Property Taxes in Cortland, New York
Median Cortland, New York effective property tax rate: 1.93%, significantly higher than the national median of 1.02%, and higher than the New York state median of 1.90%.
Median Cortland, New York home value: $155,385
Median annual Cortland, New York tax bill: $3,157, $757 higher than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.
How are property taxes in Cortland calculated?
Property taxes in Cortland, 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 Cortland's property tax system, exemptions, and reduction opportunities can lead to significant savings. Regardless of where you live in Cortland, knowing local tax details benefits homeowners and investors.
Last Updated April 13, 2026
How Does the Cortland Property Tax Calculator Work?
Use this Cortland property tax calculator to estimate your annual property tax bill. Enter your property's assessed value and our calculator applies Cortland's median effective tax rate of 1.93% — based on actual property records in Cortland 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 Cortland'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 Cortland: rates are the same across ZIP code 13045, with a median tax bill of $3,157.
For a more precise estimate, scroll down to explore ZIP code-level tax rate trends across Cortland.
About Cortland Property Taxes
About Property Taxes in Cortland, Cortland, New York
Cortland’s median effective property tax rate of 1.93% is higher than the New York state median of 1.90% and higher than the national median of 1.02%. This rate reflects the Cortland 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 Cortland. Homeowners in the 13045 ZIP code carry a median effective rate of 1.93%, while those in 13045 pay 1.93%. This spread — 0 percentage points across the same city — reflects how school district boundaries and local assessment districts are drawn across Cortland County. Understanding which part of Cortland you live in can make a meaningful difference to your annual tax bill.
Cortland homeowners who believe their assessed value is too high can file a formal appeal with the local 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 Cortland, Cortland 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 Cortland'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 ÷ 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 Cortland Tax Rate
1.93%
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 Cortland County Tax Rate
1.45%
Median Effective New York Tax Rate
1.90%
Median Effective United States Tax Rate
1.27%
Property Tax Rates Across Cortland, Cortland County, New York
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Rate | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13045 | 1.30% | 1.43% | 1.93% | 2.35% | 2.42% |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Cortland, Cortland County, New York
When examining property taxes in Cortland, 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. The Cortland 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 Cortland County, assessment notices are sent in the spring each year. They'll typically reach your mailbox by the middle of the month.
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 Cortland.
For example, the median home price in Cortland is $155,385, with tax bills ranging significantly across the county. 13045 has the highest median home price at $155,385.
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Cortland, Cortland County, New York
Source: Ownwell
$96,984
$163,107
$229,230
Median Cortland Market Value
$155,385
Median Cortland County Market Value
$151,639
Median New York Market Value
$312,500
Median United States Market Value
$274,101
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Cortland, Cortland County, New York
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Home Price | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13045 | $100,000 | $125,000 | $155,385 | $214,000 | $300,769 |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Bills Across Cortland, Cortland County, New York
Property tax bills in Cortland are based on the assessed value of a home and the local tax rate set by taxing authorities. When a property’s assessed value rises, the tax bill usually increases as well, while a lower assessment can reduce what a homeowner owes. Local budgets, school funding, and other municipal needs all play a role in determining the final bill.
For Cortland homeowners, the median home price is $155,385, and the median property tax bill is $3,157, which is above the national median property tax bill of $2,400. That means many homeowners in the city pay more than the typical U.S. homeowner. Tax bills can vary widely, with the 25th percentile at $2,329 and the 75th percentile at $3,960, showing how differences in assessed value and local rates affect what residents owe.
Median Cortland Tax Bill
$3,157
Median Cortland County Tax Bill
$2,581
Median New York Tax Bill
$5,420
Median United States Tax Bill
$3,209
Property Tax Bills Across Cortland, Cortland County, New York
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Bill | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13045 | $1,582 | $2,329 | $3,157 | $3,960 | $5,036 |
Source: Ownwell
Don't miss the deadline to file a grievance!
Dates | |
|---|---|
| Appeal Deadline | May 26 |
Links | |
|---|---|
| Cortland Assessment Review Commission | |
| Website | beacon.schneidercorp.com |