Owning in Virginia
Data from January 2026
Property tax in Virginia
The typical owner in Virginia pays $2,790 a year, about 0.73% of the home’s value (0.94% nationwide). Here are the exemptions and discounts the state publishes, the deadlines to claim them or appeal, and every county’s figure.
Key numbers in Virginia
- Typical tax
- $2,790
- per year, typical household
- 11% less than the U.S.
- Effective rate
- 0.73%
- tax ÷ value (estimate)
- 22% less than the U.S.
- United States
- 0.94%
- national effective rate
- Exemptions and relief
- 3
- published by the state, with the source
The state's rules
Virginia's rules, in one table
The assessment cap, the homestead exemption, when to protest and when to pay, as Virginia's official source states them. Tap "What the source says" to read the exact text.
| Rule | What Virginia says | Source |
|---|---|---|
| What triggers a new assessment | In Virginia, each county holds a general reassessment of real estate every four years, or every three if its board of supervisors so votes. Counties of 50,000 people or fewer may do it every five or six years. A county may also assess every year or every two years. (Cities follow another section of the Code.) What the source says· Va. Code § 58.1-3252“There shall be a general reassessment of real estate every four years or, if determined by majority vote of a county's board of supervisors, every three years. Any county that has a total population of 50,000 or less may elect by majority vote of its board of supervisors to conduct its general reassessments at either five-year or six-year intervals. … Nothing in this section shall affect the power of any county to use the annual or biennial assessment method as authorized by law.” | Code of Virginia (Virginia General Assembly) Verified November 6, 2026 |
| Protest deadline Set by your county or town | In Virginia the appeal deadline is set by each county or city by ordinance, and it must appear on your notice of assessment. Your locality's board of equalization hears complaints that your home is assessed above its fair market value as of Jan. 1, or unequally. For a home, your application only needs the address, the parcel number and the value you propose; you may file on paper or, where your locality allows, electronically. What the source says· Va. Code § 58.1-3378“The board also shall hear complaints that real property is assessed at more than fair market value. … The governing body of any county or city may provide by ordinance the date by which applications must be made by property owners or lessees for relief. Such date shall not be earlier than 30 days after the termination of the date set by the assessing officer to hear objections to the assessments as provided in § 58.1-3330 . … All such deadlines shall be clearly stated on the notice of assessment. … The governing body may provide for applications for relief to be made electronically; however, taxpayers retain the right to file applications on traditional paper forms provided by the governing body as long as such forms are submitted prior to the established deadline.” | Code of Virginia (Virginia General Assembly) Verified November 6, 2026 |
| When to pay | Payment dates are set by each county, city or town by ordinance; it may collect the tax in a single installment or in two equal installments. Find the dates on your bill or with your locality's treasurer. What the source says· Va. Code § 58.1-3916“The governing body may also by ordinance establish due dates for the payment of local taxes; may provide that payment be made in a single installment or in two equal installments;” | Code of Virginia (Virginia General Assembly) Verified November 6, 2026 |
Not verified yet: Cap on your home, Cap on other property, Homestead exemption.
Did your assessment go up?By place
Every county, with its figure
What the typical owner pays in each county of Virginia, with the typical home value and the effective rate. Highest tax first.
| City of Falls Church | $10,001 | $1,055,600 | 0.95% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arlington County | $8,153 | $895,000 | 0.91% |
| Fairfax County | $7,368 | $732,800 | 1.01% |
| City of Alexandria | $7,024 | $735,100 | 0.96% |
| City of Fairfax | $6,515 | $722,600 | 0.90% |
| Loudoun County | $6,325 | $743,800 | 0.85% |
| Prince William County | $4,999 | $530,100 | 0.94% |
| City of Manassas | $4,923 | $449,900 | 1.09% |
| City of Manassas Park | $4,636 | $395,900 | 1.17% |
| Fauquier County | $4,320 | $573,700 | 0.75% |
| City of Charlottesville | $3,915 | $486,700 | 0.80% |
| Albemarle County | $3,719 | $495,400 | 0.75% |
| City of Poquoson | $3,690 | $400,300 | 0.92% |
| Stafford County | $3,410 | $485,100 | 0.70% |
| City of Suffolk | $3,229 | $347,400 | 0.93% |
| City of Richmond | $3,150 | $353,000 | 0.89% |
| City of Chesapeake | $3,108 | $378,400 | 0.82% |
| City of Virginia Beach | $3,061 | $382,500 | 0.80% |
| City of Fredericksburg | $2,907 | $483,700 | 0.60% |
| James City County | $2,901 | $447,200 | 0.65% |
| City of Norfolk | $2,890 | $289,900 | 1.00% |
| York County | $2,794 | $433,200 | 0.64% |
| Chesterfield County | $2,773 | $366,000 | 0.76% |
| Clarke County | $2,657 | $550,100 | 0.48% |
| City of Newport News | $2,634 | $260,600 | 1.01% |
| Hanover County | $2,627 | $400,400 | 0.66% |
| City of Winchester | $2,591 | $343,000 | 0.76% |
| Henrico County | $2,565 | $359,200 | 0.71% |
| City of Portsmouth | $2,557 | $246,900 | 1.04% |
| City of Williamsburg | $2,518 | $428,100 | 0.59% |
| Isle of Wight County | $2,510 | $356,500 | 0.70% |
| Rappahannock County | $2,505 | $506,400 | 0.49% |
| New Kent County | $2,503 | $393,600 | 0.64% |
| Goochland County | $2,496 | $500,600 | 0.50% |
| Powhatan County | $2,448 | $416,000 | 0.59% |
| Roanoke County | $2,436 | $286,000 | 0.85% |
| Spotsylvania County | $2,347 | $404,900 | 0.58% |
| City of Hampton | $2,327 | $245,700 | 0.95% |
| City of Salem | $2,316 | $258,600 | 0.90% |
| City of Harrisonburg | $2,281 | $299,100 | 0.76% |
| King George County | $2,254 | $428,300 | 0.53% |
| Montgomery County | $2,249 | $304,600 | 0.74% |
| City of Lexington | $2,224 | $275,200 | 0.81% |
| Prince George County | $2,184 | $293,400 | 0.74% |
| Culpeper County | $2,141 | $409,200 | 0.52% |
| Greene County | $2,086 | $343,300 | 0.61% |
| City of Colonial Heights | $2,071 | $246,600 | 0.84% |
| Orange County | $1,997 | $364,200 | 0.55% |
| Madison County | $1,968 | $370,300 | 0.53% |
| Fluvanna County | $1,967 | $314,100 | 0.63% |
| City of Roanoke | $1,893 | $190,500 | 0.99% |
| Louisa County | $1,883 | $315,300 | 0.60% |
| Gloucester County | $1,878 | $331,000 | 0.57% |
| Botetourt County | $1,862 | $289,200 | 0.64% |
| Frederick County | $1,846 | $386,000 | 0.48% |
| City of Franklin | $1,821 | $256,600 | 0.71% |
| Warren County | $1,819 | $348,400 | 0.52% |
| City of Staunton | $1,818 | $259,200 | 0.70% |
| Northampton County | $1,807 | $316,200 | 0.57% |
| City of Lynchburg | $1,804 | $229,800 | 0.79% |
| Middlesex County | $1,778 | $352,200 | 0.50% |
| King William County | $1,729 | $315,700 | 0.55% |
| Surry County | $1,651 | $238,800 | 0.69% |
| Northumberland County | $1,645 | $346,800 | 0.47% |
| Rockingham County | $1,645 | $313,000 | 0.53% |
| City of Waynesboro | $1,639 | $245,500 | 0.67% |
| Westmoreland County | $1,628 | $269,600 | 0.60% |
| Nelson County | $1,622 | $321,700 | 0.50% |
| Caroline County | $1,597 | $307,700 | 0.52% |
| City of Radford | $1,581 | $220,700 | 0.72% |
| City of Hopewell | $1,564 | $181,600 | 0.86% |
| Lancaster County | $1,558 | $327,000 | 0.48% |
| Mathews County | $1,547 | $360,900 | 0.43% |
| Shenandoah County | $1,528 | $294,900 | 0.52% |
| City of Petersburg | $1,523 | $189,000 | 0.81% |
| Page County | $1,497 | $233,200 | 0.64% |
| Rockbridge County | $1,492 | $248,800 | 0.60% |
| Augusta County | $1,446 | $306,100 | 0.47% |
| City of Buena Vista | $1,421 | $156,200 | 0.91% |
| Southampton County | $1,418 | $216,200 | 0.66% |
| Dinwiddie County | $1,409 | $257,800 | 0.55% |
| City of Bristol | $1,387 | $184,100 | 0.75% |
| Cumberland County | $1,361 | $239,300 | 0.57% |
| Essex County | $1,348 | $238,100 | 0.57% |
| Charles City County | $1,343 | $241,400 | 0.56% |
| Richmond County | $1,290 | $231,500 | 0.56% |
| Bedford County | $1,285 | $297,400 | 0.43% |
| Floyd County | $1,245 | $225,400 | 0.55% |
| King and Queen County | $1,209 | $231,600 | 0.52% |
| Pulaski County | $1,202 | $191,700 | 0.63% |
| Franklin County | $1,196 | $240,400 | 0.50% |
| City of Emporia | $1,171 | $148,500 | 0.79% |
| Highland County | $1,135 | $200,000 | 0.57% |
| Amelia County | $1,079 | $282,400 | 0.38% |
| Sussex County | $1,078 | $183,800 | 0.59% |
| Appomattox County | $1,073 | $207,600 | 0.52% |
| City of Galax | $1,072 | $141,300 | 0.76% |
| Washington County | $1,065 | $214,000 | 0.50% |
| Craig County | $1,064 | $189,000 | 0.56% |
| Alleghany County | $1,000 | $125,800 | 0.79% |
| Accomack County | $985 | $204,300 | 0.48% |
| Amherst County | $975 | $212,400 | 0.46% |
| Campbell County | $950 | $211,600 | 0.45% |
| Pittsylvania County | $948 | $161,400 | 0.59% |
| Giles County | $928 | $151,100 | 0.61% |
| Prince Edward County | $921 | $216,600 | 0.43% |
| Buckingham County | $906 | $173,400 | 0.52% |
| Wythe County | $900 | $171,200 | 0.53% |
| Scott County | $885 | $143,000 | 0.62% |
| Mecklenburg County | $859 | $192,600 | 0.45% |
| Greensville County | $855 | $159,400 | 0.54% |
| Bland County | $846 | $152,100 | 0.56% |
| Patrick County | $845 | $153,400 | 0.55% |
| Grayson County | $843 | $150,100 | 0.56% |
| Carroll County | $834 | $156,500 | 0.53% |
| Brunswick County | $820 | $142,700 | 0.57% |
| Smyth County | $805 | $139,600 | 0.58% |
| City of Norton | $800 | $110,000 | 0.73% |
| Bath County | $797 | $206,700 | 0.39% |
| City of Danville | $774 | $119,100 | 0.65% |
| Nottoway County | $761 | $167,500 | 0.45% |
| City of Martinsville | $760 | $98,400 | 0.77% |
| Charlotte County | $756 | $144,100 | 0.52% |
| Tazewell County | $728 | $118,300 | 0.62% |
| Halifax County | $721 | $155,700 | 0.46% |
| Wise County | $693 | $118,600 | 0.58% |
| City of Covington | $681 | $83,500 | 0.82% |
| Henry County | $637 | $134,800 | 0.47% |
| Lee County | $595 | $98,900 | 0.60% |
| Lunenburg County | $578 | $150,100 | 0.39% |
| Russell County | $576 | $120,600 | 0.48% |
| Dickenson County | $480 | $102,700 | 0.47% |
| Buchanan County | $413 | $94,900 | 0.44% |
- Falls Church $10,0010.95%
- Arlington $8,1530.91%
- Fairfax $7,3681.01%
- Alexandria $7,0240.96%
- Fairfax $6,5150.90%
- Loudoun $6,3250.85%
- Prince William $4,9990.94%
- Manassas $4,9231.09%
- Manassas Park $4,6361.17%
- Fauquier $4,3200.75%
- Charlottesville $3,9150.80%
- Albemarle $3,7190.75%
- Poquoson $3,6900.92%
- Stafford $3,4100.70%
- Suffolk $3,2290.93%
- Richmond $3,1500.89%
- Chesapeake $3,1080.82%
- Virginia Beach $3,0610.80%
- Fredericksburg $2,9070.60%
- James City $2,9010.65%
- Norfolk $2,8901.00%
- York $2,7940.64%
- Chesterfield $2,7730.76%
- Clarke $2,6570.48%
- Newport News $2,6341.01%
- Hanover $2,6270.66%
- Winchester $2,5910.76%
- Henrico $2,5650.71%
- Portsmouth $2,5571.04%
- Williamsburg $2,5180.59%
- Isle of Wight $2,5100.70%
- Rappahannock $2,5050.49%
- New Kent $2,5030.64%
- Goochland $2,4960.50%
- Powhatan $2,4480.59%
- Roanoke $2,4360.85%
- Spotsylvania $2,3470.58%
- Hampton $2,3270.95%
- Salem $2,3160.90%
- Harrisonburg $2,2810.76%
- King George $2,2540.53%
- Montgomery $2,2490.74%
- Lexington $2,2240.81%
- Prince George $2,1840.74%
- Culpeper $2,1410.52%
- Greene $2,0860.61%
- Colonial Heights $2,0710.84%
- Orange $1,9970.55%
- Madison $1,9680.53%
- Fluvanna $1,9670.63%
- Roanoke $1,8930.99%
- Louisa $1,8830.60%
- Gloucester $1,8780.57%
- Botetourt $1,8620.64%
- Frederick $1,8460.48%
- Franklin $1,8210.71%
- Warren $1,8190.52%
- Staunton $1,8180.70%
- Northampton $1,8070.57%
- Lynchburg $1,8040.79%
- Middlesex $1,7780.50%
- King William $1,7290.55%
- Surry $1,6510.69%
- Northumberland $1,6450.47%
- Rockingham $1,6450.53%
- Waynesboro $1,6390.67%
- Westmoreland $1,6280.60%
- Nelson $1,6220.50%
- Caroline $1,5970.52%
- Radford $1,5810.72%
- Hopewell $1,5640.86%
- Lancaster $1,5580.48%
- Mathews $1,5470.43%
- Shenandoah $1,5280.52%
- Petersburg $1,5230.81%
- Page $1,4970.64%
- Rockbridge $1,4920.60%
- Augusta $1,4460.47%
- Buena Vista $1,4210.91%
- Southampton $1,4180.66%
- Dinwiddie $1,4090.55%
- Bristol $1,3870.75%
- Cumberland $1,3610.57%
- Essex $1,3480.57%
- Charles City $1,3430.56%
- Richmond $1,2900.56%
- Bedford $1,2850.43%
- Floyd $1,2450.55%
- King and Queen $1,2090.52%
- Pulaski $1,2020.63%
- Franklin $1,1960.50%
- Emporia $1,1710.79%
- Highland $1,1350.57%
- Amelia $1,0790.38%
- Sussex $1,0780.59%
- Appomattox $1,0730.52%
- Galax $1,0720.76%
- Washington $1,0650.50%
- Craig $1,0640.56%
- Alleghany $1,0000.79%
- Accomack $9850.48%
- Amherst $9750.46%
- Campbell $9500.45%
- Pittsylvania $9480.59%
- Giles $9280.61%
- Prince Edward $9210.43%
- Buckingham $9060.52%
- Wythe $9000.53%
- Scott $8850.62%
- Mecklenburg $8590.45%
- Greensville $8550.54%
- Bland $8460.56%
- Patrick $8450.55%
- Grayson $8430.56%
- Carroll $8340.53%
- Brunswick $8200.57%
- Smyth $8050.58%
- Norton $8000.73%
- Bath $7970.39%
- Danville $7740.65%
- Nottoway $7610.45%
- Martinsville $7600.77%
- Charlotte $7560.52%
- Tazewell $7280.62%
- Halifax $7210.46%
- Wise $6930.58%
- Covington $6810.82%
- Henry $6370.47%
- Lee $5950.60%
- Lunenburg $5780.39%
- Russell $5760.48%
- Dickenson $4800.47%
- Buchanan $4130.44%
Effective rate: typical tax ÷ typical value, our estimate from two Census medians. Source: American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates Average 2020–2024 American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates (external site)
Exemptions
Which exemption fits you?
What Virginia publishes for each case. You have to apply for almost all of them: none is applied on its own.
-
If you are an older owner
Virginia has no statewide exemption for older owners. The law lets each county, city or town, by ordinance, exempt or defer the tax on the home of a person 65 or older who lives there, on the conditions and in the amount it chooses. The ordinance may cover only the increase in tax since you turned 65. Ask your locality's commissioner of the revenue.
What the source says· Va. Code § 58.1-3210
“The governing body of any locality may, by ordinance, provide for the exemption from, deferral of, or a combination program of exemptions from and deferrals of taxation of real estate and manufactured homes as defined in § 36-85.3 , or any portion thereof, and upon such conditions and in such amount as the ordinance may prescribe. Such real estate shall be owned by, and be occupied as the sole dwelling of anyone at least 65 years of age or if provided in the ordinance, anyone found to be permanently and totally disabled as defined in § 58.1-3217 . Such ordinance may provide for the exemption from or deferral of that portion of the tax which represents the increase in tax liability since the year such taxpayer reached the age of 65 or became disabled, or the year such ordinance became effective, whichever is later.”
Code of Virginia (Virginia General Assembly) · Verified November 6, 2026
-
If you have a disability
The same local ordinance that gives older owners the exemption or deferral may include owners who are permanently and totally disabled, if the locality so decides. There is no statewide disability exemption.
What the source says· Va. Code § 58.1-3210
“Such real estate shall be owned by, and be occupied as the sole dwelling of anyone at least 65 years of age or if provided in the ordinance, anyone found to be permanently and totally disabled as defined in § 58.1-3217 .”
Code of Virginia (Virginia General Assembly) · Verified November 6, 2026
-
If you are a veteran
If you are a veteran rated by VA with a 100% service-connected, permanent and total disability, and you live in the home as your principal residence, your home and up to one acre of land are exempt from real property tax (Virginia Constitution, Art. X, Sec. 6-A). Your surviving spouse keeps it as long as they do not remarry, even after moving to another home. You claim it with your locality using the affidavit or written statement the law requires.
What the source says· Va. Code § 58.1-3219.5
“Pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 6-A of Article X of the Constitution of Virginia, and for tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2011, the General Assembly hereby exempts from taxation the real property, including the joint real property of married individuals, of any veteran who has been rated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or its successor agency pursuant to federal law to have a 100 percent service-connected, permanent, and total disability, and who occupies the real property as his principal place of residence. … However, no county, city, or town shall be liable for any interest on any refund due to the veteran for taxes paid prior to the veteran's filing of the affidavit or written statement required by § … The surviving spouse of a veteran eligible for the exemption set forth in this article shall also qualify for the exemption, so long as the death of the veteran occurs on or after January 1, 2011, and the surviving spouse does not remarry. The exemption applies without any restriction on the spouse's moving to a different principal place of residence. … A county, city, or town shall provide for the exemption from real property taxes the qualifying dwelling pursuant to this section and shall provide for the exemption from real property taxes the land, not exceeding one acre, upon which it is situated.”
Code of Virginia (Virginia General Assembly) · Verified November 6, 2026
How it works
Where your bill comes from
The local government puts a value on your home, subtracts the exemptions you apply for and applies the rate of each body that taxes it: the county, the city, the school district and others.
- The value assigned to your home
- The exemptions you apply for
- The rates of each taxing body (county, city, schools)
- Your yearly bill
The effective rate on this page is something else: our estimate (typical tax ÷ typical value, from Census data) for comparing places. It is not the rate your local government sets.
Buying or selling
Taxes on the sale
Some states charge a tax or fee when the deed is recorded. What the official source says:
-
State recordation tax on the deed
When the deed is recorded, the state charges 25 cents for every $100 (or fraction) of the price or the property's assessed value, whichever is greater.
Va. Code §58.1-801(A) · Virginia General Assembly (Code of Virginia) · Verified October 23, 2026
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Grantor's tax (paid by the seller)
On top of the recordation tax, the seller pays 50 cents for every $500 (or fraction) of the price, excluding liens that stay on the property. Seller and buyer may arrange for the buyer to pay all or part.
Va. Code §58.1-802(A) · Virginia General Assembly (Code of Virginia) · Verified October 23, 2026
Frequently asked questions
How much is property tax in Virginia?
The typical owner pays $2,790 a year, about 0.73% of the home’s value, per the Census (Average 2020–2024). Nationwide the effective rate is 0.94%. Your bill depends on your county, city, school district and the exemptions you claim.
What is the deadline to protest the assessment in Virginia?
In Virginia the appeal deadline is set by each county or city by ordinance, and it must appear on your notice of assessment. Your locality's board of equalization hears complaints that your home is assessed above its fair market value as of Jan. 1, or unequally. For a home, your application only needs the address, the parcel number and the value you propose; you may file on paper or, where your locality allows, electronically.
When is property tax paid in Virginia?
Payment dates are set by each county, city or town by ordinance; it may collect the tax in a single installment or in two equal installments. Find the dates on your bill or with your locality's treasurer.
Which county in Virginia pays the most property tax?
By amount, the highest typical tax is in City of Falls Church ($10,001) and the lowest in Buchanan County ($413). By effective rate, the highest is City of Manassas Park (1.17%) and the lowest Amelia County (0.38%).
What is the effective rate?
The typical tax divided by the typical home value in the same place. It is our estimate from two Census medians, not the rate your local government sets; it is for comparing places.