Owning in Washington
Data from January 2026
Property tax in Washington
The typical owner in Washington pays $4,556 a year, about 0.81% 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 Washington
- Typical tax
- $4,556
- per year, typical household
- 46% more than the U.S.
- Effective rate
- 0.81%
- tax ÷ value (estimate)
- 14% 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
Washington's rules, in one table
The assessment cap, the homestead exemption, when to protest and when to pay, as Washington's official source states them. Tap "What the source says" to read the exact text.
| Rule | What Washington says | Source |
|---|---|---|
| What triggers a new assessment | In Washington the county assessor revalues real property every year, at 100% of market value, and physically inspects it at least every 6 years. When the value changes, you get a Change of Value Notice. What the source says“A Change of Value Notice is sent to you when the assessed value of your property changes. The notice indicates the assessed value of your land and improvements. Real property must be reassessed on a yearly basis with physical inspections at least every 6 years.” | Washington Department of Revenue Verified November 6, 2026 |
| Protest deadline One for the whole state | To appeal the assessor's value, you fill out the Taxpayer Petition for Review of Property Valuation Determination and file it with your county board of equalization. The deadline is July 1 of the assessment year or 30 days after the Change of Value Notice was issued, whichever is later; some counties allow 60 days. A letter or phone call does not count as an appeal. What the source says“The deadline for filing an appeal is the latter of: July 1 of the assessment year; or Within 30 days* of when the Change of Value Notice was issued by the assessor’s office. … *Certain counties extend the filing deadline to 60 days.” | Washington Department of Revenue Verified November 6, 2026 |
| When to pay | You pay your county treasurer. The first half is due April 30 and the second half Oct. 31. What is not paid on time accrues 1% interest a month, plus a 3% penalty if still unpaid on June 1 and 8% on Dec. 1. What the source says“After April 30th, property taxes are considered delinquent and subject to 1% interest per month. If your taxes are still delinquent on June 1st, you are subject to a 3% penalty. Interest continues to accrue until the taxes are paid in full. If you pay the first half of your taxes by April 30th, but fail to pay the second half by October 31st, the unpaid portion is subject to 1% interest per month. Any taxes still owing on December 1st are subject to an additional 8% penalty.” | Washington Department of Revenue 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 Washington, with the typical home value and the effective rate. Highest tax first.
| King County | $7,114 | $859,900 | 0.83% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snohomish County | $5,364 | $696,000 | 0.77% |
| Pierce County | $4,770 | $526,600 | 0.91% |
| Skagit County | $4,308 | $545,100 | 0.79% |
| Clark County | $4,290 | $522,900 | 0.82% |
| Kitsap County | $4,279 | $555,100 | 0.77% |
| San Juan County | $4,253 | $799,200 | 0.53% |
| Thurston County | $4,209 | $480,300 | 0.88% |
| Whatcom County | $4,087 | $585,800 | 0.70% |
| Island County | $3,999 | $593,300 | 0.67% |
| Jefferson County | $3,818 | $535,000 | 0.71% |
| Kittitas County | $3,552 | $497,400 | 0.71% |
| Skamania County | $3,532 | $529,500 | 0.67% |
| Chelan County | $3,503 | $490,100 | 0.71% |
| Walla Walla County | $3,492 | $408,900 | 0.85% |
| Spokane County | $3,434 | $410,700 | 0.84% |
| Douglas County | $3,319 | $432,500 | 0.77% |
| Cowlitz County | $3,245 | $397,500 | 0.82% |
| Benton County | $3,163 | $407,800 | 0.78% |
| Clallam County | $3,050 | $421,800 | 0.72% |
| Mason County | $3,006 | $411,800 | 0.73% |
| Franklin County | $2,750 | $379,300 | 0.73% |
| Whitman County | $2,691 | $359,600 | 0.75% |
| Klickitat County | $2,639 | $425,300 | 0.62% |
| Lewis County | $2,581 | $385,800 | 0.67% |
| Grays Harbor County | $2,512 | $314,000 | 0.80% |
| Yakima County | $2,463 | $310,100 | 0.79% |
| Pacific County | $2,395 | $334,800 | 0.72% |
| Wahkiakum County | $2,392 | $396,800 | 0.60% |
| Asotin County | $2,340 | $325,600 | 0.72% |
| Grant County | $2,339 | $299,500 | 0.78% |
| Columbia County | $2,303 | $271,200 | 0.85% |
| Okanogan County | $2,281 | $299,800 | 0.76% |
| Adams County | $2,147 | $273,300 | 0.79% |
| Pend Oreille County | $2,142 | $367,900 | 0.58% |
| Stevens County | $2,065 | $350,600 | 0.59% |
| Ferry County | $1,801 | $283,400 | 0.64% |
| Lincoln County | $1,744 | $292,800 | 0.60% |
| Garfield County | $1,574 | $239,200 | 0.66% |
- King $7,1140.83%
- Snohomish $5,3640.77%
- Pierce $4,7700.91%
- Skagit $4,3080.79%
- Clark $4,2900.82%
- Kitsap $4,2790.77%
- San Juan $4,2530.53%
- Thurston $4,2090.88%
- Whatcom $4,0870.70%
- Island $3,9990.67%
- Jefferson $3,8180.71%
- Kittitas $3,5520.71%
- Skamania $3,5320.67%
- Chelan $3,5030.71%
- Walla Walla $3,4920.85%
- Spokane $3,4340.84%
- Douglas $3,3190.77%
- Cowlitz $3,2450.82%
- Benton $3,1630.78%
- Clallam $3,0500.72%
- Mason $3,0060.73%
- Franklin $2,7500.73%
- Whitman $2,6910.75%
- Klickitat $2,6390.62%
- Lewis $2,5810.67%
- Grays Harbor $2,5120.80%
- Yakima $2,4630.79%
- Pacific $2,3950.72%
- Wahkiakum $2,3920.60%
- Asotin $2,3400.72%
- Grant $2,3390.78%
- Columbia $2,3030.85%
- Okanogan $2,2810.76%
- Adams $2,1470.79%
- Pend Oreille $2,1420.58%
- Stevens $2,0650.59%
- Ferry $1,8010.64%
- Lincoln $1,7440.60%
- Garfield $1,5740.66%
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 Washington 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
If you are 61 or older by Dec. 31 of the year before the taxes are due, live in the home as your primary residence and your combined disposable income is at or under your county's "Income Threshold 3", the senior exemption program lowers the tax. How much depends on your income, your home's value and local levy rates. You apply with your county assessor. At 60 or older you can also defer the tax, at 5% simple interest.
What the source says· RCW 84.36
“Taxpayers who meet one of the following requirements as of December 31 of the year before the taxes are due: At least 61 years of age or older. … The qualifying applicant receives a reduction in the amount of property taxes due. The amount of the reduction is based on the applicant's income, the value of the residence, and the local levy rates. … Own and occupy a primary residence in the State of Washington and have combined disposable income of Income Threshold 3 or less for your county.”
Washington Department of Revenue · Verified November 6, 2026
-
If you have a disability
If you retired from regular gainful employment due to a disability, you can qualify for the same exemption program, with the same county income limit. You need written acknowledgment from Social Security or Veterans Affairs, or a Proof of Disability Affidavit.
What the source says
“Retired from regular gainful employment due to a disability. … Own and occupy a primary residence in the State of Washington and have combined disposable income of Income Threshold 3 or less for your county. … Disabled person must provide written acknowledgment by Social Security or Veterans Administration – OR – Proof of Disability Affidavit (PDF 202.58KB) .”
Washington Department of Revenue · Verified November 6, 2026
-
If you are a veteran
If you are a veteran paid compensation by VA at a combined service-connected rating of 80% or higher, or a total disability rating for a service-connected disability, you can qualify for the same exemption program, with your county's income limit. There is also a grant (not repaid) for widows and widowers of certain veterans, 62 or older.
What the source says
“Veteran of the armed forces of the United States receiving compensation from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs at one of the following: Combined service-connected evaluation rating of 80% or higher. Total disability rating for a service-connected disability without regard to evaluation percent.”
Washington Department of Revenue · 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:
-
Graduated state real estate excise tax (REET)
The state portion is charged in tiers of the selling price: 1.10 percent up to $525,000; 1.28 percent from $525,000.01 to $1,525,000; 2.75 percent from $1,525,000.01 to $3,025,000; and 3 percent above that. The local REET of each city or county is added. The Department of Revenue announces new thresholds effective January 1, 2027.
RCW 82.45.060 · Washington State Department of Revenue · Verified October 23, 2026
-
Who pays the real estate excise tax (REET)
All sales of real property in Washington are subject to REET unless an exemption applies. Usually the seller pays, but if they don't, the buyer is responsible, and unpaid tax can become a lien on the property. It is due to the treasurer of the county where the property is located on the date of sale.
Washington State Department of Revenue · Verified October 31, 2026
Frequently asked questions
How much is property tax in Washington?
The typical owner pays $4,556 a year, about 0.81% 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 Washington?
To appeal the assessor's value, you fill out the Taxpayer Petition for Review of Property Valuation Determination and file it with your county board of equalization. The deadline is July 1 of the assessment year or 30 days after the Change of Value Notice was issued, whichever is later; some counties allow 60 days. A letter or phone call does not count as an appeal.
When is property tax paid in Washington?
You pay your county treasurer. The first half is due April 30 and the second half Oct. 31. What is not paid on time accrues 1% interest a month, plus a 3% penalty if still unpaid on June 1 and 8% on Dec. 1.
Which county in Washington pays the most property tax?
By amount, the highest typical tax is in King County ($7,114) and the lowest in Garfield County ($1,574). By effective rate, the highest is Pierce County (0.91%) and the lowest San Juan County (0.53%).
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.