Overview of Texas Taxes
Texas has some of the highest property taxes in the U.S. The effective property tax rate in the Lone Star State is 1.31%, well above the national average of 0.89%.
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To calculate the exact amount of property tax you will owe requires your property's assessed value and the property tax rates based on your property's address. Please note that we can only estimate your property tax based on median property taxes in your area. There are typically multiple rates in a given area, because your state, county, local schools and emergency responders each receive funding partly through these taxes. In our calculator, we take your home value and multiply that by your county's effective property tax rate. This is equal to the median property tax paid as a percentage of the median home value in your county.
Texas Property Taxes
Property tax rates in Texas are the eighth-highest in the U.S., as the average effective property tax rate in the Lone Star State is 1.31%. Compare that to the national average, which currently stands at 0.89%. The typical Texas homeowner pays $4,108 annually in property taxes, which is 13th highest in the nation.
These taxes are the primary source of revenue for local governments, and fund local services like schools, water systems and law enforcement. In total, there are around 4,000 local entities that can collect property taxes in Texas. That includes every city, county and school district.
For more information on the housing market in Texas, check out our comprehensive mortgage guide, which provides details about rates and getting a mortgage in Texas.
A financial advisor can help you understand how homeownership fits into your overall financial goals. SmartAsset’s free tool matches you with vetted financial advisors who serve your area, and you can have a free introductory call with your advisor matches to decide which one you feel is right for you. If you’re ready to find an advisor who can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now.
How Do Texas Property Taxes Work?
Residential property in Texas is appraised annually by county appraisal districts. The appraisal districts are responsible for determining the current market value of all property within the county, on which tax payments are based. Disagreements about any findings are brought to an appraisal review board made up of local citizens.
Homes are appraised at the beginning of the year, and appraisal review board hearings generally begin in May. Tax bills are sent out beginning on October 1, and are due by January 31 of the following year.
There are a number of exemptions that help lower your property taxes in Texas. The most common is the homestead exemption, which is available to homeowners in their primary residence. It exempts $140,000 ($150,000 for seniors) of a property’s value from taxation.
However, only school districts are required to offer this exemption (other types of taxing districts have the option of doing so). So if your home is worth $150,000 and you receive the homestead exemption, the school district tax rate will only apply to $10,000 of you home value.
Texas Property Tax Rates
Property tax rates in Texas are recalculated each year after appraisers have evaluated all the property in the county. They are calculated based on the total property value and total revenue need. In a given area, however, they typically do not change drastically year to year.
Texas levies property taxes as a percentage of each home’s appraised value. So, for example, if your total tax rate is 1.5%, and your home value is $100,000, you will owe $1,500 in annual property taxes.
In the table below, we look at each county’s effective tax rate, which is equal to the amount of property tax that homeowners actually pay as a percentage of their home’s value. The table also includes the average annual tax payment and average home value in the Texas counties with available data.
Looking to calculate your potential monthly mortgage payment? Check out our mortgage calculator.
Harris County
Harris County, which contains Houston and the surrounding suburbs, has some of the highest property taxes not just in Texas, but in the entire country. The effective property tax rate in Harris County is 1.46%, significantly higher than the national average.
Dallas County
Property tax rates in Dallas County are slightly lower than those in Harris County, but still significantly higher than the national average. The typical homeowner in Dallas County pays $4,649 annually in property taxes, and pays taxes at an effective rate of 1.41%. More than half of that tax goes to local schools.
If you have questions about how property taxes can affect your overall financial plans, a financial advisor in Dallas can help you out.
Tarrant County
Tarrant County sits west of Dallas and contains the cities of Fort Worth and Arlington. It has an effective rate of 1.47%. The median amount paid is $5,162 annually in taxes.
Bexar County
Bexar County has property taxes that are slightly higher than the state average. The typical homeowner in Bexar County pays $4,381 annually in property taxes on a median home value of $284,400.
Many areas of Bexar County are subject to a levy that pays for one of a dozen Emergency Services Districts.
Travis County
Travis County contains the state capital of Austin, as well as some of the surrounding cities and towns. The countywide property tax rate is 1.34%. In addition to that rate, cities and school districts levy their own rates.
El Paso County
El Paso County is in western Texas, bordering both Mexico and the state of New Mexico. The median homeowner in the county pays $2,086 annually in property taxes, significantly less than the national average. However, the median home value in El Paso County is significantly lower than the U.S. mark, which means county residents in fact pay higher property tax rates than most Americans. The effective property tax rate in El Paso County is 1.73%.
Collin County
The sixth-most populous county in Texas, Collin County has a property tax rate of 1.31%, with homeowners paying a median of $7,143 in real estate taxes. This is driven largely by the high rates used to fund local school districts. Homeowners in these areas should remember to claim the homestead exemption.
Hidalgo County
Hidalgo County sits in south Texas, along the Mexican border. The effective property tax rate in Hidalgo County is 1.46%. That makes the median property tax payment in the county $2,402, which is well below the statewide mark.
Denton County
Denton County is part of the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area, and sits north of those two cities. The median Denton County homeowner pays $6,790 annually in property taxes on a median home value of $473,500.
Fort Bend County
Fort Bend County is one of the largest counties in Texas. It also has one of the highest average property tax payments in the state. The typical homeowner in the county pays $6,716 each year in taxes, with an effective tax rate of 1.65%. These are both more than double national medians.
The high number of special tax districts in the county drive, in part, the high tax rates. Fort Bend County has more than 200 special districts that levy property taxes for specific purposes.
