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Texas Property Tax Calculator by County (2026)

Texas has no state income tax, but compensates with some of the highest property taxes in the nation. The average effective property tax rate in Texas is 1.58%, well above the national average of 1.1%. On a $350,000 home, that's $5,530/year in property taxes — but rates vary significantly by county, school district, and special taxing districts.

Texas counties with the highest effective rates include Harris (Houston area, ~2.06%), Fort Bend (~2.23%), and Bexar (San Antonio, ~1.97%). Lower rates are found in counties like King (~0.54%) and Loving (~0.44%), but these are rural. The Texas homestead exemption reduces the taxable value of primary residences by $25,000 for school district taxes, plus additional exemptions for seniors and disabled veterans.

Use the calculator below to estimate your Texas property tax. Enter your county's effective rate and homestead exemption to see the exact monthly impact on your mortgage payment.

Loan Details

?The purchase price of the home you're considering buying.
?The amount you plan to pay upfront when purchasing the home.
?The annual interest rate on your mortgage loan.
?The length of your mortgage in years. Common terms are 15 or 30 years.
?The annual property tax rate as a percentage of home value.
?Annual homeowners insurance premium.
?Monthly homeowners association (HOA) fees, if applicable.
End of inputs

Results

Monthly Payment
$2,347.29

Total / month

Loan Amount
$280,000.00

After down payment

Total Interest
$357,125.12

Over 30 years

Monthly Payment Breakdown
Amortization Schedule
Payment Schedule
MonthPrincipalInterestBalance

360 months · Showing 0 rows

Key Insights
Over the life of this loan you'll pay $357,125.12 in interest — more than the principal itself. A shorter loan term or biweekly payments could dramatically reduce this cost.
Making one extra payment per year (about $147.48/month) could save approximately $81,115.38 in interest and pay off your loan 5.8 years earlier.
Your interest rate of 6.50% is in line with recent market averages. Shopping around with at least three lenders could still save you thousands over the life of the loan.
Your down payment of 20% or more means you avoid Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI) entirely — a saving of hundreds of dollars per month.
Your down payment of 20.00% is strong, giving you immediate equity in your home and helping you secure better loan terms.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average property tax rate in Texas?

The average effective property tax rate in Texas is 1.58% (2026), the 6th-highest in the U.S. On a $350,000 home, annual property tax averages $5,530 ($461/month). However, rates vary widely by county: Harris County (Houston) averages 2.06% ($7,210 on $350K), Dallas County 1.93% ($6,755), Travis County (Austin) 1.80% ($6,300), and Bexar County (San Antonio) 1.97% ($6,895). Check your county appraisal district for exact rates including school, hospital, and special districts.

How does the Texas homestead exemption work?

Texas provides a mandatory $25,000 homestead exemption on school district taxes for primary residences. On a $350,000 home in a district with a 1.5% school tax rate, this saves $375/year. Seniors (65+) and disabled residents get an additional $10,000 school district exemption. Disabled veterans may qualify for exemptions from $5,000 to fully exempt. File Form 50-114 with your county appraisal district by April 30. You must own and occupy the home as of January 1 to qualify.

Why are Texas property taxes so high?

Texas has no state income tax, so local governments (counties, cities, school districts) rely heavily on property taxes to fund schools, roads, and services. Texas ranks 6th nationally in effective property tax rate (1.58%). School district taxes make up the largest portion (~55%), followed by city/county (~30%) and special districts (~15%). Recent legislation (SB2, 2019) capped revenue growth at 3.5% for non-school taxing units, and 2023's HB3 increased the homestead exemption from $40,000 to $100,000 (school district only), providing some relief.

How can I lower my Texas property tax bill?

Strategies: (1) File for the homestead exemption (saves ~$375-$625/year). (2) Protest your assessed value annually — Texas has one of the most homeowner-friendly protest processes; about 60% of protests result in reductions. (3) Apply for senior (65+) or disability exemptions. (4) Check for agricultural, timber, or wildlife exemptions if you have qualifying land. (5) Vote in local bond elections (these directly raise your tax rate). File protests by May 15 via your county Appraisal Review Board (ARB).

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