Franklin County, Washington Property Taxes

What Are Effective Property Tax Rates Across Franklin County?

Local government entities set tax rates, which vary widely across Franklin County. Each year, the county estimates its budget for public services and divides that total by the assessed value of all taxable property within its jurisdiction.

Below, compare Franklin County's effective property tax rate to other counties in Washington or the U.S. median of 1.02%.

Franklin County's median effective rate stands at 0.79%, which is lower than the national median of 1.02%. Within Franklin County, the highest rate is found in Kennewick at 0.79%, while Kahlotus has the lowest at 0.59%.

These variations reflect differences in local school district levies, Local improvement districts (LIDs) assessments, and special district bonds — which compound the base county rate.

Property tax bills in Franklin County, Washington are based on the assessed value of a home and the local tax rate set by taxing districts. When a property’s market value changes, the assessed value can change too, which affects the final bill. For a home with a median home price of $384,500, the tax bill is not a flat amount; it is calculated by applying the local levy rate to the assessed value and then adjusting for the mix of county, city, school, and other local services.

Homeowners in Franklin County may see very different bills depending on where they live. The 25th percentile tax bill is $2,390, while the 75th percentile is $3,763 and the 90th percentile reaches $4,937. That means two similar homes can owe different amounts if they are in different taxing areas. In places like Pasco, the median tax bill is $3,092, while Kahlotus has a much lower median tax bill of $663. These differences can have a major impact on monthly housing costs and long-term affordability.