Schenectady County, New York Property Taxes
Property Taxes in Schenectady County, New York
Median Schenectady County effective property tax rate: 2.65%, significantly higher than the national median of 1.02%.
Median Schenectady County home value: $220,984
Median annual Schenectady County tax bill: $5,500, $3,100 higher than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.
How are property taxes in Schenectady County calculated?
Property taxes in Schenectady County 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.
Why are property taxes in Schenectady County so high? The county’s effective property tax rate of 2.65% is higher than the New York median tax rate of 1.90% and well above the national median of 1.02%.
What does the median tax bill mean for homeowners? The median annual tax bill of $5,500 is $3,100 higher than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.
Understanding your county's property tax system, exemptions, and reduction opportunities can lead to significant savings. Whether you live in Schenectady or another part of Schenectady County, knowing local tax details benefits homeowners and investors.
Last Updated April 13, 2026
Schenectady County, New York Property Tax Bill Calculator
$100,000
$1,500,000
$3,000,000
Median Effective Tax Rate
2.65%
Estimate Property Tax Bill
$5,856
$5,434
How Does the Schenectady County Property Tax Calculator Work?
Use this Schenectady County property tax calculator to estimate your annual property tax bill. Enter your property's assessed value and our calculator applies Schenectady County's median effective tax rate of 2.65% to generate your estimate.
Enter your property's estimated assessed value — the figure used for tax purposes, which is typically lower than market value after applicable exemptions. Our calculator uses the median effective rate for a more accurate estimate than the statutory millage rate alone.
Your actual bill may vary based on your specific exemptions, local school district levies, and any special assessment districts that apply to your property.
For a more precise estimate, scroll down to explore city and ZIP code-level tax rate trends across Schenectady County.
Property Tax Rates Across Schenectady County, New York
What Are Effective Property Tax Rates Across Schenectady County?
Local government entities set tax rates, which vary widely across Schenectady 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 Schenectady County's effective property tax rate to other counties in New York or the U.S. median of 1.02%.
Schenectady County's median effective rate stands at 2.65%, which is higher than the national median of 1.02%. Within Schenectady County, the highest rate is found in Schenectady at 2.78%, while Burnt Hills has the lowest at 0.81%.
These variations reflect differences in local school district levies, special district levies assessments, and special district bonds — which compound the base county rate.
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 Schenectady County Tax Rate
2.65%
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 New York Tax Rate
1.90%
Median Effective United States Tax Rate
1.02%
Property Tax Rates Across Schenectady County, New York
| City | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Rate | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alplaus | 2.10% | 2.39% | 2.52% | 2.62% | 2.72% |
| Amsterdam | 0.84% | 1.59% | 2.00% | 2.33% | 2.34% |
| Ballston Lake | 0.71% | 0.81% | 0.81% | 0.81% | 0.85% |
| Burnt Hills | 0.71% | 0.81% | 0.81% | 0.81% | 0.82% |
| Delanson | 1.72% | 1.97% | 2.14% | 2.29% | 2.66% |
| Duanesburg | 1.77% | 1.95% | 2.05% | 2.14% | 2.27% |
| Esperance | 0.75% | 1.60% | 1.93% | 2.14% | 2.14% |
| Pattersonville | 1.96% | 1.97% | 2.20% | 2.45% | 2.83% |
| Rotterdam Junction | 1.75% | 2.08% | 2.36% | 2.40% | 2.67% |
| Schenectady | 1.71% | 2.26% | 2.78% | 3.39% | 3.79% |
| Altamont | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Glenville | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Niskayuna | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Schoharie | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Schenectady County, New York
When examining property taxes in Schenectady County, 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 Schenectady 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 Schenectady 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 Schenectady County.
For example, the median tax bill in Schenectady County is $5,500, with tax bills ranging significantly across the county. Alplaus has the highest median home price at $313,770.
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Schenectady County, New York
Source: Ownwell
$100,657
$207,214
$313,770
Median Schenectady County Market Value
$220,984
Median New York Market Value
$312,500
Median United States Market Value
$235,294
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Schenectady County, New York
| City | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Home Price | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alplaus | $203,443 | $231,230 | $280,656 | $330,656 | $398,361 |
| Amsterdam | $188,689 | $235,082 | $300,984 | $383,114 | $491,803 |
| Ballston Lake | $221,803 | $253,484 | $309,590 | $373,893 | $417,344 |
| Burnt Hills | $230,328 | $263,115 | $313,770 | $406,557 | $523,345 |
| Delanson | $128,734 | $187,773 | $262,009 | $348,690 | $430,262 |
| Duanesburg | $129,258 | $202,183 | $284,444 | $393,013 | $480,349 |
| Esperance | $122,664 | $175,327 | $251,528 | $335,372 | $434,061 |
| Pattersonville | $101,230 | $167,624 | $236,681 | $323,522 | $404,533 |
| Rotterdam Junction | $171,360 | $194,400 | $224,300 | $277,100 | $354,920 |
| Schenectady | $118,033 | $161,100 | $217,443 | $295,836 | $393,333 |
| Altamont | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Glenville | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Niskayuna | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Schoharie | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Bills Across Schenectady County, New York
Property tax bills in Schenectady County are calculated from a home’s assessed value and the local tax rate, so the amount a homeowner pays can vary widely even among similar properties. For a home with a median market value of $220,984, the bill depends on how that value is assessed and how local taxing jurisdictions set their rates.
Several factors shape the final tax bill, including the property’s location, the assessment applied to the home, and the mix of county, town, school, and other local taxes. That is why bills can differ across the county, with the highest median tax bill reaching $6,829 in Alplaus and the lowest median tax bill at $2,528 in Ballston Lake.
For homeowners, this means property taxes can be a major ongoing cost. In Schenectady County, the 25th percentile tax bill is $4,183, while the 75th percentile is $7,599 and the 90th percentile is $10,887, showing how quickly taxes can rise as assessed values and local rates increase.
Median Schenectady County Tax Bill
$5,500
Median New York Tax Bill
$5,420
Median United States Tax Bill
$2,400
Property Tax Bills Across Schenectady County, New York
| City | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Bill | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alplaus | $4,729 | $5,774 | $6,829 | $8,527 | $10,619 |
| Amsterdam | $2,674 | $3,913 | $5,606 | $7,580 | $9,663 |
| Ballston Lake | $1,719 | $2,027 | $2,528 | $3,073 | $3,512 |
| Burnt Hills | $1,829 | $2,129 | $2,570 | $3,354 | $4,487 |
| Delanson | $2,736 | $4,046 | $5,488 | $7,278 | $9,212 |
| Duanesburg | $2,846 | $4,144 | $5,742 | $8,094 | $10,194 |
| Esperance | $1,413 | $2,604 | $4,261 | $6,566 | $8,283 |
| Pattersonville | $2,824 | $4,041 | $5,278 | $6,858 | $8,735 |
| Rotterdam Junction | $3,286 | $4,142 | $5,172 | $6,740 | $8,216 |
| Schenectady | $2,821 | $4,227 | $5,530 | $7,664 | $11,080 |
| Altamont | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Glenville | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Niskayuna | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Schoharie | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Source: Ownwell
Don't miss the deadline to file a grievance!
Dates | |
|---|---|
| Appeal Deadline | May 26 |
Links | |
|---|---|
| Schenectady Assessment Review Commission | |
| Website | schenectady.sdgnys.com |