Property Taxes in Des Moines, Washington
Median Des Moines, Washington effective property tax rate: 1.18%, significantly higher than the national median of 1.02%, and higher than the Washington state median of 0.92%.
Median Des Moines, Washington home value: $544,000
Median annual Des Moines, Washington tax bill: $6,256, $3,856 higher than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.
How are property taxes in King calculated?
Property taxes in Des Moines, Washington 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 Des Moines's property tax system, exemptions, and reduction opportunities can lead to significant savings. Regardless of where you live in Des Moines, knowing local tax details benefits homeowners and investors.
Last Updated April 13, 2026
How Does the Des Moines Property Tax Calculator Work?
Use this Des Moines property tax calculator to estimate your annual tax bill. Enter your property's assessed value and our calculator applies Des Moines's median effective tax rate of 1.18% — based on actual property records in King 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 Des Moines'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 Des Moines: rates range from $6,229.00 in 98198 to $6,417.00 in 98148, primarily due to differences in school district levies and local assessment districts.
If your estimate is higher than expected, Ownwell can appeal your Des Moines assessment — you only pay if we save you money.
About Des Moines Property Taxes
About Property Taxes in Des Moines, King, Washington
Des Moines’s median effective property tax rate of 1.18% is higher than the Washington state median of 0.92% and higher than the national median of 1.02%. This rate reflects the King County base levy combined with local school district levies and Local improvement districts (LIDs) that vary by subdivision throughout the city.
Property tax rates are not uniform across Des Moines. Homeowners in the 98148 ZIP code carry a median effective rate of 1.18%, while those in 98198 pay 1.18%. This spread reflects how school district boundaries and local assessment districts are drawn across King County. Understanding which part of Des Moines you live in can make a meaningful difference to your annual tax bill.
Des Moines homeowners who believe their assessed value is too high can file a formal appeal with the local Tax Assessor before the July 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 Des Moines, King County, Washington
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 Des Moines's effective property tax rate to other cities in Washington and the median property tax rates in Washington 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 Des Moines Tax Rate
1.18%
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 King County Tax Rate
0.99%
Median Effective Washington Tax Rate
0.92%
Median Effective United States Tax Rate
1.27%
Property Tax Rates Across Des Moines, King County, Washington
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Rate | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 98148 | 1.14% | 1.17% | 1.18% | 1.19% | 1.22% |
| 98198 | 1.05% | 1.10% | 1.18% | 1.21% | 1.30% |
Source: Ownwell
Save on Your Property Taxes and More With Ownwell
$774
Average Annual Tax Savings
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Des Moines, King County, Washington
When examining property taxes in Des Moines, Washington, 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 King County tax assessor 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 King County, assessment notices are sent in July each year. They'll typically reach your mailbox by the middle of July.
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 example, the median home price in Des Moines is $544,000, with tax bills ranging significantly across the county. The highest median home price is in 98198 at $544,000, while the highest median tax bill is in 98148 at $6,417.
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Des Moines, King County, Washington
Source: Ownwell
$275,000
$3,858,750
$7,442,500
Median Des Moines Market Value
$544,000
Median King County Market Value
$774,000
Median Washington Market Value
$501,600
Median United States Market Value
$274,101
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Des Moines, King County, Washington
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Home Price | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 98148 | $460,000 | $499,000 | $543,500 | $626,000 | $707,000 |
| 98198 | $314,000 | $464,000 | $544,000 | $653,000 | $861,000 |
Source: Ownwell
Save on Your Property Taxes and More With Ownwell
$774
Average Annual Tax Savings
Property Tax Bills Across Des Moines, King County, Washington
Property tax bills in Des Moines are based on the assessed value of a home and the local tax rate set by taxing authorities in King County. When a property’s market value rises, the assessed value can also increase, which may lead to a higher tax bill. For a home with a median market value of $544,000, the tax burden can vary widely, with bills often falling between $5,156 and $7,501, and reaching $9,574 at the 90th percentile. That is well above the national median property tax bill of $2,400, which can make a noticeable difference for homeowners.
Because property taxes are tied to valuation, even small assessment errors can cost you money year after year. Ownwell helps homeowners appeal unfair assessments and identify exemption opportunities that may lower their property tax bills. By reviewing your property’s assessed value and comparing it to local market data, Ownwell works to reduce what you owe and keep more money in your pocket.
Median Des Moines Tax Bill
$6,256
Median King County Tax Bill
$7,644
Median Washington Tax Bill
$4,512
Median United States Tax Bill
$3,209
Property Tax Bills Across Des Moines, King County, Washington
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Bill | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 98148 | $4,820 | $5,843 | $6,417 | $7,378 | $8,304 |
| 98198 | $3,188 | $5,032 | $6,229 | $7,525 | $9,800 |
Source: Ownwell
Save on Your Property Taxes and More With Ownwell
$774
Average Annual Tax Savings
Don't miss the deadline to appeal!
Dates | |
|---|---|
| Appeal Deadline | July 1 |
| Tax Bill | |
| Issued | February 10 |
| Due Date #1 | April 30 |
| Due Date #2 | October 31 |
Links | |
|---|---|
| King Tax Assessor | |
| Phone | (206) 296-7300 |
| Website | blue.kingcounty.com |
| assessor.info@kingcounty.gov | |