Texas has one of the highest property tax rates in the U.S., with an average effective property tax rate of 1.58% as of 2025, according to the Tax Foundation. This rate varies significantly by location due to multiple taxing authorities—including cities, counties, school districts, and special districts—each setting their own rates.
Statewide average: ~1.58% effective tax rate (2025).
High-rate areas: Some counties and cities exceed 2.0%, especially in rapidly growing regions like Fort Bend County (2.06%) and Travis County (1.95%) around Austin.
Low-rate areas: Rural counties like Terrell County have rates as low as 0.67%, with median taxes of just $285 annually.
Dallas, TX: The effective property tax rate is 1.49%, resulting in an average annual tax of $4,669 on a median home value.
Austin, TX: The fiscal year 2025–26 property tax rate is $0.574017 per $100 of taxable value (equivalent to 0.574%).
Property taxes are based on the appraised value of a home, and increases in assessed value—especially due to market growth—can lead to higher bills even without rate changes. Unlike California, Texas does not have a state income tax, so property taxes are a major source of local government revenue.