In tax year 2026, the median Washington homeowner paid $4,512 in property taxes, a median effective rate of 0.92% of market value, compared with 1.27% nationally.
Washington assesses homes at 100% of market value, and most local levies can grow only 1% per year plus new construction. Rates range from 0.57% in San Juan County to 1.40% in Whitman County.
- Median Washington effective property tax rate: 0.92%
- Median Washington home value: $501,600
- Median Washington property tax bill: $4,512
- Highest median bill: King County $7,644
- Lowest median bill: Lincoln County $662
Last Updated October 26, 2026
How Property Taxes Work in Washington
Each county assessor values property at 100% of its true and fair market value as of January 1 and updates values every year. Your bill is that value, minus exemptions, multiplied by the combined levy rate of the state, county, city, school district, and special districts like fire and library. Rates are expressed per $1,000 of assessed value.
Washington is a budget-based system. Most taxing districts can raise their total levy only 1% per year, plus new construction and voter-approved levies. When values rise faster than levies, rates go down, so a higher assessment doesn't automatically mean a proportionally higher bill. What matters is how your value changed compared with your neighbors'.
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 Washington Effective Property Tax Rate
0.92%
Median Washington Home Value
$501,600
Median Washington Tax Bill
$4,512
What is the Median Effective Property Tax 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.
Counties With the Highest and Lowest Property Taxes
Five Highest Median Property Tax Bills
| Rank | County | Median Tax Bill |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | King County | $7,644 |
| 2. | Snohomish County | $5,179 |
| 3. | Pierce County | $4,961 |
| 4. | Clark County | $4,563 |
| 5. | San Juan County | $4,329 |
Five Lowest Median Property Tax Bills
| Rank | County | Median Tax Bill |
|---|---|---|
| 35. | Klickitat County | $1,439 |
| 36. | Columbia County | $1,401 |
| 37. | Ferry County | $856 |
| 38. | Garfield County | $787 |
| 39. | Lincoln County | $662 |
1 of 39 Washington counties have a median effective rate above the national 1.27%. Whitman County has the highest median effective rate at 1.40%, and San Juan County has the lowest at 0.57%.
Property Tax Rates and Bills by County
| Rank | County | Median Effective Tax Rate | Median Home Value | Median Tax Bill | 25th % Bill | 75th % Bill | 90th % Bill |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | King County | 0.99% | $774,000 | $7,644 | $5,558 | $10,503 | $14,547 |
| 2 | Snohomish County | 0.80% | $650,900 | $5,179 | $3,866 | $6,739 | $8,713 |
| 3 | Pierce County | 1.01% | $495,600 | $4,961 | $3,916 | $6,207 | $8,017 |
| 4 | Clark County | 0.98% | $478,846 | $4,563 | $3,662 | $5,804 | $7,596 |
| 5 | San Juan County | 0.57% | $798,910 | $4,329 | $2,578 | $7,033 | $11,473 |
| 6 | Thurston County | 0.93% | $459,800 | $4,232 | $3,143 | $5,421 | $7,074 |
| 7 | Skagit County | 0.86% | $497,500 | $4,198 | $2,726 | $5,748 | $7,751 |
| 8 | Kitsap County | 0.85% | $472,995 | $4,023 | $2,980 | $5,506 | $7,854 |
| 9 | Island County | 0.73% | $549,996 | $3,999 | $2,970 | $5,437 | $7,378 |
| 10 | Whatcom County | 0.77% | $511,606 | $3,775 | $1,793 | $5,296 | $7,363 |
| 11 | Jefferson County | 0.83% | $435,843 | $3,575 | $2,039 | $5,152 | $6,949 |
| 12 | Spokane County | 0.95% | $370,100 | $3,501 | $2,605 | $4,642 | $6,162 |
| 13 | Kittitas County | 0.80% | $382,480 | $3,367 | $2,198 | $4,611 | $6,777 |
| 14 | Douglas County | 0.87% | $361,800 | $3,166 | $1,556 | $4,275 | $5,742 |
| 15 | Walla Walla County | 0.89% | $340,770 | $3,153 | $1,948 | $4,355 | $5,744 |
| 16 | Benton County | 0.93% | $347,060 | $3,052 | $2,044 | $4,258 | $5,695 |
| 17 | Clallam County | 0.76% | $380,282 | $3,050 | $2,070 | $4,156 | $5,592 |
| 18 | Skamania County | 0.84% | $362,600 | $3,032 | $1,678 | $4,357 | $5,704 |
| 19 | Franklin County | 0.79% | $384,500 | $3,020 | $2,390 | $3,763 | $4,937 |
| 20 | Cowlitz County | 0.87% | $341,430 | $2,984 | $2,122 | $4,008 | $5,253 |
| 21 | Chelan County | 0.79% | $364,069 | $2,853 | $1,364 | $4,565 | $6,937 |
| 22 | Mason County | 0.83% | $309,355 | $2,628 | $1,427 | $3,951 | $5,497 |
| 23 | Yakima County | 1.05% | $236,000 | $2,551 | $1,728 | $3,491 | $4,524 |
| 24 | Lewis County | 0.70% | $329,400 | $2,244 | $1,164 | $3,226 | $4,282 |
| 25 | Grays Harbor County | 0.90% | $242,486 | $2,050 | $999 | $3,077 | $4,310 |
| 26 | Wahkiakum County | 0.59% | $343,600 | $2,014 | $1,058 | $2,772 | $3,516 |
| 27 | Adams County | 1.20% | $160,300 | $1,914 | $842 | $2,694 | $3,729 |
| 28 | Whitman County | 1.40% | $123,566 | $1,761 | $619 | $3,189 | $4,870 |
| 29 | Asotin County | 1.05% | $159,700 | $1,727 | $709 | $2,710 | $4,075 |
| 30 | Grant County | 1.12% | $160,157 | $1,689 | $547 | $3,101 | $4,354 |
| 31 | Pend Oreille County | 0.86% | $200,446 | $1,581 | $736 | $2,636 | $3,644 |
| 32 | Pacific County | 0.72% | $235,200 | $1,578 | $600 | $2,531 | $3,626 |
| 33 | Okanogan County | 0.85% | $177,100 | $1,530 | $536 | $2,869 | $4,701 |
| 34 | Stevens County | 0.74% | $211,472 | $1,474 | $628 | $2,522 | $3,829 |
| 35 | Klickitat County | 0.95% | $160,125 | $1,439 | $601 | $2,885 | $4,713 |
| 36 | Columbia County | 1.09% | $142,200 | $1,401 | $383 | $2,535 | $3,659 |
| 37 | Ferry County | 0.90% | $104,150 | $856 | $435 | $1,669 | $2,628 |
| 38 | Garfield County | 1.01% | $86,600 | $787 | $142 | $1,670 | $2,370 |
| 39 | Lincoln County | 0.87% | $93,780 | $662 | $197 | $1,676 | $2,729 |
Source: Ownwell
How to Appeal Your Property Taxes in Washington
You can appeal if your assessed value is higher than your home's market value as of January 1 of the assessment year.
Review your change of value notice
County assessors mail notices when values change, typically in spring or summer.
File with the County Board of Equalization
The deadline is July 1 or 30 days after your notice was mailed, whichever is later. Some counties allow up to 60 days.
Board hearing
The board reviews evidence from you and the assessor, such as recent comparable sales or an appraisal. In Washington, the homeowner must show the assessor's value is incorrect.
Further appeal
If you disagree with the board's decision, you can appeal to the State Board of Tax Appeals within 30 days.
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Washington Property Tax Exemptions
Washington doesn't have a general homestead exemption. Its main relief program exempts senior citizens, people with disabilities, and disabled veterans, reducing taxes for homeowners who meet income limits and own and live in their home. Washington also offers property tax deferral programs for eligible seniors and limited-income homeowners. Apply with your county assessor.
Key Dates
| Date | What Happens |
|---|---|
| January 1 | Property valued for the tax year |
| Spring to summer | Change of value notices mailed |
| July 1 | Appeal deadline in most counties |
| July through December | Appeal deadlines vary by county, especially King County, which has a rolling deadline starting in August |
| February | Tax bills mailed |
| April 30 | First half of taxes due |
| October 31 | Second half of taxes due |
Frequently Asked Property Tax Questions in Washington
What is the average property tax rate in Washington?
Why did my property taxes go up in Washington?
Which Washington county has the highest property taxes?
When is the property tax appeal deadline in Washington?
When are property taxes due in Washington?
Does Washington have a homestead exemption?
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