Buying a home in Texas
Property taxes, transfer taxes, home values and first-time buyer help in Texas.
For home buyers in Texas: the taxes and typical costs of buying, with official sources.
At Texas's effective rate of 1.49%, a typical $296,424 home would owe about $4,417/year ($368/month) in property taxes. Actual bills depend on your county, city and exemptions. Run your numbers.
Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs
Your state housing finance agency offers down payment assistance and low-rate mortgages for eligible buyers. Visit Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs →
Next steps
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-year (B25103, B25077); Zillow Home Value Index; TallyClose closing-cost dataset (CC BY 4.0), which cites each state statute; NCSHA HFA directory. Last updated 2026-11-01.
Common questions
What is the property tax rate in Texas?
The effective property tax rate in Texas is 1.49%: the median tax of $4,232 divided by the median home value of $283,800 (U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024).
What is a typical home value in Texas?
$296,424 in September 2026, according to the Zillow Home Value Index.
Does Texas have a real estate transfer tax?
No. Texas has no state real estate transfer tax, although recording fees apply and some local governments may add their own taxes.
Who offers first-time homebuyer help in Texas?
Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs, the state housing finance agency, offers down payment assistance and lower-rate loans for eligible buyers.
Updated . Official sources: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, Zillow Research ZHVI.
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