City profile
Laurel, MD
Howard County · Population 29,798
Laurel is a town in Howard County, MD with about 29,798 residents and a typical home value near $386,000. It is 7 miles from Bowie, MD, which shapes its climate, healthcare access and amenities.
Climate
Climate type
Four seasons
Winter avg
34°F
Summer avg
79°F
Sunny days / yr
210
Home prices & cost of living
Median home price
$385,500
Typical monthly housing
$2,415
Cost of living (100 = U.S.)
110
Taxes
- Property tax
- 1.00%
- State income tax (top)
- 6.5%
- Social Security
- Not taxed
- Pensions
- Partly exempt
- Sales tax (state + avg. local)
- 6.00%
FEMA natural hazard risk
Relatively Moderate · county score 93/100
Top hazards: Winter weather, Lightning, Heat wave
Nearest major airport
12 mi to Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI)
Political lean (2024 county vote)
Leans Democratic · 69% Democratic / 27% Republican
Community
Population
29,798
Black population
53.8%
County
Howard County
Detailed crime figures are available for our 201 hand-researched cities.
2025–2026 trends
2026 market trends
- ▸Home prices are still rising in 2026 — good for long-term value, less room to negotiate
- ▸Climate/cost risks to check: coastal flooding
Highlights
- About 29,798 residents
- Typical home value about $386,000
- 7 miles from Bowie, MD
Trade-offs
- Scores for this place are estimated from Census data and the nearest major city
Figures are estimates from public sources (see How we match). Verify before making decisions.