Cato, Cayuga County, New York Property Taxes
Property Taxes in Cato, New York
Median Cato, New York effective property tax rate: 2.06%, significantly higher than the national median of 1.02%, and higher than the New York state median of 1.90%.
Median Cato, New York home value: $147,500
Median annual Cato, New York tax bill: $2,992, $592 higher than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.
How are property taxes in Cayuga calculated?
Property taxes in Cato, New York 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 Cato's property tax system, exemptions, and reduction opportunities can lead to significant savings. Regardless of where you live in Cato, knowing local tax details benefits homeowners and investors.
Last Updated April 13, 2026
Cato, Cayuga County, New York Property Tax Bill Calculator
$100,000
$1,500,000
$3,000,000
Median Effective Tax Rate
2.06%
Estimate Property Tax Bill
$3,039
$2,820
How Does the Cato Property Tax Calculator Work?
Use this Cato property tax calculator to estimate your annual property tax bill. Enter your property's assessed value and our calculator applies Cato's median effective tax rate of 2.06% — based on actual property records in Cayuga County — to generate your estimate.
Enter your property's estimated assessed value — the figure the local assessment office uses to calculate your bill, which reflects any exemptions you hold and is typically lower than your home's market value. Our calculator applies Cato's median effective rate across all local levies, providing a more accurate estimate than applying a single county millage rate.
Cato's median effective tax rate is higher than the New York median tax rate of 1.90%, and the median property tax bill is $2,992, which is $592 higher than the state median. Your bill may vary by ZIP code within Cato, with the highest and lowest median tax bill both at $2,992 in 13033.
For a more precise estimate, scroll down to explore ZIP code-level tax rate trends across Cato.
About Cato Property Taxes
About Property Taxes in Cato, Cayuga, New York
Cato’s median effective property tax rate of 2.06% is higher than the New York state median of 1.90% and higher than the national median of 1.02%. This rate reflects the Cayuga County base levy combined with local school district levies and special district levies that vary by subdivision throughout the city.
Property tax rates are not uniform across Cato. Homeowners in the 13033 ZIP code carry a median effective rate of 2.06%, while those in the same ZIP code pay 2.06%. This spread reflects how school district boundaries and local assessment districts are drawn across Cayuga County. Understanding which part of Cato you live in can make a meaningful difference to your annual tax bill.
Cato homeowners who believe their assessed value is too high can file a formal appeal with the Assessment Review Commission before the May 26, 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 Cato, Cayuga County, New York
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 Cato's effective property tax rate to other cities in New York and the median property tax rates in New York and the U.S.
Our median effective property tax rate (tax bill Ă· 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 Cato Tax Rate
2.06%
Our median effective property tax rate (tax bill Ă· 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 Cayuga County Tax Rate
1.94%
Median Effective New York Tax Rate
1.90%
Median Effective United States Tax Rate
1.02%
Property Tax Rates Across Cato, Cayuga County, New York
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Rate | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13033 | 1.11% | 1.71% | 2.06% | 2.29% | 2.64% |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Cato, Cayuga County, New York
When examining property taxes in Cato, New York, 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. Cayuga County 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 Cayuga 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 Cato.
For example, the median home price in Cato is $147,500, with tax bills ranging significantly across the county. 13033 has the highest median home price at $147,500.
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Cato, Cayuga County, New York
Source: Ownwell
$119,149
$322,190
$525,231
Median Cato Market Value
$147,500
Median Cayuga County Market Value
$168,636
Median New York Market Value
$312,500
Median United States Market Value
$235,294
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Cato, Cayuga County, New York
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Home Price | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13033 | $62,406 | $106,143 | $147,500 | $211,356 | $300,286 |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Bills Across Cato, Cayuga County, New York
Property tax bills in Cato are based on the assessed value of a home and the local tax rate set by taxing authorities in Cayuga County. When a property is reassessed, its market value is reviewed and that value helps determine the final bill. For a home with a median price of $147,500, the tax bill can vary widely depending on location, exemptions, and local levies.
Homeowners in Cato typically see bills that reflect how their property compares with others in the area. The 25th percentile tax bill is $1,899, while the 75th percentile is $4,292 and the 90th percentile reaches $5,999. The median tax bill in the area is $2,992, which is above the national median property tax bill of $2,400 and above the national median property tax rate of 1.02%. That means property taxes can take a larger share of a homeowner’s budget, especially if assessed values rise faster than expected.
Median Cato Tax Bill
$2,992
Median Cayuga County Tax Bill
$3,048
Median New York Tax Bill
$5,420
Median United States Tax Bill
$2,400
Property Tax Bills Across Cato, Cayuga County, New York
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Bill | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13033 | $1,007 | $1,899 | $2,992 | $4,292 | $5,999 |
Source: Ownwell
Don't miss the deadline to file a grievance!
Dates | |
|---|---|
| Appeal Deadline | May 26 |
Links | |
|---|---|
| Cayuga Assessment Review Commission | |
| Website | ccgis.cayugacounty.us |