Property Tax in Washington by County
Homeowners in Washington pay a median of $4,361 a year in real estate taxes on a median home value of $519,800, according to the US Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates, 2023. The table below covers all 39 counties in the state for which the Census Bureau publishes figures. That state median is about 47% higher than the US median of $2,969.
The extremes inside Washington are far apart: King County, WA records the state's highest median bill at $6,785, while Garfield County, WA records the lowest at $1,306. Home values explain much of that distance, with local district rates explaining the rest.
Looking across the state, 18 of 39 counties with published data have a median tax bill above the US median of $2,969. The middle county figure in Washington — the median of the county medians — is $2,860, and county medians range from $1,306 in Garfield County to $6,785 in King County, a spread that shows how local the tax burden is even within one state.
Population and land tell different stories in Washington: King County leads on population (2,262,713), whereas Okanogan County leads on land area (5,266 square miles). Find both in the county table to see how their tax bills compare.
Where people live in Washington: King County leads with 2,262,713 residents (median tax $6,785, median home $811,200), followed by Pierce County (924,106; $4,555 on $484,400) and Snohomish County (834,648; $5,121 on $644,600).
Washington counties: median property tax
| County | Median tax paid | Median home value | Derived rate* | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| King County, WA | $6,785 | $811,200 | 0.84% | 2,262,713 |
| Snohomish County, WA | $5,121 | $644,600 | 0.79% | 834,648 |
| Pierce County, WA | $4,555 | $484,400 | 0.94% | 924,106 |
| San Juan County, WA | $4,131 | $726,500 | 0.57% | 18,266 |
| Clark County, WA | $4,080 | $487,900 | 0.84% | 510,516 |
| Thurston County, WA | $4,043 | $451,500 | 0.90% | 296,640 |
| Kitsap County, WA | $4,030 | $505,700 | 0.80% | 276,581 |
| Skagit County, WA | $4,008 | $486,200 | 0.82% | 130,407 |
| Whatcom County, WA | $3,819 | $536,100 | 0.71% | 228,432 |
| Island County, WA | $3,765 | $535,300 | 0.70% | 86,747 |
| Jefferson County, WA | $3,596 | $495,100 | 0.73% | 33,313 |
| Walla Walla County, WA | $3,386 | $375,600 | 0.90% | 62,102 |
| Skamania County, WA | $3,380 | $472,600 | 0.71% | 12,276 |
| Kittitas County, WA | $3,255 | $459,900 | 0.71% | 44,736 |
| Chelan County, WA | $3,235 | $454,900 | 0.71% | 79,518 |
| Spokane County, WA | $3,196 | $370,500 | 0.86% | 544,323 |
| Douglas County, WA | $3,168 | $402,900 | 0.79% | 43,733 |
| Cowlitz County, WA | $2,988 | $367,400 | 0.81% | 111,539 |
| Benton County, WA | $2,910 | $369,400 | 0.79% | 210,224 |
| Clallam County, WA | $2,860 | $385,600 | 0.74% | 77,593 |
| Mason County, WA | $2,833 | $377,400 | 0.75% | 66,968 |
| Franklin County, WA | $2,638 | $345,700 | 0.76% | 97,676 |
| Whitman County, WA | $2,566 | $323,300 | 0.79% | 47,042 |
| Grays Harbor County, WA | $2,441 | $279,500 | 0.87% | 76,397 |
| Lewis County, WA | $2,433 | $341,500 | 0.71% | 83,925 |
| Klickitat County, WA | $2,401 | $388,700 | 0.62% | 23,082 |
| Yakima County, WA | $2,299 | $281,100 | 0.82% | 256,605 |
| Asotin County, WA | $2,289 | $286,200 | 0.80% | 22,424 |
| Grant County, WA | $2,268 | $275,700 | 0.82% | 100,428 |
| Pacific County, WA | $2,250 | $274,000 | 0.82% | 23,750 |
| Columbia County, WA | $2,215 | $256,100 | 0.86% | 3,996 |
| Okanogan County, WA | $2,194 | $284,200 | 0.77% | 42,811 |
| Adams County, WA | $2,104 | $251,300 | 0.84% | 20,690 |
| Wahkiakum County, WA | $2,084 | $344,500 | 0.60% | 4,573 |
| Pend Oreille County, WA | $2,048 | $307,800 | 0.67% | 13,811 |
| Stevens County, WA | $2,016 | $308,000 | 0.66% | 47,470 |
| Ferry County, WA | $1,792 | $274,500 | 0.65% | 7,326 |
| Lincoln County, WA | $1,621 | $272,300 | 0.59% | 11,271 |
| Garfield County, WA | $1,306 | $214,200 | 0.61% | 2,326 |
*Derived rate = median taxes paid ÷ median home value — an estimate from two survey medians, not an official rate. Counties in bold detail pages are linked; all figures: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates, 2023.
How assessment and appeals work in Washington
The mechanics in Washington follow the standard American pattern. A local assessor — generally a county office — estimates market value. Taxable value is what remains after exemptions. Each overlapping district (county, municipality, schools, and any special districts) applies its own rate, and the sum of those rates produces the bill the county collects.
Owners who think a property has been overvalued can appeal, first informally with the assessor and then formally to the review body named on the assessment notice. The strongest appeals rest on evidence: mistakes on the property record card, or sale prices of comparable homes that came in below the assessed value. Because filing windows are brief, check the deadline on your notice as soon as it arrives.
Statewide medians hide wide local variation, and Washington is no exception: bills depend on where in the state a home sits and which districts tax it. Use this page to place a county in context, then verify the specifics for any single property with the county assessor.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median property tax in Washington?
The median real estate tax paid in Washington is $4,361 per year, on a median home value of $519,800 (US Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates, 2023).
Which Washington county has the highest property taxes?
Among counties with published Census data, King County has the highest median real estate taxes paid at $6,785 per year.
Which Washington county has the lowest property taxes?
Among counties with published Census data, Garfield County has the lowest median real estate taxes paid at $1,306 per year.
How do I appeal a property tax assessment in Washington?
Assessments in Washington are handled locally, usually by the county assessor or an equivalent local office. If you believe your assessed value is too high, request your property record card, check it for errors, and file an appeal with the local board named on your assessment notice before the deadline printed on that notice — appeal windows are short, often 30 to 90 days.