Texas has no state income tax, which means local governments rely heavily on property taxes to fund schools, roads, emergency services, and infrastructure. The result is that Texas property tax rates are among the highest in the country - but they vary significantly depending on where you live.
We serve homeowners across 18 Texas counties, and the difference between the highest and lowest combined rates is nearly a full percentage point. On a $350,000 home, that gap translates to roughly $2,450 per year.
Below is a side-by-side comparison of property tax rates across every county we serve, along with rankings, key takeaways, and what you can do to lower your bill.
Property Tax Rates Across 18 Texas Counties
This table shows the typical combined property tax rate for a homeowner in the primary city of each county. Rates include all taxing entities: county, school district, city, and any special districts.
| County | Total Rate | County Rate | Median Home Value | Est. Annual Tax | vs. State Avg (1.60%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bexar | 2.27% | 0.300% | $290,000 | $6,576 | +0.67% |
| Brazoria | 2.26% | 0.305% | $340,000 | $7,678 | +0.66% |
| Tarrant | 2.24% | 0.186% | $342,000 | $7,638 | +0.64% |
| Dallas | 2.22% | 0.216% | $350,000 | $7,777 | +0.62% |
| Hays | 2.15% | 0.400% | $370,000 | $7,956 | +0.55% |
| Travis | 2.07% | 0.376% | $515,000 | $10,823 | +0.47% |
| Ellis | 2.05% | 0.274% | $380,000 | $7,798 | +0.45% |
| Harris | 2.03% | 0.385% | $320,000 | $6,498 | +0.43% |
| Denton | 1.99% | 0.186% | $450,000 | $8,947 | +0.39% |
| Kaufman | 1.99% | 0.278% | $350,000 | $6,951 | +0.39% |
| Bell | 1.98% | 0.313% | $260,000 | $5,153 | +0.38% |
| Montgomery | 1.91% | 0.377% | $335,000 | $6,397 | +0.31% |
| Fort Bend | 1.84% | 0.422% | $380,000 | $6,984 | +0.24% |
| Comal | 1.79% | 0.269% | $400,000 | $7,155 | +0.19% |
| Collin | 1.71% | 0.149% | $500,000 | $8,539 | +0.11% |
| Williamson | 1.68% | 0.414% | $420,000 | $7,051 | +0.08% |
| Galveston | 1.58% | 0.326% | $335,000 | $5,279 | -0.02% |
| Rockwall | 1.57% | 0.255% | $450,000 | $7,060 | -0.03% |
Note: Total rates shown are for the primary city in each county and include all overlapping taxing entities. Actual rates vary by address depending on which school district, city, and special districts apply. Estimated annual tax bills are calculated before homestead exemptions.
Counties With the Highest Tax Rates
If you live in one of these counties, you are paying some of the highest property tax rates in the state:
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Bexar County (San Antonio) - At roughly 2.27%, Bexar County's combined rate is the highest among the counties we serve. The primary drivers are city of San Antonio taxes, Alamo Community College District, and University Health System. Read the full Bexar County rate breakdown.
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Brazoria County (Pearland/Lake Jackson) - Brazoria's 2.26% rate is driven by multiple special districts and above-average school district rates. Despite being just south of Houston, Brazoria's rate is noticeably higher than neighboring Harris County. Read the full Brazoria County rate breakdown.
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Tarrant County (Fort Worth) - At 2.24%, Tarrant County ranks third highest. Fort Worth ISD's rate is one of the larger components. However, Tarrant has one of the lowest county-only rates at just 0.186%. Read the full Tarrant County rate breakdown.
Counties With the Highest Dollar Burden
A low rate does not always mean a low tax bill. When you factor in home values, the ranking shifts:
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Travis County (Austin) - $10,823/year. Despite a mid-range rate (2.07%), Travis County's median home value of $515,000 pushes the annual bill well above every other county on this list.
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Denton County - $8,947/year. Higher home values in areas like Frisco and Flower Mound combine with a 1.99% rate to produce the second-highest dollar burden.
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Collin County - $8,539/year. Collin has one of the lowest rates (1.71%) but a median home value of $500,000, resulting in a bill that exceeds many higher-rate counties.
Counties With the Lowest Tax Rates
These counties offer the most favorable combined rates:
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Rockwall County - At 1.57%, Rockwall has the lowest combined rate among our service counties. It is one of only two counties below the state average of 1.60%. Read the full Rockwall County rate breakdown.
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Galveston County - Galveston's 1.58% rate is just below the state average. Rates can climb to nearly 1.96% in some parts of the county depending on your specific taxing entities. Read the full Galveston County rate breakdown.
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Williamson County - At 1.68%, Williamson County benefits from lower school district rates in some areas. Read the full Williamson County rate breakdown.
How Texas Property Tax Rates Are Set
Your property tax rate is not a single number set by one entity. It is the sum of rates from every taxing jurisdiction that covers your property. A typical Texas homeowner pays taxes to:
- County government - Funds county roads, courts, sheriff, and administration
- School district (ISD) - Usually the largest portion of your tax bill
- City/municipality - If you live within city limits
- Special districts - Hospital districts, community college districts, MUDs, emergency service districts, and others
Each entity sets its own rate independently during annual budget hearings. Texas law requires two key rate calculations:
- No-new-revenue rate - The rate that would generate the same total revenue as the prior year (accounting for new construction)
- Voter-approval rate - The maximum rate an entity can adopt without triggering a voter election
When any entity exceeds its voter-approval rate, residents have the right to petition for a rollback election.
How to Lower Your Property Tax Bill
You cannot change the tax rate, but you can reduce your assessed value - which directly lowers your bill. There are two primary ways to do this:
Homestead Exemption
If your property is your primary residence, you qualify for a homestead exemption that reduces your taxable value by $100,000 for school district taxes. Many counties and cities offer additional exemptions on top of this. If you have not filed for your homestead exemption, do that first - it is free money.
Property Tax Protest
Every Texas homeowner has the right to protest their appraised value each year. If the appraisal district has your home valued higher than comparable sales support, a protest can reduce your assessed value and lower your bill.
At Ballard Property Tax Protest, we handle the entire process for you - from filing the protest to representing you at the hearing. You only pay if we save you money.
The protest deadline is May 15, 2026. Start your protest today.
County-by-County Summaries
Harris County
Houston and surrounding areas. Combined rate of approximately 2.03% with a median home value of $320,000. Harris has one of the highest county-only rates at 0.385%, but the total rate is moderated by lower special district levies in some areas. Full Harris County rate breakdown.
Dallas County
Dallas and surrounding cities. Combined rate of approximately 2.22% on a median home value of $350,000. The city of Dallas and Dallas ISD are the two largest rate components. Full Dallas County rate breakdown.
Tarrant County
Fort Worth and Arlington. Combined rate of approximately 2.24% on a median home value of $342,000. Despite the high total rate, Tarrant's county-only rate (0.186%) is among the lowest. Full Tarrant County rate breakdown.
Collin County
Plano, McKinney, and Frisco (partial). Combined rate of approximately 1.71% on a median home value of $500,000. Collin has the lowest county-only rate (0.149%) among our service counties, though high home values push the dollar amount above many higher-rate counties. Full Collin County rate breakdown.
Denton County
Denton, Flower Mound, and Lewisville. Combined rates range from 1.66% to 1.99% depending on location. Median home value of $450,000 in the City of Denton. Full Denton County rate breakdown.
Travis County
Austin and surrounding areas. Combined rate of approximately 2.07% on a median home value of $515,000 - the highest in our service area. Travis County homeowners face the largest annual tax bills in absolute dollars. Full Travis County rate breakdown.
Bexar County
San Antonio and surrounding areas. Combined rate of approximately 2.27% - the highest among the counties we serve. Median home value of $290,000 keeps dollar amounts lower than some higher-value counties despite the steep rate. Full Bexar County rate breakdown.
Fort Bend County
Sugar Land, Missouri City, and Katy (partial). Combined rate of approximately 1.84% on a median home value of $380,000. Fort Bend has the highest county-only rate (0.422%) when including the drainage district. Full Fort Bend County rate breakdown.
Montgomery County
The Woodlands, Conroe, and surrounding areas. Combined rate of approximately 1.91% on a median home value of $335,000. Full Montgomery County rate breakdown.
Williamson County
Round Rock, Cedar Park, and Georgetown. Combined rate of approximately 1.68% on a median home value of $420,000. One of the lower total rates in the Austin metro despite a higher county-only rate. Full Williamson County rate breakdown.
Hays County
San Marcos, Kyle, and Buda. Combined rate of approximately 2.15% on a median home value of $370,000. Hays has one of the higher county-only rates at 0.400%. Full Hays County rate breakdown.
Galveston County
Galveston, League City, and Texas City. Combined rates range from 1.58% to 1.96% depending on location. Median home value of $335,000. Full Galveston County rate breakdown.
Brazoria County
Pearland, Lake Jackson, and Angleton. Combined rate of approximately 2.26% on a median home value of $340,000 - the second highest rate among our service counties. Full Brazoria County rate breakdown.
Bell County
Killeen, Temple, and Belton. Combined rate of approximately 1.98% on a median home value of $260,000 - the lowest median value and lowest annual dollar amount in our service area. Full Bell County rate breakdown.
Comal County
New Braunfels and surrounding areas. Combined rate of approximately 1.79% on a median home value of $400,000. Comal is growing rapidly and benefits from relatively moderate rates. Full Comal County rate breakdown.
Ellis County
Waxahachie, Midlothian, and Ennis. Combined rate of approximately 2.05% on a median home value of $380,000. Full Ellis County rate breakdown.
Kaufman County
Forney, Terrell, and Kaufman. Combined rate of approximately 1.99% on a median home value of $350,000. One of the fastest-growing counties in the DFW metro. Full Kaufman County rate breakdown.
Rockwall County
Rockwall and Royse City. Combined rate of approximately 1.57% - the lowest in our service area - on a median home value of $450,000. Full Rockwall County rate breakdown.
Lower Your Property Tax Bill Today
No matter which county you live in, you have the right to protest your property's appraised value. A successful protest means a lower assessed value and a smaller tax bill - even if the rates stay the same.
At Ballard Property Tax Protest, we handle everything from filing to representation. You only pay if we save you money.
