Harris County Property Tax Rate: 2025 Rates by Taxing Entity
Harris County is the largest county in Texas and has one of the most complex property tax structures in the state. A typical Houston homeowner pays taxes to seven or more overlapping entities -- Houston ISD, the City of Houston, Harris County, Harris Health, the Flood Control District, the Port Authority, and HCDE -- producing a combined rate of approximately 2.03% of taxable value, or about $2.03 per $100.
A Harris County homeowner with a median home value of $320,000 pays approximately $6,498 per year in total property taxes before exemptions.
Harris County Property Tax Rates by Taxing Entity (Tax Year 2025)
Your Harris 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 Houston homeowner:
| Taxing Entity | Rate per $100 | Est. Tax on $320,000 Home | Share of Bill |
|---|---|---|---|
| Houston ISD | $0.8783 | $2,811 | 43% |
| City of Houston | $0.5192 | $1,661 | 26% |
| Harris County | $0.3853 | $1,233 | 19% |
| Harris Health (Hospital District) | $0.1876 | $600 | 9% |
| Flood Control District | $0.0497 | $159 | 2% |
| Port of Houston Authority | $0.0059 | $19 | <1% |
| Harris County Dept. of Education | $0.0048 | $15 | <1% |
| Total (Typical) | ~$2.03 | ~$6,498 | 100% |
Important: Your exact rate depends on where you live in Harris County. Properties in Municipal Utility Districts (MUDs) pay additional taxes that can add $0.25 to $1.00+ per $100 on top of the standard entities. Harris County has hundreds of MUDs, particularly in newer suburban developments.
Houston ISD: The Largest Share
Houston ISD accounts for roughly 43% of a typical Houston homeowner's property tax bill. The tax year 2025 rate of $0.8783 per $100 breaks down approximately as:
- Maintenance & Operations (M&O): ~$0.71 per $100
- Interest & Sinking (Debt Service): ~$0.17 per $100
The HISD rate increased by nearly 3 cents from the prior year's $0.8489. This increase came through "disaster pennies" -- a provision in state law that allows school districts to raise their tax rate without voter approval after a declared disaster. HISD invoked this authority following Hurricane Beryl in July 2024. The additional revenue is intended for storm recovery costs, but the rate increase applies to all HISD taxpayers regardless of whether their property was damaged.
Other Major School Districts in Harris County
Not all Harris County homeowners are in HISD. Two other large districts serve significant portions of the county:
| School District | 2025 Rate per $100 | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Cy-Fair ISD | $1.0669 | 2-cent decrease; lowest rate in approximately 40 years |
| Spring Branch ISD | $1.0231 | Adopted September 2025 |
Homeowners in Cy-Fair ISD or Spring Branch ISD pay a higher school tax rate than those in HISD, which raises their total effective rate above the 2.03% Houston/HISD figure.
How Harris County Compares to Other Texas Counties
Harris County's total property tax rate falls in the middle of major Texas metros:
| County / City | Approximate Total Rate | Median Home Value |
|---|---|---|
| Harris County (Houston) | ~2.03% | $320,000 |
| Dallas County (Dallas) | ~2.0% | $280,000 |
| Tarrant County (Fort Worth) | ~2.0% | $300,000 |
| Bexar County (San Antonio) | ~2.07% | $260,000 |
| Travis County (Austin) | ~2.07% | $515,000 |
Harris County's rate is comparable to Dallas and Tarrant counties and slightly below Bexar and Travis counties. However, total dollar amounts vary significantly because of differences in home values. Travis County homeowners pay the most in absolute dollars despite similar rates, while Bexar County homeowners pay less due to lower property values.
How Harris County Property Tax Rates Have Changed
Harris County tax rates and bills have shifted in recent years due to voter-approved measures, disaster provisions, and appraisal changes:
| Year | Key Changes |
|---|---|
| 2022 | Harris County adopted a rate above the voter-approval threshold, drawing legal challenges |
| 2023 | Proposition 4 increased the state homestead exemption from $40,000 to $100,000 |
| 2024 | Flood Control Proposition A approved by voters (51%), raising the Flood Control rate by 58% |
| 2025 | HISD disaster pennies added ~3 cents; Harris Health increased rate by ~2.4 cents; homestead exemption rises to $140,000 |
Despite incremental rate decreases by Harris County government itself, increases from other entities -- particularly Harris Health, the Flood Control District, and HISD -- have pushed the combined rate upward.
How Your Harris County Property Tax Bill Is Calculated
Your bill equals your taxable value -- appraised value minus exemptions -- multiplied by the combined tax rate. Here's how that works for a Houston homeowner with a $320,000 home and the $140,000 homestead exemption:
| Component | Amount |
|---|---|
| Appraised value | $320,000 |
| Less: School homestead exemption (SB 4 / Prop 13) | -$140,000 |
| Taxable value (school) | $180,000 |
| School tax (HISD: $180,000 x 0.8783%) | $1,581 |
| City of Houston ($320,000 x 0.5192%) | $1,661 |
| Harris County ($320,000 x 0.3853%) | $1,233 |
| Harris Health ($320,000 x 0.1876%) | $600 |
| Flood Control ($320,000 x 0.0497%) | $159 |
| Port of Houston ($320,000 x 0.0059%) | $19 |
| HCDE ($320,000 x 0.0048%) | $15 |
| Total estimated bill | $5,268 |
Keep in mind: The $140,000 school homestead exemption takes effect in 2026 under SB 4 (Proposition 13). City, county, and other entities offer their own exemptions -- Harris County and the City of Houston each provide a 20% homestead exemption. Your actual bill depends on which entities tax your property and what exemptions you have on file. Learn more about how appraised value, assessed value, and taxable value work.
Why Your Harris 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 Harris County Appraisal District (HCAD) revalues all properties annually. Even moderate appraisal increases compound over time and can more than offset small rate reductions. Houston's housing market has seen significant value growth in many neighborhoods despite recent cooling. For more context, see Harris County's rising property taxes explained.
Municipal Utility Districts (MUDs)
Harris County has hundreds of MUDs, especially in master-planned communities and newer subdivisions. MUD rates typically range from $0.30 to $0.60 per $100 but can exceed $1.00 in some districts. If your property is in a MUD, your total tax rate may be significantly higher than the 2.03% figure above.
Flood Control District Proposition A
In November 2024, voters narrowly approved Proposition A (51%), which increased the Flood Control District's tax rate by 58% -- from $0.031 to $0.0497 per $100. This generates approximately $113 million per year for flood infrastructure improvements across Harris County.
Hurricane Beryl Disaster Pennies
Houston ISD used a state law provision to raise its tax rate by approximately 3 cents per $100 without voter approval after Hurricane Beryl. This "disaster penny" increase contributed to the HISD rate rising from $0.8489 to $0.8783 between tax years 2024 and 2025.
How to Lower Your Harris County Property Taxes
Harris County homeowners can fight back against rising bills through exemptions and the annual protest process.
1. Claim Every Exemption Available
If you haven't filed for your homestead exemption, start there. Beginning in 2026, the school district exemption jumps to $140,000 under SB 4 (Proposition 13), saving a typical Houston homeowner roughly $1,230 per year in school taxes alone. The filing deadline is April 30, but you can file up to two years late to claim missed years.
2. Protest Your HCAD Appraised Value
With HCAD appraising over 1.8 million parcels using mass appraisal models, individual properties are routinely overvalued. Protesting your Harris County property tax appraisal is the single most effective way to reduce your bill. HCAD's notices arrive in April or May -- review yours carefully and file a protest before the deadline. Homeowners who present comparable sales data and condition evidence regularly secure meaningful reductions.
Get Help With Your Harris County Property Tax Protest
With disaster pennies, flood control increases, and rising appraisals all pushing bills up, 2026 is an important year to challenge your HCAD valuation.
Ballard Property Tax Protest represents homeowners across Harris 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.