Estimate your Washington property tax based on the state's 0.76% average effective rate. Enter your home value for an instant, free calculation.
Enter any tax exemption amount you qualify for in Washington
Washington keeps property taxes below the national average through two constitutional brakes: a 1% cap on regular levies and a limit that holds each district's levy growth to about 1% a year. Assessors value homes annually at full market value in dollars per $1,000.
County assessors value property annually at 100% of true and fair market value, with a physical inspection at least every six years. The state constitution caps total non-voter-approved (regular) levies at 1% of value, and state law limits each district's regular levy growth to 1% per year (or inflation, whichever is lower), excluding new construction and voter-approved levies. Rates are stated per $1,000 of assessed value.
| Home Value | Estimated Annual Tax | Monthly (Escrow) |
|---|---|---|
| $250,000 | $1,900 | $158/mo |
| $552,000 (median) | $4,195 | $350/mo |
| $600,000 | $4,560 | $380/mo |
Effective rates vary within Washington. These figures are median-tax-to-median-value estimates from U.S. Census ACS data (2019–2023 ACS 5-year (SmartAsset)) for some of the most populous counties:
| County | Effective Rate |
|---|---|
| King County | 0.82% |
| Pierce County | 0.88% |
| Snohomish County | 0.75% |
| Spokane County | 0.83% |
| Clark County | 0.79% |
| Thurston County | 0.81% |
| Kitsap County | 0.76% |
| Whatcom County | 0.70% |
Among these counties, effective rates range from about 0.70% in Whatcom County to 0.88% in Pierce County. Your actual rate depends on the local mill/millage set by your county, city, and school district.
Washington has no general homestead exemption reducing property tax for all owner-occupants (the state Homestead Act is creditor protection, not a tax break). Relief instead comes through senior, disabled, and veteran exemption and deferral programs run by county assessors.
Homeowners 61 or older, those retired due to disability, or veterans with an 80%+ service-connected disability (or compensated at the 100% rate) may qualify for an exemption if household income is at or below a county threshold (for example, roughly $84,000 in King County for 2025; thresholds vary). VA disability compensation is excluded from countable income, and a separate deferral program lets qualifying owners postpone payment.
The full year's tax is due April 30. If the total exceeds $50, owners may pay in halves — the first half by April 30 and the second half by October 31 — with interest and penalties on amounts not paid by the deadlines.
Appeal an assessed value to the county Board of Equalization, generally by July 1 of the assessment year or within 30 to 60 days of the value-change notice, whichever is later. Further appeal goes to the state Board of Tax Appeals.
Washington's effective property tax rate is about 0.75% of home value, below the national average, held down by the 1% constitutional levy cap and the 1% annual levy-growth limit.
The state constitution limits total regular (non-voter-approved) property taxes to 1% of a property's value, and each taxing district's regular levy can grow only about 1% per year; voter-approved levies can push a total bill above 1%.
Yes. Owners 61 or older (or retired due to disability, or qualifying disabled veterans) with income under a county-set threshold can receive an exemption, and a deferral program is also available. Applications go to the county assessor.