Durham, Wake County, North Carolina Property Taxes
Median Durham, NC effective property tax rate: 1.22%, significantly higher than the national median of 1.02%, but lower than the NC state median of 0.82%.
Median Durham, NC home value: $291,279
Median annual Durham, NC tax bill: $3,551, $1,151 higher than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.
How are property taxes in Wake calculated?
Property taxes in Durham, NC 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 March 1, 2025
Durham, Wake County, North Carolina Property Tax Bill Calculator
$100,000
$1,500,000
$3,000,000
Median Effective Tax Rate
1.22%
Estimate Property Tax Bill
$3,554
$3,298
Property Tax Rates Across Durham, Wake County, North Carolina
Local government entities determine tax rates, which can differ significantly within a state. This variation is due to each county's annual budgetary needs for services, which are divided by the total value of all taxable properties within the county. This division results in the property tax rate. While the process involves votes and legislation, this is the basic annual procedure.
In Durham, located in Durham County, North Carolina, the property tax landscape reflects these dynamics. The city's effective property tax rate can be compared to other cities in North Carolina, as well as to state and national medians. North Carolina's median property tax rate stands at 0.77%, which is noticeably lower than the national median of 1.02%. Within Durham, the highest median tax rate is 1.22% in the 27703 ZIP code, while the lowest is 0.79% in the 27713 ZIP code. These figures highlight the diversity in tax rates even within a single city, emphasizing the importance of understanding local tax environments. Homeowners in Durham can benefit from being informed about these rates, potentially leading to savings through appeals or exemptions.
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
1.22%
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
1.10%
Median Effective North Carolina Tax Rate
0.82%
Median Effective United States Tax Rate
1.02%
Property Tax Rates Across Durham, Wake County, North Carolina
Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Rate | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
27703 | 1.22% | 1.22% | 1.22% | 1.22% | 1.22% |
27713 | 0.39% | 0.78% | 0.79% | 0.79% | 0.79% |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Durham, Wake County, North Carolina
When examining property taxes in Durham, NC, 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.
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 Durham. For example, the median home price in Durham is $291,279, with tax bills ranging significantly across the county. Zip code 27703 has the highest median home price at $291,334.
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Durham, Wake County, North Carolina
Source: Ownwell

$174,058
$394,571
$615,084
Median Durham Market Value
$291,279
Median Wake County Market Value
$302,078
Median North Carolina Market Value
$197,136
Median United States Market Value
$235,294
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Durham, Wake County, North Carolina
Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Home Price | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
27703 | $280,561 | $283,910 | $291,334 | $318,890 | $336,920 |
27713 | $184,604 | $216,097 | $256,710 | $377,122 | $679,248 |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Bills Across Durham, Wake County, North Carolina
Median Durham Tax Bill
$3,551
Median Wake County Tax Bill
$3,098
Median North Carolina Tax Bill
$1,615
Median United States Tax Bill
$2,400
Property Tax Bills Across Durham, Wake County, North Carolina
Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Bill | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
27703 | $3,424 | $3,457 | $3,555 | $3,680 | $4,044 |
27713 | $1,286 | $1,468 | $1,973 | $2,508 | $4,357 |
Source: Ownwell