Property Tax Bills Are Rising Fast
Homeowners across the country are opening their property tax bills to find significantly higher amounts in 2026. The increases are largely the result of reassessments that are now catching up to the dramatic home price appreciation that occurred during 2020-2024. While home values have plateaued or declined slightly in some markets, tax assessments are based on previous valuations and are only now reflecting the pandemic-era price surge.
The average American homeowner paid $3,901 in property taxes in 2025, but in 2026 that figure is projected to rise to $4,285, an increase of nearly 10%. In some states, the increases are far more dramatic.
The 10 States with the Biggest Property Tax Increases
- 1. Texas: Average increase of 28%. With no state income tax, Texas relies heavily on property taxes. Rapid appreciation in Dallas, Austin, and Houston is driving massive assessment increases.
- 2. Florida: Average increase of 25%. The pandemic migration boom pushed home values up dramatically, and reassessments are now reflecting those gains.
- 3. Arizona: Average increase of 23%. Phoenix-area homeowners are seeing the steepest jumps.
- 4. Idaho: Average increase of 22%. Boise's explosive growth has led to correspondingly large tax increases.
- 5. Nevada: Average increase of 20%. Las Vegas and Reno area homeowners are most affected.
- 6. Tennessee: Average increase of 19%. Nashville's boom is the primary driver.
- 7. Georgia: Average increase of 18%. Metro Atlanta homeowners face the biggest bills.
- 8. Montana: Average increase of 17%. Property tax reform has been a hot political topic.
- 9. South Carolina: Average increase of 16%. Charleston and coastal areas lead the state.
- 10. Colorado: Average increase of 15%. Despite recent legislative efforts to provide relief.
Why Taxes Are Rising So Sharply
Property taxes are calculated by multiplying the assessed value of your home by the local tax rate, known as the mill rate. When home values increase rapidly, even if the mill rate stays the same or decreases slightly, the total tax bill rises. Many jurisdictions have been slow to reassess properties during the pandemic era, and the catch-up assessments are now hitting homeowners with several years of accumulated appreciation at once.
"Many homeowners are experiencing assessment increases of 40-60% in a single year because their jurisdiction delayed reassessment. The tax rate may not have changed, but the assessed value jumped dramatically." — Jared Walczak, Vice President of State Projects at the Tax Foundation
How to Challenge Your Property Tax Assessment
If you believe your property tax assessment is too high, you have the right to appeal in every state. Start by reviewing your assessment notice carefully for errors in property characteristics like square footage, lot size, or the number of bedrooms. Gather evidence of comparable home sales in your area that support a lower valuation. File your appeal within the deadline specified on your assessment notice, which is typically 30-90 days.
Appeals are successful more often than most homeowners realize. Studies show that approximately 40% of property tax appeals result in a reduction, saving an average of $700 per year. Given these odds, taking the time to file an appeal is almost always worthwhile.
