Highlands County Property Taxes
Highlands County, Florida
Effective Tax Rate
0.00%
31.3% below state avgMedian Annual Tax
$0
$108/mo escrow
Estimate Your Tax
Annual Tax
$0
Monthly
$0
Eff. Rate
0.73%
At a Glance
Median Home Value
$177,900
State avg ▼ $257,245
Tax w/ Mortgage/yr
$1,496
$125/mo escrow
Tax w/o Mortgage/yr
$1,101
$92/mo
State Tax Rate Rank
#30
of 67 counties (1 = lowest)
Data Story
About Property Taxes in Highlands County, Florida
Highlands taxes remain below national norm
Highlands County's 0.728% effective tax rate runs roughly 21% lower than the national median of 0.92%, landing it among America's lighter-taxed counties. The median annual property tax of $1,295 represents less than half the national median of $2,690.
Virtually tied with Florida's average rate
Highlands County's 0.728% rate nearly matches Florida's statewide average of 0.731%, placing it squarely in the middle of the state's tax rankings. Its $1,295 median tax, however, falls $590 below the state median of $1,885.
Lower taxes than most regional peers
Highlands' 0.728% rate undercuts neighboring Hernando (0.720%, similar), and significantly beats larger counties like Hillsborough (0.836%). It runs higher than the rural trio of Holmes (0.520%), Jackson (0.549%), and Hendry (0.801%).
Annual tax on typical $177K property
A Highlands County homeowner with the median-valued property of $177,900 pays roughly $1,295 per year in property taxes. Mortgage-related assessments bring the total to approximately $1,496 annually.
Challenge your valuation today
Many Highlands County homeowners never question their property assessments, even when values have declined or market conditions shift. Filing an appeal costs nothing and can uncover significant tax savings if your home is overvalued.
Tax Rate Details
Understanding Millage Rates in Highlands County
In Florida, property taxes are expressed as a millage rate (also called a mill rate). One mill equals $1 of tax for every $1,000 of assessed property value. Your total property tax bill is determined by adding together the millage rates set by the county, city or municipality, school district, and any special districts.
In Florida, property is assessed at just value (market value), but homestead exemptions can reduce taxable value by $50,000 or more. The millage rate is applied to the taxable value after exemptions. Florida counties, cities, school districts, and special districts each levy their own millage rates.
Highlands County has an effective property tax rate of 0.73%, resulting in a median annual tax bill of $1,295. Use the calculator above to estimate your property tax based on Highlands County's current rate, or contact the Highlands County tax assessor's office for the exact millage rate breakdown for your property.
How Highlands County Compares
Median Annual Property Tax
Highlands County
0.73%
Effective rate
Florida Avg
0.73%
Effective rate
National Avg
0.91%
Effective rate
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the property tax rate in Highlands County, Florida?
What is the millage rate in Highlands County, Florida?
How much are property taxes in Highlands County?
How does Highlands County compare to the Florida average?
What is the median home value in Highlands County, Florida?
Is Highlands County a low property tax area in Florida?
How does Highlands County rank for property taxes in Florida?
Counties with Similar Tax Rates
Nearby Counties
Other Counties in Florida
Data updated: March 2026
Data from U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates. Effective tax rate is calculated as median property tax divided by median home value.