Short answer
Property taxes in King County are based on your property's assessed value as determined by the county assessor — not your purchase price. The effective rate depends on your specific location and all the overlapping taxing jurisdictions that apply to your parcel.
For budgeting purposes, buyers should estimate roughly 1% of estimated purchase price annually as a starting point, then verify the specific parcel's tax history.
How Washington property taxes work
Washington's property tax system has a few features that differ from other states:
Assessed value ≠ purchase price. The county assessor sets assessed value independently, based on their mass appraisal methodology and market data. In a rising market, assessed values often lag actual sales prices. In a cooling market, they may be closer to or even above market value.
Purchase price doesn't reset assessed value. Unlike California, purchasing a home does not trigger an automatic reassessment to purchase price. Your assessed value stays at what the assessor has it at until they update it. This means if you buy a home at $850,000 and the assessed value is $720,000, you initially pay taxes on $720,000 — but the assessor may adjust this upward in the next reassessment cycle.
Annual reassessment. King County reassesses all properties annually. The assessed value used for your tax bill in a given year reflects the county's estimate of value as of January 1 of the prior year. This means 2026 tax bills are based on assessed values as of January 1, 2025.
Rate varies by taxing district. Your property tax rate is the sum of levies from all taxing jurisdictions that apply to your parcel: state, county, city or unincorporated area, school district, fire district, EMS, flood control, and others. A home in Seattle has different overlapping levies than a comparable home in Bellevue, Redmond, or Renton — which is why the "King County tax rate" is not a single number.
Effective rates: what to expect by area
For budgeting, buyers should look up the specific parcel's tax history rather than assuming a uniform rate. That said, approximate effective rates for common areas:
| Area | Approximate effective rate on assessed value |
|---|---|
| Seattle (most neighborhoods) | 0.85%–1.10% |
| Bellevue | 0.75%–0.95% |
| Kirkland | 0.85%–1.00% |
| Redmond | 0.80%–0.95% |
| Renton | 0.95%–1.20% |
| Kent | 1.00%–1.30% |
| Bothell | 0.90%–1.10% |
These are rough ranges based on 2024–2025 data. They shift year to year as levy amounts change. Verify the specific parcel using King County Assessor records.
Important: these rates are applied to assessed value, which may be lower than the purchase price. A $900,000 home with a $760,000 assessed value taxed at 1.0% pays $7,600 per year — not $9,000.
How to look up taxes for a specific property
Before making an offer, look up the property's actual tax bill:
King County Assessor iMap: kingcounty.gov/depts/assessor — search by address to find assessed value, tax bill, and levy rates for the parcel.
Prior year tax bill: Also available through the assessor. This is the most reliable current figure. Keep in mind it may change annually.
Redfin and Zillow listings often show estimated annual property taxes, but these are calculated on listing price and may not match actual bills. Use the assessor's records for accuracy.
Property taxes in your mortgage payment
Most lenders require an impound account (also called an escrow account) for property taxes and homeowners insurance, particularly when your down payment is under 20%. With an impound account:
- Your lender collects a portion of your annual property tax obligation each month as part of your total mortgage payment (principal + interest + taxes + insurance, often called PITI)
- The lender holds these funds and pays your tax bills when they're due
- Your monthly payment will include roughly 1/12 of your estimated annual tax bill
If you don't have an impound account, you are responsible for paying taxes directly by April 30 (first half) and October 31 (second half) each year.
At closing: Your Closing Disclosure will show an initial escrow impound, often 2–3 months of taxes prepaid into the escrow account at closing. This is one of the line items in your cash-to-close calculation. See closing costs in Washington for the full breakdown.
Washington real estate excise tax (REET): a buyer note
Washington's real estate excise tax (REET) is a seller-paid tax at the time of sale. Buyers do not pay it. However, it's worth knowing:
- REET is paid by the seller on the sale price
- The rate in Washington is graduated (higher rates for higher-priced sales)
- It may affect seller willingness to negotiate on price, particularly at round-number thresholds where the tax rate steps up
This is not a buyer cost — but it sometimes comes up in discussions about how sellers price their properties.
Exemptions and relief programs
Senior Citizen / Disabled Persons Exemption: Washington's most significant property tax relief program. Qualifying homeowners age 61 or older, or who are disabled, with household income below the program's threshold may receive a reduction in assessed value for property tax purposes. Income limits are adjusted periodically — verify current thresholds with the King County Assessor.
Property Tax Deferral: Washington offers a deferral program for qualifying low-income homeowners, allowing taxes to be deferred until the home is sold. Deferral is not forgiveness — the deferred amount becomes a lien on the property.
First-time buyers: There is no Washington state property tax exemption for first-time home buyers.
Veterans: Some property tax relief programs may be available for veterans. Contact the Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs or the King County Assessor's office for current programs and eligibility.
Property taxes and the buying decision
Property tax variation across King County is real and worth factoring in when comparing properties across cities or school districts.
A home in one city with higher levy rates can cost meaningfully more annually in property taxes than a comparable-priced home in an adjacent city with lower rates. When comparing homes across municipal boundaries, look up the actual tax bills rather than applying a single rate estimate.
For investment or rental properties, property taxes are typically deductible as a business expense. For primary residences, the federal SALT deduction cap may limit how much you can deduct. Consult a tax advisor about your specific situation.