Most Austin homeowners who challenged their assessment last year came out ahead. In our 2025 protest analysis, Travis County homeowners who protested saved an average of $1,267 in the metro, the highest in the Central Texas region.
For 2026, the picture shifts. Four of the five taxing units on a typical Austin bill raised their rates, and one cut it. Below, we break down every change to Austin's 2026 property tax rates and what it means for your bill. We also cover how to reduce your Travis County property taxes.
Austin Property Tax Rates 2026: What Changed and Why
Yes, taxes went up for most Austin owners. Four of the five units on a typical City of Austin and Austin Independent School District (AISD) bill raised their rates. Only Austin ISD cut its rate. The combined rate climbed from $2.046485 to $2.121064 per $100 of taxable value, about 3.6%.
Rates are quoted per $100 of taxable value. The City of Austin's move was the largest in cents. Here is how all five units compare, with each rate's adoption date.
Taxing Unit | 2025 Rate | 2026 Rate | Change | Adopted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
City of Austin | $0.524017 | $0.579948 | +$0.055931 (~10.7%) | Aug. 12, 2026 |
Travis County | $0.375845 | $0.386210 | +$0.010365 (~2.8%) | Sept. 2026 |
Central Health | $0.118023 | $0.132863 | +$0.014840 (~12.6%) | Sept. 15, 2026 |
Austin Community College | $0.1034 | $0.103643 | +~0.2% | Sept. 14, 2026 |
Austin ISD | $0.9252 | $0.9184 | -$0.0068 (~0.7%) | Sept. 24, 2026 |
Combined | $2.046485 | $2.121064 | +$0.074579 (~3.6%) | — |
Independent reporting on where Austin property taxes go this year confirms the Austin City Council adopted a rate of $0.579948 per $100 on Aug. 12, up from $0.524017. The county, hospital district, and community college rates followed in September.
Why the City of Austin Rate Rose About 10.7%
The City adopted $0.579948, its voter-approval rate. That is the highest rate Texas lets a city set without holding an election. The no-new-revenue rate, which would have collected the same revenue as last year, was $0.535466.
This is how the increase happened without a public vote. Under state law, a city can adopt up to its voter-approval rate each year, and in 2026 that ceiling landed above the prior year's number.
The City's adopted 2026 tax rate budget raises $89,349,535 more in property-tax revenue than last year, a 7.4% increase. For a typical homesteaded property, the city alone added about $113.76 more per year, or $9.48 per month.
This follows voters' rejection of Proposition Q, a proposed city tax-rate increase, in November 2025. The City's recalculated voter-approval rate landed even higher this year, and the Council adopted it without an election.
How Much Are You Over Paying?
Travis County, Central Health, and ACC Also Went Up
Travis County rose to $0.386210, its voter-approval ceiling, a 2.8% increase. The county sets the value through its appraisal district and the rate through the Commissioners Court.
Central Health, the county's hospital district, rose the most in percentage terms, up 12.6% to $0.132863. Austin Community College (ACC) barely moved, up about 0.2% to $0.103643. You can track local rates and values on our Travis County property tax data page.
Why Austin ISD's Rate Went Down
Austin ISD cut its rate from $0.9252 to $0.9184, a drop of about 0.7%. That looks like relief, but the school district is the biggest line on your bill.
A small rate cut can be outweighed by a higher assessed value. The school portion also carries the largest exemption: the state homestead exemption applies only to school taxes.
You can review which Texas homestead exemptions apply before assuming the cut lowers your total.
Will My 2026 Bill Actually Go Up? Rates vs. Values
The rate is only half the story. Your bill depends on both the rate and your taxable value, and this year the value side matters as much as the rate.
Here is the formula every Austin owner should know:
Taxable Value × Combined Rate ÷ 100 = Your Annual Tax Bill
Consider a $500,000 Austin ISD home with a homestead exemption on file. The City of Austin applies a 20% homestead exemption, so the city taxable value is $400,000. Here is the city portion before and after the new rate:
Line Item | Before (2025) | After (2026) |
|---|---|---|
City taxable value | $400,000 | $400,000 |
City rate per $100 | $0.524017 | $0.579948 |
City tax bill | $2,096 | $2,320 |
Annual increase | — | +$224 |
A higher rate raises your bill only if your taxable value stays the same or rises. For most homeowners, the state's 10% homestead cap limits annual growth in taxable value. That makes the rate the main mover this year.
Our Travis County data shows the value side has not cooled. Assessed values for homesteaded parcels still rose about 1.9% from 2025 to 2026, even as the for-sale market barely moved. Assessed values have been catching up to prior market gains while the resale market flattened.
Where a home's market value fell below its capped value, the lower number wins and can offset the rate increase. Where assessed value kept climbing, you may see a higher bill from value on top of the higher rate.
Rentals, second homes, land, and small commercial property face a separate risk. A temporary 20% "circuit breaker" cap under Texas Tax Code Section 23.231 has limited non-homestead appraised-value growth since 2024. It is set to expire December 31, 2026 unless the Legislature renews it.
Lawmakers did not renew it in the 2025 session, and will next convene in January 2027. If it lapses, those values can reset toward full market value in 2027. That is a potential one-year jump owners should plan for now.
Your Neighbors Might Be Paying Less...
Homestead Exemptions to Check Right Now
Filing the right exemptions is the fastest way to blunt a rate increase. A homestead exemption lowers the taxable value the rate applies to, so it reduces your bill directly.
Key point: The general school homestead exemption is the $140,000 homestead exemption, confirmed by the Texas Comptroller for school district taxes.
Key point: Owners who are 65 or older or disabled qualify for an added $60,000 school exemption, stacking to $200,000.
Key point: The City of Austin, Travis County, and Central Health each apply a 20% local-option homestead exemption, with a $5,000 minimum.
The homestead filing deadline is April 30. If you missed it for 2026, Texas lets you file retroactively for up to two years, so it is worth checking your records now.
Unsure Which Exemptions You Qualify For?
When Your 2026 Bill Is Due
Travis County mails bills around October 2026. For the 2026 tax year, you must pay the Travis County Tax Assessor-Collector by Feb. 1, 2027.
The usual due date is Jan. 31, but in 2027 it falls on a Sunday, so it rolls to the next business day, Feb. 1. Penalties and interest begin once the bill becomes delinquent after that deadline. The valuation date is Jan. 1, and the appraisal district mails single-family notices by about April 1.
Planning Your 2027 Protest
You cannot protest the rate, but you can protest your appraised value, and value is the one lever you control. Protesting your value is often the most reliable way to cut your bill.
Your window is the May 15 protest deadline, or the 30th day after the appraisal district delivered your notice of appraised value, whichever is later. You can file a protest with Travis Central Appraisal District (TCAD) on market value or unequal appraisal. The Appraisal Review Board (ARB) cannot raise your value for filing.
Rental owners face different math. Non-homestead property has no 10% homestead cap, so a protest is frequently the only tool available. Our step-by-step guide covers how to protest your Texas property taxes for the 2027 cycle.
How Ownwell Can Help Austinites
At Ownwell, we handle your property tax protest from start to finish on contingency. There are no upfront costs, and you pay only if we save you money. Our Texas contingency fee is 25% of what you save.
Our local Travis County experts build your evidence, file your protest, and attend hearings on your behalf. We also help with homestead and other exemptions year after year.
Our customers receive a reduction 88% of the time and save an average of $774 a year. You can see your savings estimate in about 15 seconds or review how our contingency pricing works first.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did Austin Property Taxes Go Up for 2026?
Yes, for most owners. Four of the five taxing units raised their rates, and the combined rate rose about 3.6%, though Austin ISD cut its rate slightly.
What Is the City of Austin Property Tax Rate for 2026?
The City of Austin rate is $0.579948 per $100 of taxable value for 2026, up from $0.524017. The Council adopted it on Aug. 12, 2026.
Why Did the City Rate Rise Without an Election?
Texas lets a city adopt up to its voter-approval rate each year without a public vote. In 2026, that recalculated rate landed above the 2025 figure.
When Are My 2026 Austin Property Taxes Due?
Your 2026 payment is due by Feb. 1, 2027. The usual Jan. 31 due date moves to the next business day because Jan. 31, 2027 is a Sunday.
Can I Lower My 2026 Bill if the Rate Already Passed?
You cannot change the rate, but you can still lower your bill. File any homestead exemptions you qualify for and protest your appraised value by the May 15 deadline.
