Washington property tax calculator
The yearly payment from Washington homeowners has a median of $4,556, equal to 0.81% of $564,600, the median home value.
This gives you an estimate, not an actual bill. Your county assessor (or an appraisal district in some states) determines the value, while local taxing units set the rates. Check with your county first, before you pay or file a protest.
Washington property tax rate and a typical bill
Washington's rate is lower than the US figure of 0.94%. County rates across Washington range from 0.53% in San Juan County to 0.91% in Pierce County. These medians cover owner-occupied homes and come from Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates covering 2020 to 2024.
What a yearly bill looks like for typical Washington home values
| Home value | State median rate, 0.81% | San Juan County, 0.53% | Pierce County, 0.91% |
|---|---|---|---|
| $200,000 | $1,620 | $1,060 | $1,820 |
| $300,000 | $2,430 | $1,590 | $2,730 |
| $400,000 | $3,240 | $2,120 | $3,640 |
| $500,000 | $4,050 | $2,650 | $4,550 |
Multiply the home value by the effective rate. The lowest county rate in Washington belongs to San Juan County, while Pierce County has the highest; the calculator applies the rate for your county.
Property tax rates for Washington counties
- under 0.66%
- 0.66% to 0.71%
- 0.71% to 0.77%
- 0.77% to 0.82%
- 0.82% and up
Top rates in Washington
| County | Effective rate | Median yearly tax |
|---|---|---|
| Pierce County | 0.91% | $4,770 |
| Thurston County | 0.88% | $4,209 |
| Walla Walla County | 0.85% | $3,492 |
| Columbia County | 0.85% | $2,303 |
| Spokane County | 0.84% | $3,434 |
Where rates run lowest in Washington
| County | Effective rate | Median yearly tax |
|---|---|---|
| San Juan County | 0.53% | $4,253 |
| Pend Oreille County | 0.58% | $2,142 |
| Stevens County | 0.59% | $2,065 |
| Lincoln County | 0.60% | $1,744 |
| Wahkiakum County | 0.60% | $2,392 |
Each of the 39 Washington counties, A to Z
| County | Effective rate | Median yearly tax | Median home value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adams County | 0.79% | $2,147 | $273,300 |
| Asotin County | 0.72% | $2,340 | $325,600 |
| Benton County | 0.78% | $3,163 | $407,800 |
| Chelan County | 0.71% | $3,503 | $490,100 |
| Clallam County | 0.72% | $3,050 | $421,800 |
| Clark County | 0.82% | $4,290 | $522,900 |
| Columbia County | 0.85% | $2,303 | $271,200 |
| Cowlitz County | 0.82% | $3,245 | $397,500 |
| Douglas County | 0.77% | $3,319 | $432,500 |
| Ferry County | 0.64% | $1,801 | $283,400 |
| Franklin County | 0.72% | $2,750 | $379,300 |
| Garfield County | 0.66% | $1,574 | $239,200 |
| Grant County | 0.78% | $2,339 | $299,500 |
| Grays Harbor County | 0.80% | $2,512 | $314,000 |
| Island County | 0.67% | $3,999 | $593,300 |
| Jefferson County | 0.71% | $3,818 | $535,000 |
| King County | 0.83% | $7,114 | $859,900 |
| Kitsap County | 0.77% | $4,279 | $555,100 |
| Kittitas County | 0.71% | $3,552 | $497,400 |
| Klickitat County | 0.62% | $2,639 | $425,300 |
| Lewis County | 0.67% | $2,581 | $385,800 |
| Lincoln County | 0.60% | $1,744 | $292,800 |
| Mason County | 0.73% | $3,006 | $411,800 |
| Okanogan County | 0.76% | $2,281 | $299,800 |
| Pacific County | 0.71% | $2,395 | $334,800 |
| Pend Oreille County | 0.58% | $2,142 | $367,900 |
| Pierce County | 0.91% | $4,770 | $526,600 |
| San Juan County | 0.53% | $4,253 | $799,200 |
| Skagit County | 0.79% | $4,308 | $545,100 |
| Skamania County | 0.67% | $3,532 | $529,500 |
| Snohomish County | 0.77% | $5,364 | $696,000 |
| Spokane County | 0.84% | $3,434 | $410,700 |
| Stevens County | 0.59% | $2,065 | $350,600 |
| Thurston County | 0.88% | $4,209 | $480,300 |
| Wahkiakum County | 0.60% | $2,392 | $396,800 |
| Walla Walla County | 0.85% | $3,492 | $408,900 |
| Whatcom County | 0.70% | $4,087 | $585,800 |
| Whitman County | 0.75% | $2,691 | $359,600 |
| Yakima County | 0.79% | $2,463 | $310,100 |
Census American Community Survey 2020 to 2024 reports owner-occupied home figures in two tables: B25103 for taxes paid and B25077 for home value, both as medians. Divide the median tax by the median value to get the effective rate. Download all counties as a CSV file.
The Washington homestead exemption
A property tax exemption is available to people with disabilities and to senior citizens. The main homeowner program serves seniors and disabled persons who live in the primary residence they own. Their combined disposable income must be at or below the county's Income Threshold 3. Submit your application through the county assessor.
How to apply: Submit the Application for Senior Citizen and Disabled Persons Exemption from Real Property Taxes and a Combined Disposable Income Worksheet to your county assessor. A renewal must happen at least once in each six-year period.
The source is dor.wa.gov.
Appealing a Washington property tax assessment
APPEAL BYThe later of the two applies: July 1, or 30 days from the mailing of the notice
Send your appeal to the county board of equalization for the area where the property is located, contesting the assessed value. Submit the petition for the assessment year by July 1, or within 30 days after mailing of the value change notice, whichever is later. Some counties give you as many as 60 days to file.
Where the first hearing takes place: the county board of equalization.
The source is dor.wa.gov.
Due dates for Washington property taxes
You pay Washington property tax in two parts: the first half by April 30 and the second half by October 31. Any tax left unpaid past its due date becomes delinquent and adds 1% interest for every month.
Source: dor.wa.gov
Help for older homeowners in Washington
An income-based exemption is available to homeowners who own and occupy their home, are 61 or older (57 for a surviving spouse), or cannot work because of a disability. Each county picks the income limit, while taxable value stays frozen under the program.
The source is dor.wa.gov.
Exemption for disabled veterans in Washington
A disabled veteran can qualify by Dec. 31 of the assessment year for that same income-based property tax exemption when the service-connected rating is at least 80% or payment is made at the VA 100% rate.
See dor.wa.gov for details.
Help for homeowners with a disability
A disabled veteran rated under 80% by the VA may still qualify in King County through the disability category. You need a Proof of Disability Statement that a doctor signed, or a Social Security award letter.
From cdn.kingcounty.gov, a local office; county rules can vary.
How your home is valued in Washington
County assessors value every property, homes included, at 100% of the true and fair market value, measured in money. They base that value on the property's highest and best use. The tax is collected by county treasurers, and the Department of Revenue supervises the whole process.
See dor.wa.gov for the source.
Other Washington property tax rules to know
- In Washington, a deferral program covers people with disabilities and seniors who are age 60 or older as of December 31. It covers property taxes that are current or delinquent, plus special assessments. The deferred amount grows by 5% simple interest, and you repay it when the home sells.
- You may defer the second-half installment if your combined disposable income is $57,000 or less and you have owned your Washington home for five years. The filing deadline is September 1 annually.
- Qualifying veterans' widows and widowers can get a property tax assistance grant if they are at least 62, or disabled, and have not remarried. If they remain in the home until December 15, it does not need to be repaid.
- Either side may appeal a ruling by the King County Board of Equalization by sending a filing to the Washington State Board of Tax Appeals no later than 30 days after the decision is mailed.
Sources for these rules: dor.wa.gov; kingcounty.gov (a local office).
How Washington compares with other states
The property tax rates by state table shows where the Washington rate ranks among every state. Check homestead exemption eligibility elsewhere, or look up each state's appeal deadline.