Harris County, home to Houston and some 4.8 million Texans, has a property tax structure composed of 8 overlapping taxing entities. A homeowner inside Houston pays the school district, city, county, and several additional special districts — each with their own rate. This guide explains every line, how to calculate your bill, and which exemptions you are almost certainly leaving on the table.
How the bill is built
Your annual property tax bill is the product of two numbers: your property's taxable value (its appraised value minus any exemptions you qualify for) and the combined tax rate levied by every entity whose jurisdiction includes your parcel. In Harris County, the combined rate reaches approximately 2.21% for a typical Houston address, with the single largest line — school district tax — representing roughly half the bill.
The calculator to the right lets you input your appraised value and toggle the most common exemptions. The breakdown below reflects the adopted 2025 rates used to bill the 2026 tax year, drawn from the Harris County Appraisal District's official roll.
2026 Harris County rate breakdown (per $100 AV, Houston district)
| Taxing entity | Rate |
|---|
| Houston ISD | 1.0372 |
| City of Houston | 0.5196 |
| Harris County (general) | 0.3450 |
| Harris Health (hospital district) | 0.1589 |
| Harris County Flood Control | 0.0419 |
| Houston Community College | 0.0989 |
| Harris County Dept. of Education | 0.0048 |
| Port of Houston | 0.0057 |
| Combined total | 2.2120 |
Note: One of the most complex property tax structures in Texas — a typical Houston homeowner pays 7+ overlapping taxing entities.
Note: Many neighborhoods also fall under a Municipal Utility District (MUD) or Management District that adds additional levies.
Exemptions you should actually file
Residence Homestead — everyone who owns their primary residence
As of 2023, Texas exempts the first $100,000 of your home's value from school district property tax. The exemption must be filed with HCAD by April 30 of the tax year for which you want it to apply. There is no fee. You need a Texas driver's license or ID showing the property address and proof of ownership.
Over-65 or Disabled — additional $10,000 school, plus tax ceiling
Homeowners who are 65 or older receive an additional $10,000 school district exemption, and their school district taxes are frozen at the amount owed the year they turned 65. They cannot go up even if rates or appraisals increase.
100% Disabled Veteran — full exemption
Veterans with a 100% service-connected disability pay zero property tax on their primary residence. Partial disability ratings receive partial exemptions on a sliding scale.
Protesting your appraisal
The single highest-ROI hour a Houston-area homeowner can spend each year is filing a protest with HCAD, which must be submitted by May 15 (or 30 days after you receive your notice, whichever is later). Roughly half of all Texas homeowners who protest receive some reduction in their appraised value.
Cities and towns in Harris County
Harris County contains 30 incorporated municipalities, ranging from Houston to the smallest village. Search volume for property tax is often city-specific, so here is the complete list — with population from the 2020 US Census, rounded to the nearest 100.
Data: US Census Bureau, 2020 Decennial Census. Populations rounded. Cities marked as "split" straddle a county border — the portion inside Harris County is subject to Harris County's tax rolls, while the portion outside is subject to the adjacent county's.
| City or town | Type | Population (2020) |
| Houston County seat Split | city | 2,302,000 |
| Pasadena | city | 151,900 |
| Baytown Split | city | 83,700 |
| Missouri City Split | city | 74,100 |
| La Porte | city | 35,100 |
| Deer Park | city | 34,700 |
| Katy Split | city | 21,900 |
| Bellaire | city | 17,200 |
| Humble | city | 16,800 |
| South Houston | city | 16,800 |
| West University Place | city | 14,900 |
| Seabrook | city | 13,200 |
| Tomball | city | 12,300 |
| Webster | city | 11,600 |
| Galena Park | city | 10,600 |
| Jacinto City | city | 10,400 |
| Jersey Village | city | 7,700 |
| Nassau Bay | city | 5,200 |
| Hunters Creek Village | city | 4,400 |
| Spring Valley Village | city | 4,200 |
| Bunker Hill Village | city | 3,700 |
| Taylor Lake Village | city | 3,600 |
| Piney Point Village | city | 3,100 |
| Waller Split | city | 3,000 |
| El Lago | city | 2,700 |
| Hedwig Village | city | 2,700 |
| Southside Place | city | 1,800 |
| Shoreacres | city | 1,500 |
| Hilshire Village | city | 800 |
| Morgan's Point | city | 400 |
About city-level property tax rates: The rate breakdown and calculator on this page reflect the Houston tax district. Other cities in Harris County may pay into different school districts, city rates, and special districts — so their combined rates can differ, sometimes substantially. Always verify the specific rates for your address with the Harris County Appraisal District before relying on any estimate.
Compare with neighboring counties
Frequently asked questions
When are Harris County property taxes due?
Texas property tax bills are mailed in October for the current tax year and are due by January 31 of the following year. Payments postmarked February 1 or later begin accruing penalties and interest.
What if I think my appraisal is too high?
File a Notice of Protest (Form 50-132) with HCAD by May 15 or 30 days after your notice is mailed, whichever is later. You'll first have an informal meeting; unresolved cases go to the Appraisal Review Board.
About this site's data and estimates. The Property Tax Almanac is an independent editorial reference. It is not affiliated with any government agency, tax assessor, or tax preparation service. The calculators and data on this site are informational and are not a substitute for advice from a qualified tax professional, attorney, or your official county assessor or appraisal district.
Accuracy, sources, and scope. Tax rate data is compiled from publicly available sources — including the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, the Indiana Department of Local Government Finance, individual county appraisal and assessor offices, and the US Census Bureau — and is believed to be accurate as of the "revised" date shown on each page. Rates change annually (and sometimes mid-year) through local budget adoptions, legislative action, and voter-approved measures. Rates displayed reflect the primary tax district of the county seat; rates in other cities, school districts, Municipal Utility Districts (MUDs), Emergency Services Districts (ESDs), and special taxing units within the same county may be meaningfully higher or lower. Census population figures are from the 2020 Decennial Census and are rounded to the nearest 100.
How to use these estimates. The calculator produces a rough estimate based on the county seat's combined rate, statutory deductions and exemptions available statewide, and the value you enter. Your actual bill depends on your specific parcel's assessed or appraised value, the exact taxing entities covering your address, any local-option exemptions you qualify for, any assessment caps or circuit-breaker protections, and any appeal or protest outcomes. For an authoritative figure, consult your county appraisal district (Texas) or county assessor and auditor (Indiana). The contact information for the primary authority in each county is listed at the top of that county's page.
No legal or tax advice; no warranty. Nothing on this site constitutes legal, tax, financial, investment, or real estate advice. The Property Tax Almanac, its authors, and its publisher make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability, or availability of the content on this site. Any reliance you place on the information is strictly at your own risk. We are not liable for any loss or damage — including without limitation, indirect or consequential loss or damage — arising from the use of this site or from decisions made based on its content.
Found an error? Property tax rules are complex and change often. If you spot an inaccuracy, please contact us — corrections help every reader who comes after you.