Houston Property Tax Calculator​

What is the Property Tax Rate in Houston?

Houston homeowners often face some of the highest property tax rates in the country. This is primarily due to Texas’ reliance on property taxes to fund public services, since it does not have a state income tax. In the Houston area, effective property tax rates for a primary residence can range from around 1.77% to over 2.0%. This is higher than the national average of 0.90%.

For example, based on a 1.77% effective tax rate, a homeowner with a $350,000 home in Harris County might pay around $6,195 in annual property taxes. However, the effective rate is slightly lower in Montgomery County (1.72%) and slightly higher in Fort Bend County (2.06%), both of which have neighborhoods in the Houston area.

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Are There Property Tax Exemptions in Houston?

Homeowners in Houston may qualify for several property tax exemptions that can lower their tax bill. These are offered through the Harris Central Appraisal District (HCAD), depending on your location. Common exemptions include:

• School taxes exemption: The state’s general Residence Homestead exemption for school district taxes recently increased from $40,000 to $100,000. So, if your home is valued at $200,000 and you qualify for the exemption, you’ll pay school taxes on $100,000.
• County taxes exemption: Harris County offers a 20% optional homestead exemption on taxable value for all homeowners.
• Optional exemptions:  Various taxing units (school district, city, county, special districts) may offer additional exemptions of up to 20% of your home’s value, with a minimum of $5,000.
• Over-65 exemption: Homeowners 65 or older may receive an additional $10,000 exemption for school taxes and may qualify for a school tax ceiling, preventing school tax increases unless improvements are made.
• Disability exemption:  Qualified disabled homeowners may receive a $10,000 exemption for school taxes and qualify for a school tax ceiling similar to the over-65 exemption.
• 100% Disabled Veteran exemption:  Veterans with a 100% service-connected disability rating receive a full exemption on the value of their residence homestead.
• Homestead cap:  Limits the annual increase in appraised value for tax purposes to 10% plus new improvements, starting the second year of the homestead exemption.

For more details and to apply for these exemptions, please visit the official Harris County Appraisal District (HCAD) website on property tax exemptions for homeowners.

When Are Houston Property Taxes Due?

Tax bills go out in October and November: In Houston (and generally across Texas), property taxes are billed annually and due upon receipt of the tax bill.

Payments due by January 31: The final deadline to pay without incurring penalties and interest is January 31st of the following year. If January 31st falls on a weekend or a county holiday, the deadline is extended to the next business day.

What Do Property Taxes Pay For in Houston?

In Houston, homeowner property taxes primarily pay for:

• Public schools: A significant portion of property taxes goes to local independent school districts, like Houston ISD, to fund education.
• County services: This includes funding for Harris County operations, such as roads, courts, and health services.
• City services: Your city taxes contribute to essential services provided by the City of Houston, including police, fire departments, emergency services, waste collection, and public parks.
• Special districts: Depending on your specific location, taxes may also fund special districts like municipal utility districts (MUDs) for water and sewer infrastructure, hospital districts, or junior college districts.

Yes, You Can Buy Before You Sell. Why Move Twice?

Through our Buy Before You Sell program, HomeLight can help you unlock a portion of your equity upfront to put toward your next home. You can then make a strong offer on your next home with no home sale contingency.

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What Does It Cost to Buy a Home in Houston?

How Much House Can You Afford?

Affordability in Houston depends on your income, debt, credit score, and mortgage rate. With a median household income of around $63,000 in Space City, a buyer might afford a home in the $145,000–$200,000 range using standard debt-to-income guidelines. However, with the Houston median home price coming in at $350,000, many buyers need dual incomes or additional savings to qualify.

Use HomeLight’s Home Affordability Calculator to estimate your budget based on your income, debts, and current rates.

What Down Payment Will You Need in Houston?

According to Norada Real Estate Investments, the average down payment on a house in Houston is 19%. However, down payment amounts can vary depending on loan type and credit score. While 20% used to be the expected standard, many homebuyers put down between 5% and 15%, with 3% options available for FHA and some conventional first-time buyer loans.

For a $350,000 home, here’s what your down payment could look like:

• 3% down = $10,500
• 5% down = $17,500
• 10% down = $35,000
• 15% down = $52,500
• 20% down = $70,000

Down payment assistance programs are also available in Houston, such as the City of Houston Homebuyer Assistance Program (HAP), which offers up to $50,000 to income-qualified residents. Visit the Housing and Community Development Department’s “Homebuyer Hub” to see what help might be available.

Try HomeLight’s Down Payment Calculator to see how different down payments affect your monthly payment and loan size.

How Much Are Closing Costs in Houston?

Buyers in Houston can expect to pay about 2% to 5% of the purchase price in closing costs. These may include:

• Loan origination and underwriting fees
• Title insurance and escrow fees
• Appraisal and inspection costs
• Prepaid property taxes and homeowners insurance
• Filing and recording fees

For a $350,000 home, that means estimated closing costs of $7,000 to $17,500. Use HomeLight’s Closing Costs Calculator to get a personalized estimate based on your expected Houston home purchase price.

How To Find a Trusted Houston Real Estate Agent

An experienced Houston agent can help you understand local tax rates, school districts, and development trends — and guide you toward neighborhoods that fit your lifestyle and budget.

HomeLight’s free Agent Match tool uses data from over 27 million transactions and thousands of verified reviews to match you with top Houston agents based on actual performance, not paid spotlight profiles.

Tell us a little about your buying plans and get matched today with no obligation.

Buying and Selling? Consider “Buy Before You Sell”

If you’re buying a new home in Houston but need to sell your current property first, HomeLight’s Buy Before You Sell program can simplify the entire process. This modern solution helps you unlock equity from your current home so you can make a non-contingent offer on your new home — and only move once. Watch the short video below to see how it works.