Tompkins County Property Taxes

Tompkins County, New York

Effective Tax Rate

0.00%

35.4% above state avg

Median Annual Tax

$0

$531/mo escrow

#44 of 62 counties in New York

Estimate Your Tax

$
$50K$2M

Annual Tax

$0

Monthly

$0

Eff. Rate

2.35%

vs. New York Avg35.4% above
vs. National Avg137% above

At a Glance

Median Home Value

$271,500

State avg $267,155

Tax w/ Mortgage/yr

$6,576

$548/mo escrow

Tax w/o Mortgage/yr

$6,114

$510/mo

State Tax Rate Rank

#44

of 62 counties (1 = lowest)

Data Story

About Property Taxes in Tompkins County, New York

Tompkins taxes above national median

Tompkins County's effective tax rate of 2.348% ranks in the 66th percentile nationally, above the national median of 2.09%. Its median property tax of $6,374 is more than double the national median of $2,690, driven by home values averaging $271,500—close to the national median of $281,900.

Above-average tax rate statewide

Tompkins' effective rate of 2.348% exceeds New York's state average of 2.046%, placing it in the higher tier of New York counties. The median tax of $6,374 surpasses the state median of $4,709, reflecting both an above-average rate and above-average home values.

Moderate taxes among Finger Lakes group

Tompkins' 2.348% rate falls between Seneca County (2.289%) and Tioga County (2.448), and well below Steuben's 2.523%. Its actual tax bills ($6,374 median) exceed most regional peers due to higher home values typical of college-town communities.

Annual tax on typical Tompkins home

A homeowner with the county's median-valued property of $271,500 pays approximately $6,374 annually in property taxes. With a mortgage, that climbs to $6,576; without one, it drops to $6,114.

Appeal if assessed above market value

Tompkins County homes appreciate regularly, but assessments may lag behind or overshoot actual market value. Homeowners can file free appeals with their town assessor if they believe their assessed value exceeds recent comparable sales—successful appeals often yield thousands in cumulative savings.

How Tompkins County Compares

Median Annual Property Tax

Tompkins County$6,374
New York State Average$4,709
National Average$1,924

Tompkins County

2.35%

Effective rate

New York Avg

1.76%

Effective rate

National Avg

0.91%

Effective rate

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the property tax rate in Tompkins County, New York?
The effective property tax rate in Tompkins County, New York is 2.35%. This rate is calculated by dividing the median property tax payment by the median home value in the county.
How much are property taxes in Tompkins County?
The median annual property tax payment in Tompkins County is $6,374. Homeowners with a mortgage pay a median of $6,576, while those without a mortgage pay $6,114.
How does Tompkins County compare to the New York average?
Tompkins County's effective tax rate of 2.35% is higher than the New York state average of 1.76%. The median annual property tax in Tompkins County is $6,374, compared to the state average of $4,709.
What is the median home value in Tompkins County, New York?
The median home value in Tompkins County, New York is $271,500, according to U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates.
Why is Tompkins County property tax rate higher than the New York average?
Tompkins County's effective property tax rate of 2.35% is higher than the New York average of 1.76%. This difference of 0.58% can be attributed to local funding needs for schools, infrastructure, and municipal services. Higher rates often correlate with more urbanized areas or counties with greater public service demands.
How does Tompkins County rank for property taxes in New York?
Tompkins County ranks #44 out of 62 counties in New York by effective property tax rate (1 = lowest). With a rate of 2.35% and median annual tax of $6,374, it falls in the upper third of counties statewide.

Counties with Similar Tax Rates

Nearby Counties

Other Counties in New York

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.