Property Taxes in Birmingham, Alabama
Median Birmingham, Alabama effective property tax rate: 0.44%, significantly lower than the national median of 1.02%, and lower than the Alabama state median of 0.47%.
Median Birmingham, Alabama home value: $443,900
Median annual Birmingham, Alabama tax bill: $2,236, $164 lower than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.
How are property taxes in Shelby calculated?
Property taxes in Birmingham, Alabama are calculated based on the tax assessed value, which is often lower than the actual market value due to property tax exemptions such as the homestead or senior exemption.
Understanding Birmingham's property tax system, exemptions, and reduction opportunities can lead to significant savings. Regardless of where you live in Birmingham, knowing local tax details benefits homeowners and investors.
Last Updated April 13, 2026
How Does the Birmingham Property Tax Calculator Work?
Use this Birmingham property tax calculator to estimate your annual property tax bill. Enter your property's assessed value and our calculator applies Birmingham's median effective tax rate of 0.44% — based on actual property records in Shelby County — to generate your estimate.
Enter your property's estimated assessed value — the figure the local appraisal district uses to calculate your bill, which reflects any exemptions you hold and is typically lower than your home's market value. Our calculator applies Birmingham's median effective rate across all local levies, providing a more accurate estimate than applying a single county millage rate.
Your bill may vary by ZIP code within Birmingham: rates range from $1,882.00 in 35244 to $2,262.00 in 35242, primarily due to differences in school district levies and local assessment districts.
For a more precise estimate, scroll down to explore ZIP code-level tax rate trends across Birmingham.
About Birmingham Property Taxes
About Property Taxes in Birmingham, Shelby, Alabama
Birmingham’s median effective property tax rate of 0.44% is lower than the Alabama state median of 0.47% and lower than the national median of 1.02%. This rate reflects the Shelby County base levy combined with local school district levies and special assessment districts that vary by subdivision throughout the city.
Property tax rates are not uniform across Birmingham. Homeowners in the 35244 ZIP code carry a median effective rate of 0.44%, while those in 35242 pay 0.44%. This spread reflects how school district boundaries and local assessment districts are drawn across Shelby County. Understanding which part of Birmingham you live in can make a meaningful difference to your annual tax bill.
Birmingham homeowners who believe their assessed value is too high can file a formal appeal with the Tax Assessor before the May 1, 2026 deadline each year.
If your estimated bill above seems higher than expected, Ownwell can review your assessment and protest on your behalf. You only pay if we save you money.
Property Tax Rates Across Birmingham, Shelby County, Alabama
As noted earlier, local government entities set tax rates, which can vary widely within a state.
Why? Because annually, each county estimates its required budget to provide services and divides that by the total value of all taxable property within its jurisdiction. This calculation results in the property tax rate.
While there are votes and laws involved in setting tax rates and budgets, in a nutshell, this is the annual process.
Below, you can compare Birmingham's effective property tax rate to other cities in Alabama and the median property tax rates in Alabama and the U.S.
Our median effective property tax rate (tax bill ÷ assessor's market value) accounts for exemptions and deductions, making it more accurate than the general median tax rate, which is the midpoint of statutory rates before adjustments.
Median Effective Birmingham Tax Rate
0.44%
Our median effective property tax rate (tax bill ÷ assessor's market value) accounts for exemptions and deductions, making it more accurate than the general median tax rate, which is the midpoint of statutory rates before adjustments.
Median Effective Shelby County Tax Rate
0.54%
Median Effective Alabama Tax Rate
0.47%
Median Effective United States Tax Rate
1.27%
Property Tax Rates Across Birmingham, Shelby County, Alabama
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Rate | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 35242 | 0.44% | 0.44% | 0.44% | 0.66% | 0.67% |
| 35243 | 0.44% | 0.44% | 0.44% | 0.44% | 0.79% |
| 35244 | 0.44% | 0.44% | 0.44% | 0.66% | 0.67% |
| 35209 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 35215 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 35235 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Birmingham, Shelby County, Alabama
When examining property taxes in Birmingham, Alabama, understanding the distinction between "market value" and "assessed value" is crucial.
The market value is what a willing buyer would pay to a willing seller in an open and competitive market, often influenced by location, property condition, and economic market trends. The Shelby County appraisal district estimates the market value for tax purposes.
The assessed value is the market value minus any applicable exemptions or limits determined by local laws and offerings. The tax assessed value is the figure used to calculate your property taxes or the amount multiplied by your tax rate to get your tax bill.
Assessment notices:
In Shelby County, assessment notices are sent in the spring each year. They'll typically reach your mailbox by the middle of May.
Each property owner receives an assessment notice that contains both the market value and assessed value, along with an estimate of your property tax bill. By providing insights into how assessed and market values are determined, this section helps property owners navigate their tax responsibilities and understand the valuation processes affecting their property taxes in Birmingham.
For example, the median home price in Birmingham is $443,900, with tax bills ranging significantly across the county. 35242 has the highest median home price at $447,200.
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Birmingham, Shelby County, Alabama
Source: Ownwell
$120,370
$643,960
$1,167,550
Median Birmingham Market Value
$443,900
Median Shelby County Market Value
$299,330
Median Alabama Market Value
$169,700
Median United States Market Value
$274,101
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Birmingham, Shelby County, Alabama
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Home Price | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 35242 | $278,300 | $337,500 | $447,200 | $596,600 | $780,950 |
| 35243 | $258,430 | $295,225 | $358,250 | $529,962 | $632,298 |
| 35244 | $295,800 | $335,200 | $410,100 | $540,800 | $648,700 |
| 35209 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 35215 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 35235 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Bills Across Birmingham, Shelby County, Alabama
Property tax bills in Birmingham are based on the assessed value of a home, not its market price alone. Local tax rates are applied to that assessed value to determine the annual bill, and the amount can vary depending on location within Shelby County and any applicable exemptions.
For a home with a median price of $443,900, the tax bill can differ widely from one property to another. The 25th percentile tax bill is $1,608, while the 75th percentile is $3,023 and the 90th percentile reaches $4,220. The highest median tax bill is $2,262 in ZIP code 35242, compared with $1,882 in ZIP code 35244.
These differences matter for homeowners because property taxes can significantly affect monthly housing costs and long-term affordability. Compared with the national median property tax bill of $2,400, Birmingham homeowners may see bills that are lower or higher depending on their home’s assessed value and where they live.
Median Birmingham Tax Bill
$2,236
Median Shelby County Tax Bill
$1,637
Median Alabama Tax Bill
$813
Median United States Tax Bill
$3,209
Property Tax Bills Across Birmingham, Shelby County, Alabama
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Bill | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 35242 | $1,290 | $1,629 | $2,262 | $3,004 | $4,220 |
| 35243 | $1,221 | $1,386 | $1,960 | $2,734 | $3,586 |
| 35244 | $1,325 | $1,501 | $1,882 | $3,248 | $4,227 |
| 35209 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 35215 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 35235 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Source: Ownwell
Don't miss the deadline to appeal!
Dates | |
|---|---|
| Appeal Deadline | May 1 |
Links | |
|---|---|
| Shelby Tax Assessor | |
| Website | ptc.shelbyal.com |