Houston, TX Property Tax Calculator
Estimate property tax for a home in Houston, TX. Homes in Houston are assessed by Harris County, where the effective property tax rate runs about 1.46% of market value — so a median-priced Houston home of $275,000 generates roughly $4,015 in annual property tax. Enter your specific home value below for a custom estimate.
Annual Tax
$4,015
1.46% of $275,000
Monthly Tax
$335
Typically escrowed with your mortgage
State Rank
#7 of 51
Highest rate = #1
vs. National Average
Highest property tax states
- New Jersey2.49%
- Illinois2.23%
- New Hampshire2.18%
- Connecticut2.15%
- Vermont1.90%
Lowest property tax states
- Hawaii0.32%
- Alabama0.41%
- Colorado0.55%
- Louisiana0.56%
- District of Columbia0.57%
These are state-level averages. Individual counties and cities can vary significantly — a home in Austin's urban core may have a far higher effective rate than the Texas state average, for example. For the most accurate estimate, get the exact millage rate from your county assessor and override the rate field above.
How to use it
A two-minute guide.
The Home Value field is pre-filled with Houston's median home value of $275,000. Override with your actual home's market value for a specific estimate — your tax bill scales linearly with home value.
The rate is pre-filled with Harris County's effective rate of 1.46% — the county-level average for owner-occupied homes, which is more precise than Texas's statewide average of 1.80%. Individual school districts and special taxing zones within Houston still shift the exact figure — if you know the rate from your latest tax bill, override it for the most precise estimate.
You'll see your estimated annual property tax, the monthly amount (which is typically escrowed with your mortgage payment), and a comparison to other states.
How it works
The math behind the result.
How Houston's tax bill works out. Homes in Houston are assessed and billed through Harris County. The effective rate there averages about 1.46% of market value — below Texas's statewide average of 1.80%. On Houston's median home value of $275,000, that's approximately $4,015/year, or $335/month when escrowed with your mortgage.
How assessment works in Texas. Homes are appraised at full market value each January 1 by the county appraisal district. For homesteads, the appraised value used for taxes can't rise more than 10% per year.
Exemptions worth claiming. The Texas homestead exemption removes $100,000 of value from school-district taxes on your primary residence, with extra exemptions for homeowners 65+ and disabled veterans. Exemptions are the most common reason two identical Houston homes pay different tax bills — make sure yours are on file with Harris County.
What property tax actually pays for. In Houston — like the rest of Texas — property tax funds local schools, public safety (police, fire), road maintenance, parks, libraries, and county government. Most of your bill stays in your county and school district.
Comparing to other states. Effective rates vary enormously across the US — from about 0.3% in Hawaii to nearly 2.5% in New Jersey. Houston's 1.46% puts it in the upper third nationally.
Questions
Frequently asked.
Buying in Houston? Estimate your full mortgage payment with our Houston Mortgage Calculator. Or see how Texas property tax rates compare across the state with our Texas Property Tax Calculator.
Nearby & related
Property tax in other Texas cities
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