Texas property tax rates vary dramatically depending on where you live — from under 1% in parts of East Texas to over 1.7% in the Rio Grande Valley and El Paso. This guide breaks down effective property tax rates for every major Texas county and city, explains why the differences are so large, and shows what you can actually do if your rate — or your assessed value — looks too high.
Texas has no state income tax, which pushes the funding burden for schools, cities, and counties onto local property taxes. The result: Texas has one of the highest average effective property tax rates in the country — but the exact rate you pay depends entirely on your specific county, city, school district, and any special districts layered on top.
Most Texas homeowners pay an effective property tax rate of roughly 2%–2.5% of their home's market value once school district, county, city, and special district rates are combined — well above the national average of under 1%. These are last-known (2025) rates; each taxing unit sets its rate for the following year between August and September, so 2026 rates are not final until fall 2026.
The table below shows effective property tax rates — the actual percentage of a home's value paid in property taxes — for major Texas counties, based on median home values and typical annual tax payments. Effective rates differ from a county's nominal or "headline" tax rate because they account for exemptions, appraisal practices, and the mix of taxing entities layered within each county.
Rates below are last-known (2025) figures. Your county's 2026 rate will not be certified until this fall — check Texas's Property Tax Transparency portal for your specific county's current and historical rates.
| County | Median Home Value | Median Annual Tax | Effective Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kaufman County | $341,800 | $5,948 | 1.74% |
| El Paso County | $209,100 | $3,625 | 1.73% |
| Webb County | $207,100 | $3,586 | 1.73% |
| Fort Bend County | $408,100 | $6,716 | 1.65% |
| Brazoria County | $321,600 | $5,195 | 1.62% |
| Hays County | $434,400 | $6,859 | 1.58% |
| Bexar County (San Antonio) | $284,400 | $4,381 | 1.54% |
| Williamson County | $464,900 | $6,916 | 1.49% |
| Tarrant County (Fort Worth) | $351,900 | $5,162 | 1.47% |
| Harris County (Houston) | $301,700 | $4,416 | 1.46% |
| Hidalgo County | $164,200 | $2,402 | 1.46% |
| Denton County | $473,500 | $6,790 | 1.43% |
| Dallas County | $330,500 | $4,649 | 1.41% |
| Montgomery County | $363,200 | $4,985 | 1.37% |
| Travis County (Austin) | $545,700 | $7,319 | 1.34% |
| Galveston County | $345,100 | $4,638 | 1.34% |
| Collin County | $543,800 | $7,143 | 1.31% |
| Comal County | $445,000 | $4,710 | 1.06% |
Figures reflect median home values and effective property tax rates based on publicly available county-level data; actual rates vary by city, school district, and special districts within each county. Confirm current rates with your county appraisal district before making financial decisions.
Because Texas property taxes are set locally, the rate you pay depends heavily on your specific city and school district — not just your county. Here's how the state's largest metro areas compare:
Home to one of the largest appraisal districts in the country. See our Houston property tax attorney page for local guidance.
Rates vary meaningfully between Dallas ISD and surrounding suburban school districts within the county.
Austin's high median home values mean a moderate rate still produces one of the largest average tax bills in the state.
Many areas of Bexar County carry an additional levy for Emergency Services Districts, pushing effective rates higher.
Tarrant County's rate sits just above the statewide average, driven largely by school district tax rates.
One of the highest effective rates in the state — lower home values mean the percentage rate must be higher to fund the same services.
Many property owners assume their tax rate is fixed or set at the same time every year. In reality, Texas property taxes follow an annual cycle where values and rates are determined separately — and rates aren't finalized until months after most people expect.
| Timeframe | What Happens |
|---|---|
| April – May | Property values are appraised and Notices of Appraised Value are mailed to owners. |
| May – July | Protest filings and Appraisal Review Board hearings are conducted. |
| Late July | Appraisal rolls are certified for most counties. |
| August – September | Taxing jurisdictions adopt budgets and hold Truth-in-Taxation hearings. |
| By September 30 | Most jurisdictions adopt their final tax rate for the year. |
| October – December | Tax bills are generated and mailed to property owners. |
Most Texas property owners have never heard of a Truth-in-Taxation (TNT) hearing — but it's a public meeting every local taxing jurisdiction must hold before it can adopt its property tax rate for the year.
A Truth-in-Taxation hearing is a public hearing that a local taxing jurisdiction must hold before adopting its property tax rate. The purpose is to give taxpayers transparency about proposed tax increases and an opportunity to comment before the governing body votes.
These hearings typically happen in August or September, once appraisal rolls are certified and before the September 30 rate-adoption deadline. Attending — or at least reviewing the proposed rate beforehand — is one of the only ways a property owner can respond to a rate increase directly, separate from protesting your property's appraised value.
Your property tax bill is calculated by multiplying your taxable value (appraised value minus any exemptions) by the combined tax rate for every taxing unit that covers your property — school district, county, city, and any special districts.
Your county appraisal district estimates your property's market value as of January 1st each year.
The 2026 general homestead exemption removes $140,000 from your school district taxable value. See our exemptions guide.
Each taxing unit's rate is applied to your taxable value and the totals are combined into your final bill.
Use our property tax calculator to estimate your bill, or file a property tax protest if your value looks too high.
A high effective rate in your county is largely outside your control — but your assessed value is not. The most effective way to lower your actual tax bill, regardless of your county's rate, is to make sure your property isn't over-appraised relative to its true market value or similar nearby properties.
For the complete strategy, see our guide on how to reduce property taxes in Texas.
Your county's tax rate is fixed, but your assessed value doesn't have to be. PropertyTaxes.Law helps Texas property owners challenge over-appraised assessments — attorney-backed, no upfront cost.
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