Property tax in King County, Washington
The median property tax bill in King County, Washington is $7,114 a year, which is about 0.83% of the county's median home value of $859,900. That effective rate is higher than the typical Washington county (0.73%) and higher than the national median (0.81%). These are American Community Survey 5-year estimates (2024); your own bill depends on your home's assessed value and any exemptions.
Estimate the property tax on a home in King County
Enter a home's market value to estimate its annual property tax using King County's own assessment rules. This is an estimate; for the exact bill, use the county's official tools linked below.
Estimated property tax: $7,906 / year
| Assessed value | $859,900 |
|---|---|
| Taxable value | $859,900 |
| Tax rate applied | 0.92% |
For your exact bill, King County publishes the authoritative tools: official tax estimator, or the King County Assessor, John Wilson (elected official; as of publication he has announced he will not seek re-election when his term ends in late 2026).
Assessment ratio, exemption, and rate from King County's certified high-confidence sources, reviewed 2026-08-30. Millage varies by taxing district and exemptions vary by owner, so treat this as a close estimate, not the exact bill.
Property tax in King County at a glance
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Median annual property tax | $7,114 |
| Median home value | $859,900 |
| Effective tax rate | 0.83% |
| Typical Washington county rate | 0.73% |
| National median county rate | 0.81% |
Effective rate = median real estate taxes paid divided by median home value. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
How does King County compare in Washington?
Among Washington's 39 counties, King County has the 6th highest effective property-tax rate: 5 rank higher and 33 rank lower. That is on the higher side for Washington. Nationally, it ranks 1521st of 3135 US counties by effective rate. See every Washington county ranked.
How much do homeowners in King County actually pay?
The median is only the middle bill. Across King County's 521,805 owner-occupied homes, 86.6% pay $3,000 or more a year in property tax, 90.8% pay at least $2,000, and 3.1% pay under $800. Another 2.5% report paying no property tax at all, which usually means an exemption covers the whole bill.
| Annual bill | Homes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Under $800 | 16,219 | 3.1% |
| $800 to $1,499 | 12,138 | 2.3% |
| $1,500 to $1,999 | 6,694 | 1.3% |
| $2,000 to $2,999 | 21,902 | 4.2% |
| $3,000 or more | 452,025 | 86.6% |
| No property tax paid | 12,827 | 2.5% |
Owners with a mortgage pay a median of $7,061 and owners without one pay $7,245. That is within 10% either way, so in King County paying off the house does not go with a noticeably different bill. Census table B25103.
How does the King County property tax bill compare with local incomes?
The median property tax bill of $7,114 is about 4.3% of the median income of King County homeowner households, $166,370 a year. That compares two middles, so a retiree in a long-held home can pay a far larger share. 55.4% of King County's occupied homes are lived in by their owners; renters pay property tax too, just folded into rent.
Have property taxes gone up in King County?
Yes. The median bill went from $4,930 in 2015-2019 to $7,114 in 2020-2024, a 44.3% rise. Over the same span the median home value moved 56.6%, from $549,200 to $859,900. Bills rose more slowly than values, which is what assessment caps and falling millage rates do: the county is taxing a smaller share of each home's worth.
Two Census ACS 5-year periods with no survey years in common, in each period's own dollars. A change counts only if it exceeds the combined 90% margin of error.
Property tax in counties next to King County
King County borders 6 counties.
| County | Effective rate | Median bill | Median home value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pierce County, WA | 0.91% | $4,770 | $526,600 |
| King County, WA (this county) | 0.83% | $7,114 | $859,900 |
| Yakima County, WA | 0.79% | $2,463 | $310,100 |
| Kitsap County, WA | 0.77% | $4,279 | $555,100 |
| Snohomish County, WA | 0.77% | $5,364 | $696,000 |
| Chelan County, WA | 0.71% | $3,503 | $490,100 |
| Kittitas County, WA | 0.71% | $3,552 | $497,400 |
How is a home assessed in King County?
Washington assesses homes at 100% of market value in every county, King County included. How Washington assesses and reappraises homes.
Is there a homestead exemption in King County?
No. Washington has no general homestead exemption; the broad protection is the 1% limit on how much a taxing district's regular levy can grow each year without voter approval. That is the Washington rule, and it applies in King County. Washington's exemptions and relief programs in full.
When are property taxes due in King County?
Two installments: the first half by April 30 and the second by October 31 if the total is over $50. Smaller bills are due in full by April 30. The county treasurer bills and collects.
Washington splits the bill into 2 installments. That is the Washington rule. King County issues and collects the bill, so the dates printed on your statement are the ones that bind you.
How to appeal your King County property assessment
You contest the assessed value with the County Board of Equalization, then the Washington Board of Tax Appeals. The filing deadline is typically July 1, or 30 to 60 days after your value notice, whichever is later. That is the Washington rule; King County sets the exact dates and forms. The Washington appeal process step by step.
Washington rules from primary state sources, reviewed September 7, 2026; sources on the Washington page.
Work out your own numbers
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How much house can I afford?
Your income, debts and down payment against the 28/36 rule lenders actually use, with King County's tax rate to hand.
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Mortgage calculator
Monthly payment with principal, interest, tax and insurance, plus what an extra payment saves you.
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Washington income tax
Brackets, standard deduction and what Washington actually taxes.
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Sales tax in King County
The other local tax: combined state and local rate for this county.
Sources
- Median real estate taxes paid and median home value for King County, Washington: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates (2020-2024), tables B25103, B25077, B25102, B25119 and B25003; the five-year comparison uses the 2015-2019 estimates. Neighboring counties: Census county adjacency file.