Washington State Property Tax Calculator

What is Washington state's property tax rate?

WA property tax rates vary by county and include multiple overlapping levies: state levy (~$2.70 per $1,000 assessed value), county levy, school district levy (often the largest component), and special purpose levies (fire, library, hospital, transit). Total effective rates range from ~0.85% (King County) to ~1.15% (Spokane County). The statewide average is ~0.93%.

Why is King County (Seattle) property tax lower than other counties?

King County's effective rate (~0.85%) is lower partly because home values are very high (median home ~$750K+). The state levy is a flat dollar amount per $1,000, not a percentage of value — so as values rise, the effective rate falls. However, the actual dollar amount paid is much higher than lower-value counties: $750,000 at 0.85% = $6,375/year vs $250,000 at 1.15% = $2,875/year.

What is the WA senior property tax exemption?

Seniors (61+) and disabled persons with household income below $55,000 may qualify for property tax exemptions. Income under $30,000: assessed value is frozen at the value when you qualified, and you may be exempt from excess levies. $30,000–$40,000: pay taxes on a reduced assessed value. $40,000–$55,000: partial exemption from excess levies. Apply at your county assessor's office.

Does WA have a property tax cap?

Washington has a 1% annual growth cap on regular property tax levies. The total regular levy cannot increase more than 1% per year or the inflation rate (whichever is lower), regardless of rising property values — voters must approve levy lid lifts. However, assessed values still rise with the market, which effectively lowers the levy rate but may raise dollar amounts if values rise faster than the cap.