-even horizon on recreational land, transitional farmland, and land held for future development.

Benefits of Buying Land in Maryland

Potential for appreciation in constrained, high-demand corridors

Maryland continues to benefit from strong job access along the I-95 and I-270 corridors, proximity to Washington, D.C., and limited buildable supply in many desirable submarkets. When demand outpaces available inventory—especially near utilities and transportation—land values can rise faster than statewide averages suggest.

Diverse use cases: development, agriculture, recreation, and legacy ownership

Few states offer Maryland’s mix of dense metro adjacency, productive farmland, extensive tidal waterfront, and mountain recreation—creating multiple “buyer pools” that can support liquidity and long-term value depending on the parcel.

Lifestyle and locational advantages

From Chesapeake Bay boating and Eastern Shore hunting properties to commuter-friendly suburbs and Western Maryland retreats, buyers can match land purchases to both investment goals and lifestyle priorities without leaving the state.

Key Takeaways for Maryland Land Buyers

• Expect wide per-acre variation across Maryland; zoning, utilities, access, and nearby growth often matter more than acreage alone.
• Use county-specific market snapshots to ground your pricing expectations—Dorchester County, for example, shows a median of $16,864 per acre with an average listing size of 41.6 acres and 914 acres for sale (according to Land.com).
• Track regional demand signals—Central Maryland currently shows over $913 million in rural land listings and over 8,000 acres for sale (according to LandWatch).
• Plan for carrying costs: Maryland’s 2026 reassessment data shows broad-based increases, including a 12.7% statewide average assessment increase and value increases across most Group 2 residential properties (per the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation).

Final Thoughts

One acre of land in Maryland can be worth a few thousand dollars in remote agricultural contexts or well into the tens of thousands near major metros, high-demand suburbs, or premium waterfront. The fastest path to a reliable estimate is to combine comparable sales with a disciplined review of zoning, utilities, access, site constraints, and neighborhood growth—then validate your assumptions against current county-level listing data and the state’s latest assessment trends. With rigorous due diligence, buyers can avoid overpaying and still secure land that fits their long-term development, recreation, or investment goals across Maryland’s diverse geography.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What are typical per-acre prices for Maryland wooded land?

Wooded land often prices lower than build-ready parcels, but premiums can appear near growing communities or where hunting, conservation value, and access are strong. Always confirm road access, timber value, wetlands/floodplain exposure, and any restrictions that limit improvements.

What about former or current farmland?

Farmland values depend heavily on soil quality, drainage, parcel efficiency, and future conversion potential. Transitional farmland near expanding suburbs can price significantly higher than similar acreage farther from utilities and growth pressure.

How do mineral rights impact Maryland land value?

Severed mineral rights or active extraction potential can affect financing, use limitations, and long-term upside. Review deed history and consult local professionals to understand what transfers with the land.

What signals strong residential or commercial development potential?

Clear zoning allowances, feasible utility connections, favorable access/visibility, and alignment with county planning priorities generally support stronger development potential. Confirm constraints such as setbacks, easements, critical area rules, and environmental buffers early.

What land features typically command premiums in Maryland?

Waterfront access, strong buildability, large contiguous acreage, high-quality soils, established improvements (like driveway, well/septic approvals, or fencing), and proximity to growing communities often increase what buyers will pay per acre.

What are common risks that cause buyers to overpay?

Overpaying often stems from misreading zoning, underestimating sitework and utility costs, ignoring easements or conservation restrictions, overlooking drainage/floodplain limitations, or failing to validate assumptions with local comps and title review.