South Padre Island, Cameron County, Texas Property Taxes
Property Taxes in South Padre Island, Texas
Median South Padre Island, Texas effective property tax rate: 1.71%, significantly higher than the national median of 1.02%, and higher than the Texas state median of 1.48%.
Median South Padre Island, Texas home value: $428,825
Median annual South Padre Island, Texas tax bill: $6,669, higher than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.
How are property taxes in Cameron calculated?
Property taxes in South Padre Island, Texas 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 South Padre Island's property tax system, exemptions, and reduction opportunities can lead to significant savings. Regardless of where you live in South Padre Island, knowing local tax details benefits homeowners and investors.
Last Updated April 13, 2026
South Padre Island, Cameron County, Texas Property Tax Bill Calculator
$100,000
$1,500,000
$3,000,000
Median Effective Tax Rate
1.71%
Estimate Property Tax Bill
$7,333
$6,805
$774
Average Annual Tax Savings
How Does the South Padre Island Property Tax Calculator Work?
Use this South Padre Island property tax calculator to estimate your annual tax bill. Enter your property's assessed value and our calculator applies South Padre Island's median effective tax rate of 1.71% — based on actual property records in Cameron 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 South Padre Island'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 South Padre Island: rates range from 1.71% in 78597 to 1.71% in 78597, primarily due to differences in school district levies and local assessment districts.
South Padre Island's median property tax bill is $6,669, which is higher than the Texas median and higher than the national median property tax bill of $2,400. If your estimate is higher than expected, Ownwell can appeal your South Padre Island assessment — you only pay if we save you money.
About South Padre Island Property Taxes
About Property Taxes in South Padre Island, Cameron, Texas
South Padre Island’s median effective property tax rate of 1.71% is higher than the Texas state median of 1.48% and higher than the national median of 1.02%. This rate reflects the Cameron County base levy combined with local school district levies and Municipal Utility Districts that vary by subdivision throughout the city.
Property tax rates are not uniform across South Padre Island. Homeowners in ZIP code 78597 carry a median effective rate of 1.71%, while those in the same ZIP also pay 1.71%. This reflects how school district boundaries and local assessment districts are drawn across Cameron County. Understanding which part of South Padre Island you live in can make a meaningful difference to your annual tax bill.
South Padre Island homeowners who believe their assessed value is too high can file a formal appeal with the local Appraisal District before the May 15, 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 South Padre Island, Cameron County, Texas
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 South Padre Island's effective property tax rate to other cities in Texas and the median property tax rates in Texas 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 South Padre Island Tax Rate
1.71%
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 Cameron County Tax Rate
1.33%
Median Effective Texas Tax Rate
1.48%
Median Effective United States Tax Rate
1.02%
Property Tax Rates Across South Padre Island, Cameron County, Texas
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Rate | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 78597 | 1.27% | 1.65% | 1.71% | 1.74% | 1.79% |
Source: Ownwell
$774
Average Annual Tax Savings
Save on Your Property Taxes and More With Ownwell
Property Tax Assessment Values Across South Padre Island, Cameron County, Texas
When examining property taxes in South Padre Island, Texas, 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 Cameron 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 Cameron County, assessment notices are sent in April each year.
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. For South Padre Island, the median home price is $428,825, and the median tax bill is $6,669, compared with the national median property tax rate of 1.02% and the national median property tax bill of $2,400.
Property Tax Assessment Values Across South Padre Island, Cameron County, Texas
Source: Ownwell
$13,508
$221,167
$428,825
Median South Padre Island Market Value
$428,825
Median Cameron County Market Value
$155,094
Median Texas Market Value
$258,851
Median United States Market Value
$235,294
Property Tax Assessment Values Across South Padre Island, Cameron County, Texas
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Home Price | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 78597 | $212,719 | $300,000 | $428,825 | $610,490 | $885,000 |
Source: Ownwell
$774
Average Annual Tax Savings
Save on Your Property Taxes and More With Ownwell
Property Tax Bills Across South Padre Island, Cameron County, Texas
Property tax bills in South Padre Island are calculated by applying the local tax rate to a home’s assessed value, which is based on market conditions and other local factors. For homeowners, that means a higher assessed value can lead to a higher tax bill, even if the home has not changed. In Cameron County, the median home price is $428,825, and the median property tax bill is $6,669, which is well above the national median property tax bill of $2,400 and the national median property tax rate of 1.02%.
Tax bills can vary widely, with the 25th percentile at $4,696 and the 75th percentile at $10,093, while the 90th percentile reaches $14,591. Ownwell helps homeowners lower their property tax bills by reviewing assessments, identifying potential overassessments, and filing appeals when appropriate. That can make a meaningful difference for homeowners facing high property taxes in South Padre Island.
Median South Padre Island Tax Bill
$6,669
Median Cameron County Tax Bill
$1,458
Median Texas Tax Bill
$3,441
Median United States Tax Bill
$2,400
Property Tax Bills Across South Padre Island, Cameron County, Texas
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Bill | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 78597 | $3,066 | $4,696 | $6,669 | $10,093 | $14,591 |
Source: Ownwell
$774
Average Annual Tax Savings
Save on Your Property Taxes and More With Ownwell
Don't miss the deadline to protest!
Dates | |
|---|---|
| Appeal Deadline | May 15 |
| Tax Bill | |
| Issued | October 1 |
| Due Date #1 | January 31 |
Links | |
|---|---|
| Cameron Appraisal District | |
| Phone | (956) 399-9322 |
| Website | cameron.prodigycad.com |