How is this Texas county comparison calculated?

For each county, the calculator applies a representative taxing-unit stack (a major city plus school district plus the countywide units) at each unit's current adopted rate to the home value you enter, subtracting the $140,000 homestead exemption (plus $60,000 if over-65) from the school portion. It is an estimate for comparison; your exact bill depends on your specific city, school district, and special districts.

Texas Property Tax Comparison: Harris vs Dallas vs Tarrant

What would the same home cost in property taxes across the biggest Texas metros? Enter one home value to compare the estimated annual property tax in Harris County (Houston), Dallas County, Tarrant County (Fort Worth), Bexar County (San Antonio), Travis County (Austin), Collin County (Plano), and Denton County (Denton) side by side, using each county's combined adopted taxing-unit rates.

Compare the Same Home Across Counties

Home value (appraised value) (applied to every county)

Apply residence homestead exemption Subtracts the $140,000 school homestead exemption in each county. Owner is 65 or older (or disabled) Adds the $60,000 over-65 school exemption in each county.

Estimated Annual Property Tax by County

County	Combined rate	Est. annual tax	vs lowest

Estimate only, for comparison. Each county uses a representative city plus school district plus the countywide units at current adopted rates, with the homestead/over-65 exemption on the school portion. Your exact bill depends on your specific city, school district, and special districts. Local city/county homestead percentage exemptions are not included.

Why Texas Property Taxes Vary by County

Texas has no single county property tax rate. Your bill is the sum of every taxing unit that overlaps your property: the school district, city, county, and special districts (hospital, college, water, flood control, and more). Each sets its own rate, and they add up per parcel. That is why the same $400,000 home can owe a different amount in Houston, Dallas, and Fort Worth, and even in different cities within the same county.

This comparison uses a representative stack for each county, so treat it as a directional guide rather than an exact bill:

Harris County (Houston ISD + City of Houston + countywide units)
Fort Bend County (Fort Bend ISD + City of Sugar Land + county + drainage)
Montgomery County (Conroe ISD + City of Conroe + county + MCHD + Lone Star College)
Dallas County (Dallas ISD + City of Dallas + Parkland + Dallas College)
Tarrant County (Fort Worth ISD + City of Fort Worth + JPS + TCC + TRWD)
Bexar County (North East ISD + City of San Antonio + University Health + Alamo Colleges)
Travis County (Austin ISD + City of Austin + Central Health + ACC)
Collin County (Plano ISD + City of Plano + county + Collin College)
Denton County (Denton ISD + City of Denton + county)

For a single county in detail, use the cap projector, the protest calculator, or the over-65 calculator.

Official Sources

Texas Comptroller - Property Tax Assistance comptroller.texas.gov/taxes/property-tax
Each county's current adopted taxing-unit rates Harris County, Fort Bend County, Montgomery County, Dallas County, Tarrant County, Bexar County, Travis County, Collin County, Denton County

Rates mirror the CountyTaxTools data layer for each county's current adopted taxing-unit rates. Representative stacks are used for comparison; your exact rate depends on your city, school district, and special districts. This tool provides estimates only and is not tax advice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Texas county has the lowest property tax?

Among Harris, Dallas, Tarrant, Bexar, Travis, Collin, and Denton, the combined representative rate is lowest in Collin County (about 1.71%), then Denton County (about 1.99%), then Harris County (about 2.03%), then Travis County (about 2.05%), then Tarrant County (about 2.19%), then Dallas County (about 2.21%), then Bexar County (about 2.27%), using current adopted rates for a representative city and school district. Your actual rate depends on your exact city, school district, and special districts.

Why do Texas property taxes differ by county?

There is no single county rate. Your bill is the sum of the rates set by each taxing unit covering your property: school district, city, county, and special districts (hospital, college, water). Two equal-value homes in different counties, or different cities within a county, can owe different amounts because the stack of units and their rates differ.

How is this comparison calculated?

For each county the calculator applies a representative taxing-unit stack (a major city plus school district plus the countywide units) at current adopted rates to your home value, subtracting the $140,000 homestead exemption (plus $60,000 if over-65) from the school portion. It is an estimate for comparison; your exact bill depends on your specific city, school district, and special districts.