The Sticker Shock of Property Taxes in Houston
The Rise of Property Taxes in Harris County
It’s time for the dreaded tax season, and Houston homeowners may be getting sticker shock looking at their property tax bills in 2025. According to a recent report by information services provider CoreLogic, Harris County property taxes have skyrocketed among the highest levels in the U.S.
The Growth in Tax Rates and Housing Prices
The property tax report analyzed the growth in tax rates and housing prices across all 50 states and the most populous U.S. counties. From 2019 to 2024, Harris County taxes increased 25.4 percent, or 5.1 percent year-over-year. This places Houston 12th on the list of the top 15 counties with the highest five-year property tax increases nationwide.
The Impact on Homeowners and Renters
Property tax hikes follow a similar rise in housing prices, thus putting more pressure on homeowners and first-time homebuyers. The report’s findings revealed Texas housing prices have ballooned by 42 percent over the last five years. And there’s no sign of relief without changes on the federal level, the report adds.
Higher Taxes, Higher Rents
Higher taxes also have ramifications for renters, who see these costs passed down from landlords in the form of higher rent prices. This may send more renters outside the city in search of more affordable areas.
The Top 15 Counties with the Highest Five-Year Property Tax Increases
No. 1 on the list was Broward County in Florida, home to cities such as Fort Lauderdale and Pompano Beach, which had the biggest increase in taxes at 56.8 percent. No. 2 was also in Florida: Miami-Dade County, which endured a 49.5 percent hike in property taxes. Elsewhere in Texas, Dallas County tied for the No. 3 with San Bernardino County in California, which also had a 32.7 percent increase. Tarrant County was not far behind, coming in at No. 11 on the list with a startling 29.3 percent tax hike during the five-year period, the report found.
Property Taxes in 2024
In 2024 alone, Harris County residents paid a median $5,721 in property taxes, which is the seventh most expensive property tax among the most populous U.S. counties. Fort Worth residents in Tarrant counties paid the second most expensive taxes last year, at $6,633, while Dallas County residents paid the third priciest median taxes ($6,409).
The State-by-State Analysis
According to a state-by-state analysis, Texans paid a median $5,105 in property taxes last year, reflecting a 35.3 percent increase from 2019. Texas’ median property tax is far higher than the national median, which came out to $3,018.
Conclusion
As many Texans are aware, it’s a high price to pay for not having any income tax and no annual vehicle taxes. While some areas of the country will always be more expensive than others, the national trend toward more expensive properties and greater property tax liabilities is clear. Already, the nation’s tax bills have climbed an average of 27 percent from 2019 to 2024. Short of government-led changes, homeowners will continue to contend with rising property taxes year after year.
FAQs
Q: What is the average property tax in Harris County?
A: The average property tax in Harris County is $5,721.
Q: What is the average property tax in Tarrant County?
A: The average property tax in Tarrant County is $6,409.
Q: What is the average property tax in Dallas County?
A: The average property tax in Dallas County is $6,633.
Q: What is the national average property tax?
A: The national average property tax is $3,018.
Q: Why are property taxes increasing?
A: Property taxes are increasing due to rising housing prices and growing tax rates.
Q: What can homeowners do to reduce their property taxes?
A: Homeowners can consider appealing their property tax assessment or exploring other tax-reduction options with their local government.
