King County Property Taxes

King County, Washington

Effective Tax Rate

0.00%

124.1% above state avg

Median Annual Tax

$0

$565/mo escrow

#32 of 39 counties in Washington

Estimate Your Tax

$
$50K$2M

Annual Tax

$0

Monthly

$0

Eff. Rate

0.84%

vs. Washington Avg124.1% above
vs. National Avg152.2% above

At a Glance

Median Home Value

$811,200

State avg $397,674

Tax w/ Mortgage/yr

$6,741

$562/mo escrow

Tax w/o Mortgage/yr

$6,900

$575/mo

State Tax Rate Rank

#32

of 39 counties (1 = lowest)

Data Story

About Property Taxes in King County, Washington

King County taxes rank in top tier nationally

King County's effective tax rate of 0.836% sits well above the U.S. median of 0.71%, placing it in the 75th percentile nationally. Homeowners here pay a median of $6,785 annually—more than 2.5 times the national median of $2,690—reflecting both higher home values and steeper tax rates.

Highest tax burden in Washington state

King County leads Washington's 39 counties with the highest effective tax rate at 0.836%, compared to the state average of 0.761%. This 0.075 percentage point difference compounds significantly across the county's expensive real estate market.

Steep taxes compared to Puget Sound peers

King County's 0.836% rate substantially exceeds nearby Kitsap County (0.797%) and Kittitas County (0.708%). Residents here shoulder roughly $2,000 more in annual property taxes than Kitsap County homeowners on comparable properties.

Median home costs $6,785 yearly in taxes

With a median home value of $811,200, King County homeowners typically pay $6,785 in annual property taxes. Mortgaged homes average $6,741, while properties owned outright average $6,900.

Challenge your assessment if overvalued

Many King County homeowners are overassessed relative to recent sales comps, especially in fast-moving markets. Filing a property tax appeal costs nothing and can reduce your tax burden if your assessed value exceeds current market value.

How King County Compares

Median Annual Property Tax

King County$6,785
Washington State Average$3,028
National Average$1,924

King County

0.84%

Effective rate

Washington Avg

0.76%

Effective rate

National Avg

0.91%

Effective rate

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the property tax rate in King County, Washington?
The effective property tax rate in King County, Washington is 0.84%. 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 King County?
The median annual property tax payment in King County is $6,785. Homeowners with a mortgage pay a median of $6,741, while those without a mortgage pay $6,900.
How does King County compare to the Washington average?
King County's effective tax rate of 0.84% is higher than the Washington state average of 0.76%. The median annual property tax in King County is $6,785, compared to the state average of $3,028.
What is the median home value in King County, Washington?
The median home value in King County, Washington is $811,200, according to U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates.
Why is King County property tax rate higher than the Washington average?
King County's effective property tax rate of 0.84% is higher than the Washington average of 0.76%. This difference of 0.07% 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 King County rank for property taxes in Washington?
King County ranks #32 out of 39 counties in Washington by effective property tax rate (1 = lowest). With a rate of 0.84% and median annual tax of $6,785, it falls in the upper third of counties statewide.

Counties with Similar Tax Rates

Nearby Counties

Other Counties in Washington

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.