Santa Elena, Starr County, Texas Property Taxes
Property Taxes in Santa Elena, Texas
Median Santa Elena, Texas effective property tax rate: 1.31%, significantly higher than the national median of 1.02%, and lower than the Texas state median of 1.48%.
Median Santa Elena, Texas home value: $69,810
Median annual Santa Elena, Texas tax bill: $902, $1,498 lower than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.
How are property taxes in Starr calculated?
Property taxes in Santa Elena, 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 Santa Elena's property tax system, exemptions, and reduction opportunities can lead to significant savings. Regardless of where you live in Santa Elena, knowing local tax details benefits homeowners and investors.
Last Updated April 13, 2026
Santa Elena, Starr County, Texas Property Tax Bill Calculator
$100,000
$1,500,000
$3,000,000
Median Effective Tax Rate
1.31%
Estimate Property Tax Bill
$915
$849
How Does the Santa Elena Property Tax Calculator Work?
Use this Santa Elena property tax calculator to estimate your annual property tax bill. Enter your property's assessed value and our calculator applies Santa Elena's median effective tax rate of 1.31% — based on actual property records in Starr 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 Santa Elena'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 Santa Elena: rates range from 1.31% in 78591 to 1.31% in 78591, 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 Santa Elena.
About Santa Elena Property Taxes
About Property Taxes in Santa Elena, Starr, Texas
Santa Elena’s median effective property tax rate of 1.31% is lower than the Texas state median of 1.48% and higher than the national median of 1.02%. This rate reflects the Starr County base levy combined with local school district levies and other local charges that can affect what homeowners pay.
Property tax rates are not uniform across Santa Elena. Homeowners in ZIP code 78591 have a median effective rate of 1.31%, and the same ZIP code also shows a median tax bill of $902. That consistency reflects how local taxing jurisdictions are drawn across the area.
Santa Elena 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. The median home price is $69,810, and the 75th percentile tax bill reaches $1,565, which can make a review worthwhile.
If your estimated bill 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 Santa Elena, Starr 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 Santa Elena'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 Santa Elena Tax Rate
1.31%
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 Starr County Tax Rate
1.98%
Median Effective Texas Tax Rate
1.48%
Median Effective United States Tax Rate
1.02%
Property Tax Rates Across Santa Elena, Starr County, Texas
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Rate | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 78591 | 0.51% | 1.05% | 1.31% | 1.59% | 1.85% |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Santa Elena, Starr County, Texas
When examining property taxes in Santa Elena, 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 Starr 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 Starr 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. 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 Santa Elena.
For example, the median home price in Santa Elena is $69,810, with tax bills ranging significantly across the county. 78591 has the highest median home price at $69,810.
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Santa Elena, Starr County, Texas
Source: Ownwell
$36,890
$74,803
$112,715
Median Santa Elena Market Value
$69,810
Median Starr County Market Value
$62,725
Median Texas Market Value
$258,851
Median United States Market Value
$235,294
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Santa Elena, Starr County, Texas
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Home Price | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 78591 | $19,098 | $38,205 | $69,810 | $119,445 | $288,278 |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Bills Across Santa Elena, Starr County, Texas
Property tax bills in Santa Elena are calculated from the assessed value of a home and the local tax rate set for Starr County and other taxing authorities. The assessed value is based on the market value of the property, and that figure is multiplied by the applicable tax rate to determine the bill. For homeowners, this means a higher assessed value can lead to a larger tax bill, even if the home has not been sold.
In Santa Elena, the median home price is $69,810, and the median property tax bill is $902, which is below 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 $420 and the 75th percentile at $1,565, while the 90th percentile reaches $2,690. These differences show how location, assessed value, and local rates can affect what homeowners owe each year.
Median Santa Elena Tax Bill
$902
Median Starr County Tax Bill
$1,162
Median Texas Tax Bill
$3,441
Median United States Tax Bill
$2,400
Property Tax Bills Across Santa Elena, Starr County, Texas
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Bill | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 78591 | $177 | $420 | $902 | $1,565 | $2,690 |
Source: Ownwell
Don't miss the deadline to protest!
Dates | |
|---|---|
| Appeal Deadline | May 15 |
| Tax Bill | |
| Issued | October 1 |
| Due Date #1 | November 30 |
| Due Date #2 | June 30 |
Links | |
|---|---|
| Starr Appraisal District | |
| Website | esearch.starrcad.org |