Hays County Property Tax Rate: 2025 Rates by Taxing Entity
Hays County's population has grown 210% since 2000, making it one of the fastest-growing counties in Texas -- and that growth is straining tax rates. Voters rejected Hays CISD's 12-cent tax rate election in November 2025 by a wide margin, but city and county rates have surged to fund infrastructure. The typical Kyle homeowner now faces a combined rate of approximately 2.15% of taxable value, or $2.15 per $100, spread across Hays CISD, the City of Kyle, and Hays County.
A Hays County homeowner with a home valued at $370,000 -- near the county median -- pays approximately $7,956 per year in total property taxes before exemptions.
Hays County Property Tax Rates by Taxing Entity (Tax Year 2025)
Your Hays 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 Kyle homeowner:
| Taxing Entity | Rate per $100 | Est. Tax on $370,000 Home | Share of Bill |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hays CISD | $1.1546 | $4,272 | 54% |
| City of Kyle | $0.5957 | $2,204 | 28% |
| Hays County | $0.3999 | $1,480 | 19% |
| Total (Typical) | ~$2.15 | ~$7,956 | 100% |
Important: Your exact rate depends on where you live in Hays County. Property owners in MUDs or other special districts pay additional taxes. Rates also vary significantly by city -- Buda homeowners pay $0.3576 per $100 in city taxes compared to Kyle's $0.5957.
Hays CISD: The Largest Share
Hays CISD accounts for roughly 54% of a typical Kyle homeowner's property tax bill. The tax year 2025 rate of $1.1546 per $100 is unchanged from the prior year. The district's maintenance and operations (M&O) rate is $0.6669 per $100, with $0.4877 going to debt service (I&S).
In November 2025, Hays CISD called a Tax Rate Election seeking a 12-cent M&O increase. Voters rejected the proposal 59.75% to 40.25%. The board subsequently adopted the existing $1.1546 rate. The district faces a $20 million fund balance shortfall and has announced budget cuts for the 2026-27 school year.
Other School Districts in Hays County
Hays County includes several school districts with varying rates:
| School District | 2025 Rate per $100 | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Dripping Springs ISD | $1.1052 | I&S rate steady at $0.35 since 2016; bond structured with no rate increase |
| San Marcos CISD | ~$1.0152 | M&O $0.6969, I&S $0.3183 |
| Wimberley ISD | ~$0.9799 | Lowest ISD rate in the county |
Homeowners in Dripping Springs ISD pay a similar total school tax to those in Hays CISD. Wimberley ISD homeowners pay roughly $647 less per year in school taxes on the same home value.
City Rates Vary Dramatically
The city you live in has a major impact on your total tax bill:
| City | 2025 Rate per $100 | Change from 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| San Marcos | $0.6515 | +8.0% |
| Kyle | $0.5957 | +26.9% |
| Buda | $0.3576 | +5.3% |
Kyle's 26.9% rate increase was the largest among Hays County cities, driven by infrastructure needs from rapid population growth. Buda's rate remains less than half of San Marcos's, making it the lowest city rate in the county.
How Hays County Compares to Other Texas Counties
Hays County's total property tax rate is above most major Texas metros:
| County / City | Approximate Total Rate | Median Home Value |
|---|---|---|
| Comal County (New Braunfels) | ~1.79% | $400,000 |
| Williamson County (Round Rock) | ~1.68% | $420,000 |
| Travis County (Austin) | ~1.80% | $525,000 |
| Hays County (Kyle) | ~2.15% | $370,000 |
| Bexar County (San Antonio) | ~2.07% | $290,000 |
Hays County's combined rate is among the highest of any county in the Austin-San Antonio corridor. Homeowners in Buda with Hays CISD pay a lower total rate (~1.91%) due to the city's lower rate, while those in Kyle or San Marcos face rates exceeding 2%.
How Hays County Property Tax Rates Have Changed
Hays County has seen significant rate increases in recent years as the county invests in infrastructure to keep pace with explosive growth:
| Year | Key Changes |
|---|---|
| 2022 | County rate at $0.3075; Hays CISD rate unchanged |
| 2023 | County rate unchanged at $0.3075; state homestead exemption increased to $100,000 |
| 2024 | County rate increased to $0.3500 (+13.8%); $356M budget adopted |
| 2025 | County rate increased to $0.3999 (+14.3%); Kyle city rate up 26.9%; Hays CISD VATRE rejected by voters |
Hays County's population has grown 93% since 2010 and 210% since 2000, making it one of the fastest-growing counties in Texas. Tax rates have risen as cities and the county invest in roads, public safety, and utilities to serve the growing population.
How Your Hays County Property Tax Bill Is Calculated
Your bill is calculated by subtracting exemptions from your appraised value, then applying each entity's rate to the result. Here's how that works for a Kyle homeowner with a $370,000 home and the $140,000 homestead exemption:
| Component | Amount |
|---|---|
| Appraised value | $370,000 |
| Less: School homestead exemption (SB 4 / Prop 13) | -$140,000 |
| Taxable value (school) | $230,000 |
| Hays CISD tax ($230,000 x 1.1546%) | $2,656 |
| City of Kyle ($370,000 x 0.5957%) | $2,204 |
| Hays County ($370,000 x 0.3999%) | $1,480 |
| Total estimated bill | $6,340 |
Important: The $140,000 school homestead exemption begins in 2026 under SB 4 (Proposition 13) and only reduces the ISD portion of your bill. The City of Kyle and Hays County offer separate exemptions. If your property is in a MUD, those taxes are calculated on full appraised value without a homestead reduction. Learn more about how appraised value, assessed value, and taxable value work.
Why Your Hays County Property Tax Bill May Be Higher Than Expected
Even when rates stay flat, your bill can increase for several reasons:
Rising Appraisals
The Hays Central Appraisal District revalues all properties annually. Hays County's rapid growth has driven sustained value increases. Even in 2025, with home sale prices declining 4-6% year-over-year across the county, appraised values may not yet reflect the cooling market. If your home is appraised above its current market value, you have strong grounds for a protest.
City Rate Increases
Kyle's 26.9% rate increase alone adds roughly $305 to the average homeowner's annual bill. San Marcos increased its city rate by 8%, and the county rate rose 14.3%. These increases compound when multiple entities raise rates in the same year.
School District Debt Service
Hays CISD's I&S rate of $0.4877 per $100 reflects significant bond debt. While Dripping Springs ISD has held its I&S rate at $0.35 since 2016, other districts carry higher debt loads that keep overall rates elevated.
Municipal Utility Districts (MUDs)
Many newer developments in Kyle and Buda are served by MUDs that levy additional taxes. These rates are on top of the city, county, and school district taxes and can add $0.20 to $0.50+ per $100 to your total rate.
How to Lower Your Hays County Property Taxes
With Kyle's city rate up 26.9% and county rates rising 14.3%, Hays County homeowners need to be proactive about reducing their tax burden through exemptions and protests.
1. File for Homestead Exemption
If you haven't filed for your homestead exemption, that's your first move. Beginning in 2026, the school district exemption rises to $140,000 under SB 4 (Proposition 13), saving a typical Hays CISD homeowner roughly $1,616 per year in school taxes alone. The City of Kyle, Hays County, and other entities offer additional exemptions.
The filing deadline is April 30, and you can file up to two years late to claim missed savings.
2. Protest Your Appraised Value
Home sale prices across Hays County have declined 4-6% year-over-year, but appraisals may not yet reflect that cooling market. That gap between market value and appraised value makes this a particularly strong year to protest your Hays County property tax appraisal. File before the deadline after reviewing your Notice of Appraised Value in April or May. Learn more about gathering evidence for your Hays County protest.
Get Help With Your Hays County Property Tax Protest
With home values declining while city and county rates surge, Hays County homeowners who protest their appraisals in 2026 have some of the strongest grounds for a reduction anywhere in the Austin metro.
Ballard Property Tax Protest represents homeowners across Hays 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.