Property Taxes in Durham, North Carolina
Median Durham, North Carolina effective property tax rate: 0.85%, significantly lower than the national median of 1.02%, and higher than the North Carolina state median of 0.81%.
Median Durham, North Carolina home value: $713,796
Median annual Durham, North Carolina tax bill: $6,035, $3,635 higher than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.
How are property taxes in Chatham calculated?
Property taxes in Durham, North Carolina 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 Durham's property tax system, exemptions, and reduction opportunities can lead to significant savings. Regardless of where you live in Durham, knowing local tax details benefits homeowners and investors.
Last Updated April 13, 2026
How Does the Durham Property Tax Calculator Work?
Use this Durham property tax calculator to estimate your annual property tax bill. Enter your property's assessed value and our calculator applies Durham's median effective tax rate of 0.85% — based on actual property records in Chatham 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 Durham'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 Durham: rates range from 0.85% in 27713 to 0.85% in 27713, 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 Durham.
About Durham Property Taxes
About Property Taxes in Durham, Chatham, North Carolina
Durham’s median effective property tax rate of 0.85% is lower than the North Carolina state median of 0.81% and lower than the national median of 1.02%. This rate reflects the Chatham 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 Durham. Homeowners in the 27713 ZIP code carry a median effective rate of 0.85%, while those in the lowest ZIP also pay 0.85%. This spread reflects how school district boundaries and local assessment districts are drawn across Chatham County. Understanding which part of Durham you live in can make a meaningful difference to your annual tax bill.
Durham homeowners who believe their assessed value is too high can file a formal appeal with the local Tax Assessor before the May 4, 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 Durham, Chatham County, North Carolina
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 Durham's effective property tax rate to other cities in North Carolina and the median property tax rates in North Carolina 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 Durham Tax Rate
0.85%
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 Chatham County Tax Rate
0.89%
Median Effective North Carolina Tax Rate
0.81%
Median Effective United States Tax Rate
1.27%
Property Tax Rates Across Durham, Chatham County, North Carolina
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Rate | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 27713 | 0.83% | 0.84% | 0.85% | 0.86% | 0.88% |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Durham, Chatham County, North Carolina
When examining property taxes in Durham, North Carolina, 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 Chatham 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 Chatham County, assessment notices are sent in the spring each year. They'll typically reach your mailbox by the middle of the month when notices are sent.
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 Durham.
For example, the median home price in Durham is $713,796, with tax bills ranging significantly across the county. 27713 has the highest median home price at $713,796.
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Durham, Chatham County, North Carolina
Source: Ownwell
$102,922
$408,359
$713,796
Median Durham Market Value
$713,796
Median Chatham County Market Value
$312,558
Median North Carolina Market Value
$221,500
Median United States Market Value
$274,101
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Durham, Chatham County, North Carolina
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Home Price | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 27713 | $257,670 | $465,402 | $713,796 | $1,040,425 | $2,427,652 |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Bills Across Durham, Chatham County, North Carolina
How are property tax bills calculated in Durham, Chatham County, North Carolina?
Property tax bills in Durham are based on the assessed value of a home and the local tax rate set by the county and other taxing authorities. The assessed value is compared with the market value of the property, and that figure is used to determine the amount owed each year. For a home with a median home price of $713,796, the tax bill can vary widely depending on location and assessment details.
What factors affect the tax bill in Durham?
Several factors can influence the final bill, including the home’s assessed value, the tax rate, and whether the property is in a higher-tax or lower-tax area. In Durham, the 25th percentile tax bill is $3,697, while the 75th percentile tax bill is $8,456. At the high end, the 90th percentile tax bill reaches $20,353. In ZIP code 27713, the median tax bill is $6,035.
How does this affect homeowners?
Because property taxes are tied to assessed value, homeowners with rising home values may see higher bills even if they have not made major changes to the property. Compared with the national median property tax rate of 1.02% and the national median property tax bill of $2,400, Durham homeowners often face much larger annual costs.
Median Durham Tax Bill
$6,035
Median Chatham County Tax Bill
$2,788
Median North Carolina Tax Bill
$1,813
Median United States Tax Bill
$3,209
Property Tax Bills Across Durham, Chatham County, North Carolina
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Bill | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 27713 | $2,089 | $3,697 | $6,035 | $8,456 | $20,353 |
Source: Ownwell
Don't miss the deadline to appeal!
Dates | |
|---|---|
| Appeal Deadline | April 20 |
Links | |
|---|---|
| Chatham Tax Assessor | |
| Website | chathamnc.devnetwedge.com |