In tax year 2026, the median Pierce County homeowner paid $4,961 in property taxes, a median effective rate of 1.01% of market value, compared with 0.92% statewide. Washington assesses homes at 100% of true and fair market value, and regular local taxing district levies can grow only 1% per year plus additions for new construction.
In Pierce County, rates range from 0.73% in Carbonado to 1.13% in University Place.
- Median Pierce County effective property tax rate: 1.01%
- Median Pierce County home value: $495,600
- Median Pierce County property tax bill: $4,961
Last Updated October 26, 2026
How Property Taxes Work in Pierce County
The Pierce County Assessor values real property at 100% of its true and fair market value as of January 1 and updates values annually. Your bill is that assessed value, minus exemptions, multiplied by the combined levy rate of the state, county, city, school district, and special districts like fire protection and library systems. Tax rates are expressed per $1,000 of assessed value.
Washington operates a budget-based property tax system. Most taxing districts can increase their regular property tax levy collections by only 1% per year without voter approval, plus allowances for new construction.
When property values rise faster than adopted budget levies, tax rates automatically adjust downward, so an increase in your assessed value does not necessarily lead to an equal increase in your tax bill.
What matters most is whether your property's value changed at a faster rate than the average change across your taxing district.
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 Pierce County Effective Property Tax Rate
1.01%
Median Pierce County Home Value
$495,600
Median Pierce County Tax Bill
$4,961
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.
Because levy rates shift annually under Washington's budget-based tax framework, effective tax rates provide the clearest, most reliable measure to evaluate true tax burdens across Pierce County and the state.
Property Tax Rates and Bills by City
| Rank | City | Median Effective Tax Rate | Median Home Value | Median Tax Bill | 25th % Bill | 75th % Bill | 90th % Bill |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fox Island | 0.89% | $978,400 | $8,520 | $6,142 | $12,092 | $15,978 |
| 2 | Lake Tapps | 0.97% | $754,700 | $7,119 | $5,497 | $10,209 | $14,987 |
| 3 | University Place | 1.13% | $605,100 | $6,802 | $5,890 | $8,008 | $10,012 |
| 4 | Gig Harbor | 0.89% | $718,100 | $6,180 | $4,747 | $8,522 | $12,225 |
| 5 | Enumclaw | 0.89% | $690,000 | $6,087 | $3,024 | $7,778 | $10,503 |
| 6 | Edgewood | 0.95% | $637,100 | $6,034 | $5,006 | $7,398 | $8,840 |
| 7 | Auburn | 1.09% | $554,900 | $6,021 | $4,921 | $7,271 | $8,277 |
| 8 | Ruston | 0.89% | $630,500 | $5,580 | $4,424 | $7,935 | $9,923 |
| 9 | Fircrest | 0.95% | $571,400 | $5,377 | $4,432 | $6,160 | $6,869 |
| 10 | Graham | 1.10% | $479,150 | $5,191 | $3,727 | $6,412 | $7,993 |
| 11 | Bonney Lake | 0.97% | $540,900 | $5,183 | $4,154 | $6,398 | $7,642 |
| 12 | Vaughn | 0.82% | $612,900 | $5,120 | $3,069 | $7,219 | $10,440 |
| 13 | Buckley | 0.95% | $542,350 | $5,001 | $3,692 | $6,356 | $8,177 |
| 14 | Puyallup | 1.00% | $497,000 | $4,986 | $4,186 | $5,841 | $6,809 |
| 15 | Milton | 0.97% | $512,300 | $4,940 | $3,834 | $5,848 | $7,222 |
| 16 | Sumner | 0.97% | $512,450 | $4,902 | $3,873 | $5,868 | $7,234 |
| 17 | Spanaway | 1.11% | $435,700 | $4,800 | $4,039 | $5,418 | $6,196 |
| 18 | Tacoma | 1.05% | $456,700 | $4,739 | $3,858 | $5,829 | $7,502 |
| 19 | Roy | 1.01% | $464,000 | $4,654 | $2,788 | $6,179 | $7,754 |
| 20 | Lakewood | 1.00% | $462,000 | $4,571 | $3,651 | $5,626 | $7,279 |
| 21 | Steilacoom | 0.81% | $573,650 | $4,530 | $3,474 | $6,418 | $8,309 |
| 22 | Fife | 0.90% | $501,300 | $4,453 | $3,751 | $5,043 | $5,709 |
| 23 | Orting | 0.87% | $487,500 | $4,234 | $3,580 | $4,995 | $5,912 |
| 24 | Eatonville | 0.94% | $469,300 | $4,165 | $2,901 | $5,795 | $7,607 |
| 25 | Longbranch | 0.83% | $508,400 | $4,163 | $2,667 | $6,004 | $8,399 |
| 26 | Anderson Island | 1.06% | $398,250 | $4,089 | $2,972 | $5,762 | $7,723 |
| 27 | South Prairie | 0.91% | $416,700 | $3,767 | $3,160 | $4,158 | $5,676 |
| 28 | Dupont | 0.77% | $495,700 | $3,763 | $3,156 | $4,327 | $4,965 |
| 29 | Lakebay | 0.85% | $430,150 | $3,578 | $2,238 | $5,050 | $7,105 |
| 30 | Mckenna | 0.97% | $359,400 | $3,554 | $2,377 | $4,428 | $4,736 |
| 31 | Wilkeson | 0.81% | $401,700 | $3,252 | $2,599 | $3,943 | $5,978 |
| 32 | Carbonado | 0.73% | $418,050 | $2,986 | $2,293 | $4,468 | $6,707 |
| 33 | Elbe | 0.93% | $261,100 | $2,382 | $1,513 | $3,915 | $4,941 |
| 34 | Ashford | 0.91% | $260,000 | $2,266 | $1,099 | $3,397 | $4,666 |
| 35 | Pacific | 1.10% | $99,900 | $1,036 | $423 | $2,375 | $4,275 |
| — | Belfair | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| — | Bothell | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| — | Federal Way | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| — | Home | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| — | Joint Base Lewis Mcchord | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| — | Kapowsin | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| — | Mcchord Afb | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| — | Wauna | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Source: Ownwell
How to Appeal Your Property Taxes in Pierce County
You can appeal your assessment in Pierce County if your assessed value is higher than your home's true and fair market value as of January 1 of the assessment year.
Review your change of value notice
The Pierce County Assessor mails change-of-value notices when assessments change, typically in spring or summer. Check your home's assessed value, land value, square footage, and property characteristics for errors.
File with the County Board of Equalization
Submit your formal petition to the Pierce County Board of Equalization. The filing deadline is July 1 of the assessment year or within 30 days after your change-of-value notice was mailed, whichever is later (up to 60 days in select counties).
Assemble market evidence
Gather sales of comparable homes in your immediate area that sold on or before January 1 of the assessment year, an independent fee appraisal, or photos documenting property condition issues. In Washington, the assessor's valuation is legally presumed correct, so the burden of proof rests on the homeowner to demonstrate improper valuation.
Board of Equalization hearing
The Pierce County Board of Equalization reviews the evidence submitted by both you and the assessor and determines the market value of your property.
Further appeal
If you disagree with the Board of Equalization's decision, you can file an appeal with the Washington State Board of Tax Appeals within 30 days of the decision mailing date, or pursue action in Superior Court.
Save on Your Property Taxes and More With Ownwell
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Average Annual Tax Savings
Washington Property Tax Exemptions
Washington does not offer a general homestead exemption for all primary residences. Instead, property tax relief is targeted through state-authorized exemption and deferral programs:
- Senior Citizens and People with Disabilities Exemption: Reduces or freezes property taxes on a primary residence for homeowners age 61 and older, individuals retired due to physical disability, or qualifying disabled veterans who meet county income thresholds and own and occupy their home.
- Property Tax Deferral Programs: Qualified seniors and limited-income homeowners can defer payment of property taxes and special assessments on up to 50% of the equity in their primary residence.
- Disabled Veterans Exemption: Provides property tax relief for qualifying veterans with service-connected disabilities and their surviving spouses.
Exemption applications must be filed directly with the Pierce County Assessor.
Key Dates
| Date | What Happens |
|---|---|
| January 1 | Assessment date; property valued for the tax year |
| Spring to summer | Change of value notices mailed by the Pierce County Assessor |
| July 1 (or 30-60 days after notice) | Appeal deadline with the Pierce County Board of Equalization |
| February | Annual property tax bills mailed |
| April 30 | First half of property taxes due |
| October 31 | Second half of property taxes due |
Frequently Asked Property Tax Questions in Pierce County
What is the average property tax rate in Pierce County?
Which city in Pierce County has the highest and lowest property taxes?
Why did my property taxes go up in Pierce County?
When is the property tax appeal deadline in Pierce County?
When are property taxes due in Pierce County?
Does Washington have a homestead exemption?
Is it worth appealing property taxes in Pierce County?
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