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Texas Property Tax Calculator

Calculate your annual Texas property tax by county, compare rates across 8 major counties, and see how homestead, over-65, and disabled veteran exemptions can lower your bill.

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Appraised or market value of your home
Tax rates vary significantly by county

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How to Use This Calculator

Annual Tax tab

Enter your home value (appraised or market value) and select your Texas county from the dropdown. The calculator applies the county's effective property tax rate and shows your estimated annual property tax, monthly escrow amount, and how your home compares to the county median.

County Comparison tab

See all 8 major Texas counties ranked by effective tax rate, with median home values and median annual tax bills. Use this tab to understand how location affects your property tax — the difference between the lowest-rate county (Travis at 1.68%) and the highest (Fort Bend at 2.27%) is significant, especially on higher-value homes.

Exemptions & Savings tab

Check which exemptions apply to you — homestead (available to all primary-residence owners), over-65 or disabled (additional school tax reduction plus a tax ceiling freeze), and disabled veteran (partial or full exemption based on VA rating). The calculator shows your tax before and after exemptions and the annual dollar savings.

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The Formula

Texas property tax is calculated as a percentage of your home's appraised value, minus any applicable exemptions:

Annual Property Tax = (Appraised Value − Exemptions) × Tax Rate

Where:
  Appraised Value = county appraisal district's assessed market value
  Tax Rate = combined rate from school district + city + county + special districts
  Homestead Exemption = $140,000 off school district taxable value (SB 4 / Prop 13, 2026)
  Over-65 Exemption = additional $60,000 off school district + tax ceiling freeze (SB 4 / Prop 13, 2026)

Monthly Escrow = Annual Property Tax ÷ 12

Texas has NO state income tax, which means property taxes are the primary funding mechanism for local government services. The statewide average effective rate is approximately 1.60–1.80%, but rates vary significantly by county and taxing jurisdiction.

Key Fact

Texas has no state income tax but compensates with some of the highest property taxes in the nation — ranked 6th highest among all 50 states. The homestead exemption was raised to $140,000 in 2026 (SB 4 / Proposition 13, approved by voters November 2025), up from $100,000. The over-65/disabled additional exemption increased to $60,000, giving seniors a combined $200,000 reduction in school taxable value — the largest property tax relief in Texas history.

Example

Maria — Homeowner in Harris County, TX

Maria owns a $450,000 home in Harris County. She wants to see her property tax with and without the homestead exemption.

Without exemptions

Home value$450,000
Harris County effective rate2.03%
Annual property tax$9,135/yr
Monthly escrow$761/mo

With homestead exemption

Home value$450,000
Homestead exemption (school taxes)−$140,000
School taxable value$310,000
Calculation($450K − $140K) × 2.03%
Annual property tax (approx.)$6,293/yr
Annual savings$2,842/yr

By filing for the homestead exemption — a free, one-time application to the Harris County Appraisal District — Maria saves approximately $2,842 every year. That is $237 less per month in escrow.

FAQ

Texas property taxes are calculated by multiplying your home's appraised value (minus any exemptions) by your local tax rate. The tax rate is a combination of rates set by each taxing entity: school districts, cities, counties, and special districts (MUDs, hospital districts, etc.). County appraisal districts determine your home's market value as of January 1 each year. Average effective rates range from 1.68% in Travis County to 2.27% in Fort Bend County.
The Texas homestead exemption reduces the taxable value of your primary residence by $140,000 for school district taxes (effective 2026, via SB 4 / Proposition 13 approved by voters November 2025). This was raised from $100,000 (which itself was raised from $40,000 in 2023). You must own and occupy the home as your primary residence on January 1 to qualify. Apply through your county appraisal district; the exemption stays in effect until you sell or move.
Texas is one of nine states with no state income tax (enshrined in the state constitution). To fund public schools, roads, emergency services, and local infrastructure, Texas relies heavily on property taxes and sales taxes. This results in Texas having the 6th-highest effective property tax rate in the nation. However, the total tax burden (combining property, sales, and income taxes) in Texas is comparable to many states that levy income taxes.
File a notice of protest with your county appraisal review board (ARB) by May 15 or within 30 days of receiving your appraisal notice, whichever is later. Gather evidence: comparable home sales, photos of property condition issues, independent appraisals, or any errors in the property description (wrong square footage, etc.). You will have an informal hearing with an appraiser first, then a formal ARB hearing if no agreement is reached. Success rates typically range from 50 to 70%, and many homeowners save hundreds to thousands annually.
Texas homeowners 65 or older receive: an additional $60,000 exemption on school district taxes (on top of the $140,000 homestead exemption, for a combined $200,000 reduction), a mandatory tax ceiling (freeze) on school district taxes so they never increase unless you improve the property, and optional tax ceilings from cities and counties that choose to offer them. Surviving spouses aged 55 or older can retain the tax ceiling. The same benefits apply to homeowners who are disabled. The over-65 exemption was raised from $10,000 to $60,000 by SB 4 / Proposition 13 (effective 2026).

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