Five of the Lowest Property Taxes in Texas by County in 2019 (2024)

FAQs

Which counties in Texas has the lowest property taxes? ›

Longview, about 130 miles east of Dallas, had the lowest property taxes in the state: Residents there paid an average of $2,084 a year on a typical home worth $201,036 in 2021, according to ATTOM's data.

King County collects the highest property tax in Texas, levying an average of $5,066.00 (1.56% of median home value) yearly in property taxes, while Terrell County has the lowest property tax in the state, collecting an average tax of $285.00 (0.67% of median home value) per year.

1. Hawaii. Hawaii residents enjoy the lowest property tax rate in the U.S. However, the high cost of living and limited housing opportunities make it a very expensive place to live.

The City of Stafford holds the unique distinction of being the largest city in Texas to abolish city property taxes. This includes both commercial and residential properties. In addition to a lack of city property taxes, the State of Texas has no state property taxes.

Cheyenne, Wyoming. While not an obvious candidate, Cheyenne, Wyoming tops the list of U.S. cities with the lowest tax rates. Cheyenne tax rates are low across the board, with an average 9.7% rate for lower-income families.

Houston cities/towns property tax rates

Southside Place, which has a combined total rate of 1.94 percent, has the lowest property tax rate in the Houston area and Galena Park, with a combined total rate of 3.02 percent, has the highest rate in the area.

Texas Property Taxes

Property taxes in Texas are the seventh-highest in the U.S., as the average effective property tax rate in the Lone Star State is 1.60%. Compare that to the national average, which currently stands at 0.99%. The typical Texas homeowner pays $3,797 annually in property taxes.

In 2020, the average American contributed 8.9% percent of their income in state taxes. Alaska had the lowest average overall tax burden – measured as total individual taxes paid divided by total personal income – at 5.4%, followed by Tennessee (6.3%), New Hampshire (6.4%), Wyoming (6.6%) and Florida (6.7%).

What state has no state tax? ›

As of 2023, eight states — Alaska, Florida, Nevada, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington and Wyoming — do not levy a state income tax. A ninth state, New Hampshire, does not tax earned income, but it does impose a 4% tax on dividends and interest.

Countries With No Property Tax: Monaco

Monaco is yet another tax haven based on its tax policies, and it does not levy taxes on individual income, capital gains, as well as net wealth.

Move to La Villa

If you're ready to build a home, some of that land could be yours. The city is offering free land to qualified new residents.

You may be aware that seniors can apply for an exemption from Texas property taxes. This is true: when you reach the age of 65, you can file an affidavit with the chief appraiser in your district to exempt yourself from the collection of taxes on your property.

In short, nobody gets to avoid Texas property taxes. Some homeowners are protected against the most drastic consequences of non-payment, but payment is always expected nonetheless. So the best you can do is look for a way to make paying property taxes more manageable.

MoneyGeek's analysis found that Wyoming is the most tax-friendly state in America, followed by Nevada, Tennessee, Florida and Alaska. States that received a grade of A all share something in common: no state income tax. Washington and South Dakota — which both received a B — also have no state income tax.

In Katy we see tax rates as low as 1.85% in G W Cartwright, 1.9% in Lake Pointe Estates, and 1.94% in Katy Crossing and Katy Lake Estates, and as high as 3.67% in Sunterra, 3.54% in Winward, and 3.53% in Camillo Lakes.

Texas's average property tax rate is . 56, but that number can vary depending on where you live. In Dallas, the city property tax rate for 2022 is . 7458.

Are property taxes higher in Houston or San Antonio? ›

At the lower end of the tax range, the tax rate for a property in San Antonio is 1.2%, higher than the tax floor in Houston. At the upper end, the tax rate is 1.4%, lower than the tax ceiling in Houston.

Overview of Harris County, TX Taxes

The state of Texas has some of the highest property tax rates in the country. In Harris County, the most populous county in the state, the average effective property tax rate is 2.13%. That's nearly double the national average of 0.99%. Not in Texas?

To qualify for the general residence homestead exemption an individual must have an ownership interest in the property and use the property as the individual's principal residence. An applicant is required to state that he or she does not claim an exemption on another residence homestead in or outside of Texas.

Though Texas has no state-level personal income tax, it does levy relatively high consumption and property taxes on residents to make up the difference. Ultimately, it has a higher effective state and local tax rate for a median U.S. household at 12.73% than California's 8.97%, according to a new report from WalletHub.

That includes income, property, sales and other taxes. Florida's combined rate is 8.21%. Texas' is 12.73%. The real estate taxes in Texas are the sixth highest nationwide, amounting to over $4,200 annually on average. California's rate ranks 36th.

Generally, all property must be taxed based on its current market value. That's the price it would sell for when both buyer and seller seek the best price and neither is under pressure to buy or sell.

The average property tax rate in Texas is 1.80%. This is currently the seventh-highest rate in the United States. Breaking this out in dollars, if your home is valued at $200,000, your personal property taxes at the average rate of 1.80% would be $3,600 for the year.

DFW cities/towns property tax rates

Highland Park, which has a combined total rate of 1.67 percent, has the lowest property tax rate in the DFW area and Hawk Cove, with a combined rate of 3.17 percent, has the highest tax rate.

Austin. Known for its booming economy; excellent education, entertainment, and recreational opportunities; diverse dining scene, and sunny weather, Austin is one of the most popular cities in Texas — and the country.

Which city has the highest property taxes? ›

1. Alaska. Alaska is the most tax-friendly state for retirees because it has no state income tax or tax on Social Security. And its sales tax rate is the fourth lowest on our list - fifth lowest in the U.S. But keep this in mind: The cost of living in Alaska is higher than in most states.

For the 2022 tax year, 11 states tax Social Security benefits: Colorado, Connecticut, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, Rhode Island, Utah and Vermont. All other states and the District of Columbia do not tax the payments.

The Texas Constitution forbids personal income taxes. Instead of collecting income taxes, Texas relies on high sales and use taxes. When paired with local taxes, total sales taxes in some jurisdictions are as high as 8.25%. Property tax rates in Texas are also high.

All of the data below comes from the Census Bureau's 2021 1-year American Community Survey (ACS) Estimates. Hawaii has the lowest property tax rate in the U.S. at 0.27%. The Aloha state has a home median value of $722,500.

Local governments are sinking further into debt, but after years of talk, officials have yet to introduce a real estate tax.

One of the most common subjects on the issue of costs will undoubtedly be related to property taxes. To be clear, in Mexico, you will be responsible for paying some form of taxes. This is true if you own residential property, rent your property and earn income, or if you sell your property in Mexico.

This might not come as a surprise, but you can find some of the cheapest vacant land in the country in Texas. Within Texas, Wilbarger County was the cheapest county in which one could buy a vacant lot since 2014.

Unclaimed Personal Property

Once the personal property is considered abandoned under the law, it must be reported to the Texas Comptroller. Texans can search for unclaimed property in their name through the Texas Comptroller's website and submit a claim.

What is no man's land in Texas? ›

The Neutral Strip (No Man's Land) draws its name from the area's brief stint as the buffer zone between Spain and the United States after the Louisiana Purchase. When the United States purchased the territory from France, Spain and the U.S. were in conflict over the boundary, near Natchitoches.

At what age do you stop paying school taxes in Texas? Never! Unless they are totally exempt from property taxes, a homeowner continues to pay property tax even after age 65, so long as they live in that house. Homeowners aged 65 and above are eligible for a "tax-ceiling".

Property Tax and Appraisals

The Texas Tax Code, Section 33.06, allows taxpayers 65 years of age or older to defer their property taxes until their estates are settled after death.

Basically, if you're 65 or older, you have to file a tax return in 2022 if your gross income is $14,700 or higher. If you're married filing jointly and both 65 or older, that amount is $28,700. If you're married filing jointly and only one of you is 65 or older, that amount is $27,300.

Longview, about 130 miles east of Dallas, had the lowest property taxes in the state: Residents there paid an average of $2,084 a year on a typical home worth $201,036 in 2021, according to ATTOM's data.

The City of Stafford holds the unique distinction of being the largest city in Texas to abolish city property taxes. This includes both commercial and residential properties. In addition to a lack of city property taxes, the State of Texas has no state property taxes.

According to the Tax Foundation, Texas currently has the sixth-highest property tax rate in the country. So where in Texas are the property taxes the highest? According to the Tax Foundation, three counties, Collin County, Fort Bend County and Travis County, have median property taxes that exceed $6,000.

Property Tax and Appraisals

The Texas Tax Code, Section 33.06, allows taxpayers 65 years of age or older to defer their property taxes until their estates are settled after death.

To qualify for the general residence homestead exemption an individual must have an ownership interest in the property and use the property as the individual's principal residence. An applicant is required to state that he or she does not claim an exemption on another residence homestead in or outside of Texas.

Which town has the highest property taxes? ›

Property tax deferral for seniors

You may be aware that seniors can apply for an exemption from Texas property taxes. This is true: when you reach the age of 65, you can file an affidavit with the chief appraiser in your district to exempt yourself from the collection of taxes on your property.

How do I apply for the senior exemption and freeze? You, or your spouse, will qualify for the senior exemption and freeze on the date you become age 65. To receive this benefit, you must complete a homestead exemption form and return it to the Tarrant Appraisal District at the address on the form.

If you are dissatisfied with your appraised value or if errors exist in the appraisal records regarding your property, you should file a Form 50-132, Notice of Protest (PDF) with the ARB. In most cases, you have until May 15 or 30 days from the date the appraisal district notice is delivered — whichever date is later.

Suppose you're 65 or older and occupy your home as your primary residence. In that case, you qualify for the “over 65” Homestead Exemption, which includes a $10,000 homestead exemption for the school taxes on your home's value, in addition to the $15,000 exemption for all homeowners.

Ag exemption requirements vary by county, but generally you need at least 10 acres of qualified agricultural land to be eligible. Check with your county to verify.

Social Security benefits may or may not be taxed after 62, depending in large part on other income earned. Those only receiving Social Security benefits do not have to pay federal income taxes.