Property Taxes in Sterling, Virginia
Median Sterling, Virginia effective property tax rate: 0.87%, significantly lower than the national median of 1.02%, and lower than the Virginia state median of 0.90%.
Median Sterling, Virginia home value: $558,110
Median annual Sterling, Virginia tax bill: $4,826, $2,426 higher than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.
How are property taxes in Loudoun calculated?
Property taxes in Sterling, Virginia 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 Sterling's property tax system, exemptions, and reduction opportunities can lead to significant savings. Regardless of where you live in Sterling, knowing local tax details benefits homeowners and investors.
Last Updated April 13, 2026
How Does the Sterling Property Tax Calculator Work?
Use this Sterling property tax calculator to estimate your annual property tax bill. Enter your property's assessed value and our calculator applies Sterling's median effective tax rate of 0.87% — based on actual property records in Loudoun 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 Sterling'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 Sterling: rates range from $4,542.00 in 20164 to $5,578.00 in 20165, 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 Sterling.
About Sterling Property Taxes
About Property Taxes in Sterling, Loudoun, Virginia
Sterling’s median effective property tax rate of 0.87% is lower than the Virginia state median of 0.90% and lower than the national median of 1.02%. This rate reflects the Loudoun 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 Sterling. Homeowners in ZIP code 20164 carry a median effective rate of 0.87%, while those in 20165 pay 0.87%. This spread reflects how school district boundaries and local assessment districts are drawn across Loudoun County. Understanding which part of Sterling you live in can make a meaningful difference to your annual tax bill.
Sterling homeowners who believe their assessed value is too high can file a formal appeal with the Tax Assessor before the June 1, 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 Sterling, Loudoun County, Virginia
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 Sterling's effective property tax rate to other cities in Virginia and the median property tax rates in Virginia 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 Sterling 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 Loudoun County Tax Rate
0.87%
Median Effective Virginia Tax Rate
0.90%
Median Effective United States Tax Rate
1.27%
Property Tax Rates Across Sterling, Loudoun County, Virginia
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Rate | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20164 | 0.86% | 0.86% | 0.87% | 0.87% | 0.87% |
| 20165 | 0.86% | 0.86% | 0.86% | 0.87% | 0.87% |
| 20166 | 0.86% | 0.86% | 0.87% | 0.87% | 0.87% |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Sterling, Loudoun County, Virginia
When examining property taxes in Sterling, Virginia, 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 Loudoun 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 Loudoun County, assessment notices are sent in February each year. They'll typically reach your mailbox by the middle of February.
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 Sterling.
For example, the median home price in Sterling is $558,110, with tax bills ranging significantly across the county. 20165 has the highest median home price at $645,195.
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Sterling, Loudoun County, Virginia
Source: Ownwell
$525,210
$1,156,865
$1,788,520
Median Sterling Market Value
$558,110
Median Loudoun County Market Value
$695,595
Median Virginia Market Value
$323,500
Median United States Market Value
$274,101
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Sterling, Loudoun County, Virginia
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Home Price | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20164 | $342,180 | $417,455 | $525,210 | $584,330 | $655,656 |
| 20165 | $396,828 | $530,338 | $645,195 | $800,432 | $890,368 |
| 20166 | $383,756 | $484,420 | $551,870 | $668,882 | $912,255 |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Bills Across Sterling, Loudoun County, Virginia
Property tax bills in Sterling are calculated from the assessed value of a home and the local tax rate set by Loudoun County and other taxing authorities. When a property’s market value rises, the assessed value can increase as well, which can lead to a higher bill. Homeowners are taxed on that assessed amount, not on the original purchase price, so changes in the local housing market can have a direct impact on what they owe.
With a median home price of $558,110, Sterling homeowners often face bills that are well above the national median property tax bill of $2,400. The local median tax bill is $5,578 in zip code 20165 and $4,542 in zip code 20164, showing how much bills can vary even within the same city. For many homeowners, these taxes are a major part of annual housing costs and can affect affordability, monthly budgeting, and long-term ownership decisions.
Median Sterling Tax Bill
$4,826
Median Loudoun County Tax Bill
$6,021
Median Virginia Tax Bill
$2,852
Median United States Tax Bill
$3,209
Property Tax Bills Across Sterling, Loudoun County, Virginia
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Bill | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20164 | $2,960 | $3,611 | $4,542 | $5,052 | $5,662 |
| 20165 | $3,407 | $4,586 | $5,578 | $6,922 | $7,702 |
| 20166 | $3,227 | $4,192 | $4,766 | $5,770 | $7,885 |
Source: Ownwell
Don't miss the deadline to appeal!
Dates | |
|---|---|
| Appeal Deadline | June 1 |
Links | |
|---|---|
| Loudoun Tax Assessor | |
| Website | reparcelasmt.loudoun.gov |