Erie County, New York Property Taxes

What Are Effective Property Tax Rates Across Erie County?

Local government entities set tax rates, which vary widely across Erie County. Each year, the county estimates its budget for public services and divides that total by the assessed value of all taxable property within its jurisdiction.

Below, compare Erie County's effective property tax rate to other counties in New York or the U.S. median of 1.02%.

Erie County's median effective rate stands at 0.31%, which is lower than the national median of 1.02%. Within Erie County, the highest rate is found in Hamburg at 1.97%, while Orchard Park has the lowest at 1.16%.

These variations reflect differences in local school district levies, special district levies assessments, and special district bonds — which compound the base county rate.

Property tax bills in Erie County are based on the assessed value of a home, not its market price alone. Local taxing authorities apply the tax rate to that assessed value to determine the amount a homeowner owes each year. The final bill can also reflect exemptions and other local factors that may reduce or increase the total.

For many homeowners, the size of the bill depends on where the property is located and how its assessment compares with similar homes. Erie County shows a wide range of tax bills, with the 25th percentile at $218 and the 75th percentile at $669. The 90th percentile reaches $1,165, which shows how much higher bills can climb for some properties. In places like Elma, the median tax bill is $5,799, while Tonawanda has a median of $177. These differences can have a major impact on monthly housing costs and long-term affordability.