When you’re preparing to purchase a home, there are certain expenses you’ll need to calculate in order to find out what your overall monthly payment will be. One key expense to plan for is the amount of property taxes that will be owed annually in your selected neighborhood. Since the professionals at John Daugherty, Realtors have extensive experience helping clients purchase homes in the Houston area, this is where you can learn more about Harris County property taxes, along with surrounding communities in Fort Bend, Montgomery, Brazoria, and Galveston Counties.

Please note, while property tax rates in Texas are higher than 43 other states, this is primarily due to the fact the state does not impose an income tax.

Harris County Property Taxes Compared to Other Areas 

Harris County spans the widest radius in Greater Houston and holds the largest population in the state of Texas. In addition to the populous Houston Metropolitan area itself, Harris County covers southwest neighborhoods such as Bellaire, west to parts of Katy, as well as the northeast communities of Cypress, Memorial, and Tomball, north to part of Spring, and east to Pasadena and Baytown. 

Taxable property values of Harris County neighborhoods are all determined by the Harris County Appraisal District. While estimates are approximate and vary based on the specific city, Harris County’s average tax rate is 2.26% as of 2019. 

Fort Bend Property Tax Information

As of the 2010 Census, Fort Bend County carried a population of well over half a million people, and since then it has only continued to grow. Fort Bend County includes Sugar Land, Missouri City, Richmond, Rosenberg, parts of Katy, rural towns like Needville and Kendleton, and popular new communities such as Fulshear. 

Tax rates in the area can vary depending on the Fort Bend neighborhood—for example, in 2017, Sienna Plantation and Cinco Ranch held tax rates of 3.04% and 2.86%, respectively, while First Colony and Weston Lakes were only at 2.15% and 2.29%. In 2019, the average tax rate for Fort Bend County neighborhoods has hovered at around 2.39%. 

Comparing Montgomery County Property Taxes

When comparing Montgomery County property taxes, first consider the reach of the area, holding a current population of over 550,000 people. Conroe and much of The Woodlands, in particular, comprise a substantial percentage of Montgomery County’s residents. In 2017, tax rates in The Woodlands could be anywhere between 1.45 to 2.79%. However, in 2019 the average property tax rate is at an even 2%.

Brazoria County Property Tax Rates

Named after the Brazos River which runs through it, Brazoria County covers the southeast region of Texas with Harris County just to the north. Inside Brazoria County is the rapidly growing community of Pearland, which actually spans two additional counties depending on the exact location: Fort Bend and Harris. Many tax rates in Brazoria County are just below 2%, averaging roughly 1.99%. 

Property Taxes in Galveston County

Established in 1838, Galveston County covers much of the Gulf Coast. In addition to Galveston Island, League City is the most populous city in Galveston County. A considerable number of realtors in the Houston area receive inquiries about property taxes in Galveston County due to the demand for vacation homes in the region. The average annual tax rate, as of 2019, is at about 1.93%.  

Take the Next Step

John Daugherty, Realtors are excited to share with you additional Harris County property tax information, along with various advice regarding Houston’s abundance of suburban communities. Reach out to us anytime! 

Contact our Houston real estate team to learn more about property taxes for your desired neighborhood.

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