Harris County Property Taxes

Harris County, Texas

Effective Tax Rate

0.00%

98.9% above state avg

Median Annual Tax

$0

$365/mo escrow

#230 of 250 counties in Texas

Estimate Your Tax

$
$50K$2M

Annual Tax

$0

Monthly

$0

Eff. Rate

1.72%

vs. Texas Avg98.9% above
vs. National Avg62.9% above

At a Glance

Median Home Value

$255,000

State avg $171,960

Tax w/ Mortgage/yr

$5,134

$428/mo escrow

Tax w/o Mortgage/yr

$3,294

$275/mo

State Tax Rate Rank

#230

of 250 counties (1 = lowest)

Data Story

About Property Taxes in Harris County, Texas

Harris County taxes run well above national median

Harris County's effective tax rate of 1.718% exceeds the national median of 1.80%, while its median property tax of $4,382 is 63% higher than the national median of $2,690. This significant gap reflects Houston's booming real estate market and higher home values.

Highest-taxing county in this Texas sample

At 1.718%, Harris County has the highest effective tax rate among these eight counties, exceeding the Texas state average of 1.276% by 35%. Only Hansford County's 1.639% comes close, placing Harris clearly at the top of Texas's urban tax burden.

Significantly costlier than surrounding rural areas

Harris County's 1.718% rate vastly exceeds nearby rural counties like Hardin (1.155%) and Harrison (1.016%), reflecting Houston's urbanization and infrastructure demands. A $200,000 home pays roughly $1,100 more annually in Harris than in Hardin County.

Houston homes face hefty $4,382 tax bills

The median Harris County home valued at $255,000 generates a substantial $4,382 annual property tax—more than double the state median of $2,193. With mortgage deductions, the cost climbs to $5,134, making Harris the most expensive county in this group.

Houston homeowners should challenge assessments

Many Harris County properties are assessed above fair market value, particularly in hot neighborhoods where appraisals lag sales data. Scheduling a protest before the April 30th deadline could save thousands, especially in appreciating areas where assessments haven't caught up to recent comps.

How Harris County Compares

Median Annual Property Tax

Harris County$4,382
Texas State Average$2,203
National Average$1,924

Harris County

1.72%

Effective rate

Texas Avg

1.28%

Effective rate

National Avg

0.91%

Effective rate

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the property tax rate in Harris County, Texas?
The effective property tax rate in Harris County, Texas is 1.72%. 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 Harris County?
The median annual property tax payment in Harris County is $4,382. Homeowners with a mortgage pay a median of $5,134, while those without a mortgage pay $3,294.
How does Harris County compare to the Texas average?
Harris County's effective tax rate of 1.72% is higher than the Texas state average of 1.28%. The median annual property tax in Harris County is $4,382, compared to the state average of $2,203.
What is the median home value in Harris County, Texas?
The median home value in Harris County, Texas is $255,000, according to U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates.
Why is Harris County property tax rate higher than the Texas average?
Harris County's effective property tax rate of 1.72% is higher than the Texas average of 1.28%. This difference of 0.44% 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 Harris County rank for property taxes in Texas?
Harris County ranks #230 out of 250 counties in Texas by effective property tax rate (1 = lowest). With a rate of 1.72% and median annual tax of $4,382, it falls in the upper third of counties statewide.

Counties with Similar Tax Rates

Nearby Counties

Other Counties in Texas

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.