Wake County, North Carolina Property Taxes
Property Taxes in Wake County, North Carolina
Median Wake County effective property tax rate: 0.87%, significantly lower than the national median of 1.02%.
Median Wake County home value: $454,641
Median annual Wake County tax bill: $3,792, higher than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.
How are property taxes in Wake County calculated?
Property taxes in Wake 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.
Understanding Wake County’s property tax system, exemptions, and reduction opportunities can lead to significant savings. Whether you live in Wake County or another part of the county, knowing local tax details benefits homeowners and investors.
Last Updated April 13, 2026
Wake County, North Carolina Property Tax Bill Calculator
$100,000
$1,500,000
$3,000,000
Median Effective Tax Rate
0.87%
Estimate Property Tax Bill
$3,955
$3,670
How Does the Wake County Property Tax Calculator Work?
Use this Wake County property tax calculator to estimate your annual property tax bill. Enter your property’s assessed value and our calculator applies Wake County’s median effective tax rate of 0.87% to generate your estimate.
Enter your property’s estimated assessed value — the figure the appraisal district assigns 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. Wake County’s median effective tax rate is lower than the national median property tax rate of 1.02% and higher than the state median tax rate of 0.81%.
Your actual bill may vary based on your specific exemptions, local school district levies, and any special assessment districts that apply to your property. Wake County’s median property tax bill is $3,792, which is $1,392 higher than the state median and above the national median property tax bill of $2,400.
For a more precise estimate, scroll down to explore city and ZIP code-level tax rate trends across Wake County.
Property Tax Rates Across Wake County, North Carolina
What Are Effective Property Tax Rates Across Wake County?
Local government entities set tax rates, which vary widely across Wake 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 Wake County's effective property tax rate to other counties in North Carolina or the U.S. median of 1.02%.
Wake County's median effective rate stands at 0.87%, which is lower than the national median of 1.02%. Within Wake County, the highest rate is found in Durham at 1.11%, while Creedmoor has the lowest at 0.52%.
These variations reflect differences in local school district levies, special assessment districts 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 Wake County Tax Rate
0.87%
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 North Carolina Tax Rate
0.81%
Median Effective United States Tax Rate
1.02%
Property Tax Rates Across Wake County, North Carolina
| City | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Rate | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Angier | 0.63% | 1.09% | 1.09% | 1.09% | 1.09% |
| Apex | 0.62% | 0.84% | 0.86% | 0.86% | 0.86% |
| Cary | 0.84% | 0.84% | 0.84% | 0.84% | 0.84% |
| Clayton | 0.62% | 0.63% | 0.63% | 0.63% | 0.63% |
| Creedmoor | 0.28% | 0.51% | 0.52% | 0.53% | 0.62% |
| Durham | 0.64% | 1.11% | 1.11% | 1.11% | 1.11% |
| Fuquay Varina | 0.62% | 0.63% | 0.88% | 0.88% | 0.88% |
| Garner | 0.63% | 0.63% | 1.04% | 1.04% | 1.04% |
| Holly Springs | 0.63% | 0.86% | 0.86% | 0.86% | 0.86% |
| Knightdale | 0.63% | 0.63% | 0.96% | 0.96% | 0.96% |
| Morrisville | 0.84% | 0.87% | 0.87% | 0.88% | 0.88% |
| New Hill | 0.62% | 0.86% | 0.86% | 0.86% | 0.86% |
| Raleigh | 0.62% | 0.87% | 0.87% | 0.87% | 0.88% |
| Rolesville | 0.92% | 0.96% | 0.97% | 0.99% | 1.01% |
| Wake Forest | 0.62% | 0.63% | 0.96% | 0.96% | 0.97% |
| Wendell | 0.62% | 0.63% | 1.06% | 1.07% | 1.08% |
| Willow Spring | 0.62% | 0.62% | 0.63% | 0.63% | 0.63% |
| Youngsville | 0.62% | 0.63% | 0.63% | 0.63% | 0.63% |
| Zebulon | 0.62% | 0.63% | 1.09% | 1.10% | 1.10% |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Wake County, North Carolina
When examining property taxes in Wake 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 Wake 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 Wake County, assessment notices are sent in the spring each year. They'll typically reach your mailbox by the middle of April.
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 Wake County.
For example, the median tax bill in Wake County is $3,792, with tax bills ranging significantly across the county. New Hill has the highest median home price at $658,639.
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Wake County, North Carolina
Source: Ownwell
$290,436
$598,949
$907,461
Median Wake County Market Value
$454,641
Median North Carolina Market Value
$221,500
Median United States Market Value
$235,294
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Wake County, North Carolina
| City | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Home Price | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Angier | $229,603 | $336,107 | $382,219 | $431,632 | $462,210 |
| Apex | $358,928 | $443,640 | $568,572 | $735,086 | $910,420 |
| Cary | $366,205 | $452,076 | $575,449 | $768,118 | $1,011,107 |
| Clayton | $242,541 | $290,410 | $354,525 | $450,883 | $520,320 |
| Creedmoor | $113,285 | $189,767 | $301,478 | $598,440 | $1,248,769 |
| Durham | $390,467 | $398,103 | $412,093 | $430,003 | $458,948 |
| Fuquay Varina | $294,540 | $362,471 | $440,822 | $535,464 | $640,300 |
| Garner | $216,646 | $273,920 | $334,160 | $433,699 | $535,122 |
| Holly Springs | $341,218 | $410,028 | $543,452 | $685,712 | $800,763 |
| Knightdale | $233,318 | $276,012 | $349,088 | $427,268 | $523,809 |
| Morrisville | $345,187 | $408,277 | $511,736 | $651,205 | $788,805 |
| New Hill | $423,553 | $553,139 | $658,639 | $735,167 | $1,057,395 |
| Raleigh | $257,211 | $314,666 | $413,474 | $600,140 | $860,067 |
| Rolesville | $313,453 | $393,580 | $498,669 | $596,860 | $676,557 |
| Wake Forest | $282,046 | $367,544 | $495,540 | $632,176 | $844,798 |
| Wendell | $180,558 | $249,826 | $332,588 | $443,179 | $547,834 |
| Willow Spring | $147,331 | $282,939 | $390,094 | $480,892 | $570,536 |
| Youngsville | $140,896 | $239,601 | $290,436 | $346,672 | $605,922 |
| Zebulon | $170,380 | $245,578 | $322,973 | $403,588 | $552,215 |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Bills Across Wake County, North Carolina
Property tax bills in Wake County are calculated by applying the local property tax rate to a home’s assessed value, which is based on the market value set by the county. That assessment considers factors such as a home’s size, location, age, condition, and recent sales of similar properties. Because the bill is tied to assessed value, homeowners with higher-valued homes generally pay more, while those with lower-valued homes pay less.
With a median home price of $454,641, Wake County homeowners often face sizable tax bills. The 25th percentile tax bill is $2,822, while the 75th percentile is $5,205 and the 90th percentile reaches $6,865. Bills can vary widely across the county, from a median of $1,490 in Creedmoor to $5,466 in New Hill. For homeowners, this means property taxes can have a major impact on monthly housing costs and long-term affordability.
Median Wake County Tax Bill
$3,792
Median North Carolina Tax Bill
$1,813
Median United States Tax Bill
$2,400
Property Tax Bills Across Wake County, North Carolina
| City | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Bill | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Angier | $1,143 | $3,560 | $4,101 | $4,635 | $4,978 |
| Apex | $2,742 | $3,612 | $4,667 | $6,061 | $7,412 |
| Cary | $2,997 | $3,772 | $4,812 | $6,429 | $8,465 |
| Clayton | $1,496 | $1,808 | $2,212 | $2,750 | $3,187 |
| Creedmoor | $565 | $937 | $1,490 | $2,467 | $5,271 |
| Durham | $2,941 | $4,357 | $4,503 | $4,704 | $4,840 |
| Fuquay Varina | $2,099 | $2,898 | $3,614 | $4,374 | $5,180 |
| Garner | $1,523 | $2,541 | $3,278 | $4,096 | $5,206 |
| Holly Springs | $2,844 | $3,398 | $4,405 | $5,767 | $6,764 |
| Knightdale | $1,508 | $1,927 | $2,871 | $3,791 | $4,698 |
| Morrisville | $2,974 | $3,561 | $4,474 | $5,658 | $6,825 |
| New Hill | $2,578 | $4,272 | $5,466 | $6,097 | $8,404 |
| Raleigh | $2,065 | $2,630 | $3,426 | $4,806 | $6,845 |
| Rolesville | $2,971 | $3,769 | $4,792 | $5,710 | $6,422 |
| Wake Forest | $2,079 | $3,101 | $4,251 | $5,449 | $6,605 |
| Wendell | $1,141 | $1,765 | $2,987 | $4,110 | $5,304 |
| Willow Spring | $831 | $1,704 | $2,394 | $2,973 | $3,604 |
| Youngsville | $772 | $1,474 | $1,799 | $2,115 | $3,111 |
| Zebulon | $1,116 | $1,828 | $2,930 | $3,734 | $4,318 |
Source: Ownwell
Don't miss the deadline to appeal!
Dates | |
|---|---|
| Appeal Deadline | April 22 |
Links | |
|---|---|
| Wake Tax Assessor | |
| Website | services.wake.gov |