Whatcom County Property Taxes

Whatcom County, Washington

Effective Tax Rate

0.00%

26.1% above state avg

Median Annual Tax

$0

$318/mo escrow

#13 of 39 counties in Washington

Estimate Your Tax

$
$50K$2M

Annual Tax

$0

Monthly

$0

Eff. Rate

0.71%

vs. Washington Avg26.1% above
vs. National Avg42% above

At a Glance

Median Home Value

$536,100

State avg $397,674

Tax w/ Mortgage/yr

$3,876

$323/mo escrow

Tax w/o Mortgage/yr

$3,713

$309/mo

State Tax Rate Rank

#13

of 39 counties (1 = lowest)

Data Story

About Property Taxes in Whatcom County, Washington

Whatcom County taxes slightly below national median

Whatcom County's effective tax rate of 0.712% sits just below the national median of 0.85%. However, with a median home value of $536,100, residents pay $3,819 annually—42% more than the national median property tax of $2,690.

Moderate taxes on high home values

Whatcom County's 0.712% effective rate falls below the Washington state average of 0.761%, positioning it as a relatively moderate-tax county. Yet at $3,819 in median property taxes, the county's high home values result in above-average total bills.

Lower rate than Walla Walla, higher than Yakima

Whatcom County's 0.712% rate undercuts Walla Walla (0.901%) and Yakima (0.818%) but exceeds Stevens (0.654%) and Wahkiakum (0.605%). Its position reflects northwestern Washington's mixed tax landscape.

What you'll pay on a Whatcom County home

On a median home valued at $536,100, Whatcom County residents pay approximately $3,819 per year in property taxes. This holds relatively steady whether the home carries a mortgage or is owned free and clear.

Review your assessment for accuracy

Whatcom County homeowners should verify their assessments match comparable local sales, especially in appreciating markets. Challenging an overvalued assessment through the county's appeal process could save hundreds annually.

How Whatcom County Compares

Median Annual Property Tax

Whatcom County$3,819
Washington State Average$3,028
National Average$1,924

Whatcom County

0.71%

Effective rate

Washington Avg

0.76%

Effective rate

National Avg

0.91%

Effective rate

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the property tax rate in Whatcom County, Washington?
The effective property tax rate in Whatcom County, Washington is 0.71%. 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 Whatcom County?
The median annual property tax payment in Whatcom County is $3,819. Homeowners with a mortgage pay a median of $3,876, while those without a mortgage pay $3,713.
How does Whatcom County compare to the Washington average?
Whatcom County's effective tax rate of 0.71% is lower than the Washington state average of 0.76%. The median annual property tax in Whatcom County is $3,819, compared to the state average of $3,028.
What is the median home value in Whatcom County, Washington?
The median home value in Whatcom County, Washington is $536,100, according to U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates.
Is Whatcom County a low property tax area in Washington?
Yes — Whatcom County's effective property tax rate of 0.71% is below the Washington average of 0.76%. The median annual property tax of $3,819 is also comparable to the state average of $3,028, making it a relatively affordable area for property taxes.
How does Whatcom County rank for property taxes in Washington?
Whatcom County ranks #13 out of 39 counties in Washington by effective property tax rate (1 = lowest). With a rate of 0.71% and median annual tax of $3,819, it falls in the lower 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.