Bell County Property Tax Rate: 2025 Rates by Taxing Entity
Fort Cavazos -- the largest active-duty military installation in the Western Hemisphere -- shapes Bell County's housing market like no other factor. Military families make up a significant share of Killeen's population, and housing demand driven by Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) rates keeps the local market distinct from civilian-only metros. The typical Killeen homeowner faces a combined property tax rate of approximately 1.98% of taxable value, or $1.98 per $100, spread across Killeen ISD, the City of Killeen, Bell County, and Central Texas College.
A Bell County homeowner with a home valued at $260,000 -- near the county median -- pays approximately $5,153 per year in total property taxes before exemptions.
Bell County Property Tax Rates by Taxing Entity (Tax Year 2025)
Your Bell County property tax bill is the sum of taxes levied by every taxing entity that covers your property. Here are the current adopted rates for the major entities serving a typical City of Killeen homeowner:
| Taxing Entity | Rate per $100 | Est. Tax on $260,000 Home | Share of Bill |
|---|---|---|---|
| Killeen ISD | $0.8778 | $2,282 | 44% |
| City of Killeen | $0.7014 | $1,824 | 35% |
| Bell County | $0.3125 | $813 | 16% |
| Central TX College | $0.0900 | $234 | 5% |
| Total (Typical) | ~$1.98 | ~$5,153 | 100% |
Important: Your exact rate depends on where you live in Bell County. Homeowners in Temple pay a different city rate and school district rate than those in Killeen. Temple ISD's rate of $1.1372 is significantly higher than Killeen ISD's $0.8778, and Temple homeowners also pay Temple College's rate of $0.2017 instead of Central Texas College's $0.0900.
Killeen ISD: The Largest Share
Killeen ISD accounts for roughly 44% of a typical Killeen homeowner's property tax bill. The tax year 2025 rate of $0.8778 per $100 is unchanged from the prior year, with $0.6682 going to maintenance and operations (M&O) and $0.2096 to debt service (I&S).
Killeen ISD is the largest school district in Bell County and has the lowest total tax rate among the three major districts. The district serves a significant number of military families stationed at Fort Cavazos.
Other Major School Districts in Bell County
Bell County includes three major school districts with notably different rates:
| School District | 2025 Rate per $100 | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Temple ISD | $1.1372 | VATRE and $122.45M bond approved Nov 2025; M&O $0.8022, I&S $0.3350 |
| Belton ISD | $1.1494 | Highest total rate; no rate increase for 2025-26; I&S $0.3625 |
| Killeen ISD | $0.8778 | Lowest rate; M&O $0.6682, I&S $0.2096 |
The difference is substantial. A homeowner in Belton ISD territory pays roughly $707 more per year in school taxes on the same $260,000 home compared to a homeowner in Killeen ISD.
How Bell County Compares to Other Texas Counties
Bell County's total property tax rate is moderate compared to other Texas metros:
| County / City | Approximate Total Rate | Median Home Value |
|---|---|---|
| Bell County (Killeen) | ~1.98% | $260,000 |
| Montgomery County (Conroe) | ~1.91% | $335,000 |
| Fort Bend County (Sugar Land) | ~1.84% | $380,000 |
| Harris County (Houston) | ~2.03% | $320,000 |
| Dallas County (Dallas) | ~2.22% | $350,000 |
Bell County's rate is comparable to Harris County and well below Dallas County. However, Temple homeowners face a significantly higher total rate (~2.35%) due to Temple ISD's higher school tax and Temple College's rate.
How Bell County Property Tax Rates Have Changed
Bell County has seen relatively stable county rates, with most changes driven by city and school district decisions:
| Year | Key Changes |
|---|---|
| 2022 | Killeen-Temple median home price reached $267,500; steady growth |
| 2023 | Fort Hood renamed to Fort Cavazos; property values continued rising |
| 2024 | Bell County adopted no-new-revenue rate; Killeen ISD rate unchanged |
| 2025 | Temple city rate up 11.8%; Temple ISD VATRE and $122.45M bond approved; Copperas Cove rate up 10.9% |
Bell County's median home price increased from $168,000 in 2019 to $267,500 in 2023 -- the third largest increase among all Texas metropolises during that period.
Fort Cavazos and the Killeen-Temple Housing Market
Fort Cavazos (formerly Fort Hood) is the largest active-duty military installation in the Western Hemisphere, home to approximately 45,000 soldiers and their families. The base's annual economic impact on the Killeen-Temple-Fort Cavazos Metropolitan Statistical Area exceeds $30 billion, and military housing demand strongly influences local property values.
The Department of Defense sets Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) rates annually based on local rental and housing costs. For 2025, the BAH rate for an E-6 with dependents in the Killeen-Temple area is approximately $1,500 per month. Because many military families purchase homes priced near the BAH ceiling, this creates a natural price anchor in the $250,000 to $300,000 range -- which is why Bell County's median sits squarely in that band.
Why Killeen ISD's Rate Is So Much Lower Than Temple and Belton
The $0.26 gap between Killeen ISD ($0.8778) and Belton ISD ($1.1494) is one of the widest school district rate differences in any Texas county. The primary driver is property wealth per student. Killeen ISD has a large enrollment -- roughly 44,000 students -- spread across a substantial commercial and residential tax base that includes properties near Fort Cavazos. This higher property wealth per pupil generates more revenue at a lower rate. Temple ISD and Belton ISD, while serving growing populations, have smaller tax bases relative to their enrollment, requiring higher rates to generate comparable per-student funding. For homeowners, this means choosing a home in Killeen ISD territory saves roughly $707 per year on a $260,000 home compared to Belton ISD.
How Your Bell County Property Tax Bill Is Calculated
Each entity calculates your tax by applying its rate to your taxable value -- appraised value minus exemptions. Here's the breakdown for a Killeen homeowner with a $260,000 home and the $140,000 homestead exemption:
| Component | Amount |
|---|---|
| Appraised value | $260,000 |
| Less: School homestead exemption (SB 4 / Prop 13) | -$140,000 |
| Taxable value (school) | $120,000 |
| Killeen ISD tax ($120,000 x 0.8778%) | $1,053 |
| City of Killeen ($260,000 x 0.7014%) | $1,824 |
| Bell County ($260,000 x 0.3125%) | $813 |
| Central TX College ($260,000 x 0.09%) | $234 |
| Total estimated bill | $3,924 |
Worth noting: The $140,000 school homestead exemption takes effect in 2026 under SB 4 (Proposition 13) and only reduces the school district portion. The City of Killeen, Bell County, and Central Texas College each offer their own exemptions that further reduce your taxable value for their levies. Your actual bill depends on your specific ISD and city. Learn more about how appraised value, assessed value, and taxable value work.
Why Your Bell County Property Tax Bill May Be Higher Than Expected
Even if tax rates stay flat or decrease, your bill can increase for several reasons:
Rising Appraisals
The Bell County Appraisal District revalues all properties annually. Killeen and Temple home prices increased faster than the state average from 2019 to 2023. While values have moderated recently, appraised values may still exceed current market values -- particularly for homes purchased during the 2021-2022 peak.
City Rate Increases
Temple's 11.8% city rate increase and Copperas Cove's 10.9% increase added hundreds of dollars to homeowners' bills in those cities. These increases fund expanded public safety and infrastructure needs from rapid growth.
School District Bond Debt
Temple ISD voters approved a $122.45 million bond in November 2025 for campus improvements and security upgrades. While the bond's immediate rate impact is modest, it adds to the district's already-high I&S rate of $0.3350. Belton ISD carries the highest total rate at $1.1494, with $0.3625 going to debt service.
How to Lower Your Bell County Property Taxes
Bell County home prices rose faster than most Texas metros between 2019 and 2023, meaning appraisals may have outpaced your home's current value. Here's how to bring your bill in line.
1. File for Homestead Exemption
If you haven't filed for your homestead exemption, do that first. Beginning in 2026, the school district exemption rises to $140,000 under SB 4 (Proposition 13), saving a typical Killeen ISD homeowner roughly $1,229 per year in school taxes alone. The City of Killeen, Bell County, and Central Texas College each offer their own additional exemptions.
The filing deadline is April 30, and you can file up to two years late to claim retroactive savings.
2. Protest Your Bell CAD Appraised Value
With median home prices jumping from $168,000 in 2019 to $267,500 in 2023, Bell County appraisals may still reflect peak-era valuations even as the market cools. Protesting your Bell County property tax appraisal gives you the chance to present recent comparable sales that support a lower value. File before the deadline after reviewing your Notice of Appraised Value in April or May. Be sure to avoid common mistakes when filing online with Bell CAD.
Get Help With Your Bell County Property Tax Protest
Whether you're a military family adjusting to a new duty station or a longtime Killeen resident watching values climb, a professional appraisal review can ensure you're not paying more than your home is worth.
Ballard Property Tax Protest represents homeowners across Bell County. We handle the entire protest process -- from filing to informal hearings to ARB representation -- and you only pay if we reduce your appraised value.
No reduction, no fee.