RealCostIQ

Property Tax Guide

Property Tax in District of Columbia (2026): Rates, Exemptions, and Real Numbers

District of Columbia's effective property tax rate is 0.55% — one of the lowest rates in the country (#42 nationally). On the state median of $601,400, that's $3,308/year or $276/month. Rates vary sharply by county: from 0.55% in N/A — single jurisdiction to 0.55% in District-wide (no counties).

Viewing:
·Switch state to compare

District of Columbia Property Tax Rates by County

Highest and lowest effective rates within District of Columbia

Highest rate

0.55%

District-wide (no counties)

$3,308/yr on median-priced home

Lowest rate

0.55%

N/A — single jurisdiction

$3,308/yr on median-priced home

County rate spread

N/A — single jurisdiction
District-wide (no counties)
0.55%0.55% statewide avg0.55%

Property Tax Calculator — District of Columbia

Pre-loaded with District of Columbia's 0.55% effective rate and $601,400 median price

Property Tax Estimator

District of Columbia rate pre-loaded

$
0.10%3.50%

Monthly Escrow

$276/mo

added to your mortgage payment

Annual property tax$3,308
10-year total$33,077
30-year total$99,231

Estimate based on effective rate. Actual bills vary by county and assessment.

Full Calculator →

Property Tax by City in District of Columbia

Annual and monthly property tax by city, based on local median prices and the statewide effective rate

Estimated property tax — District of Columbia cities

CityMedian PriceAnnual TaxMonthly% of P&I
Georgetown$1,650,000$9,075$756/mo9%
Capitol Hill$920,000$5,060$422/mo9%
Columbia Heights$720,000$3,960$330/mo9%
Anacostia$395,000$2,173$181/mo9%
Source: Tax Foundation Property Taxes by State 2024 — estimated at 0.55% effective rate

District of Columbia Homestead Exemption

District of Columbia offers a homestead exemption

Homestead Deduction: $84,850 reduction in assessed value for owner-occupied primary residences (2024; adjusted annually). Senior and Disabled Property Tax Relief: additional 50% reduction for qualifying seniors 65+ and disabled owners. Assessment cap: assessed value of residential property may not increase more than 10% per year.

Apply after purchase through your county assessor. Deadlines vary — check the link below.

Apply for District of Columbia homestead exemption →

How District of Columbia Assesses Property Values

Assessment cycle: Annual assessment by DC Office of Tax and Revenue at 100% of fair market value. 10% assessment increase cap for residential properties.

Assessment cycle

District of Columbia reassesses property on a annual assessment by dc office of tax and revenue at 100% of fair market value. 10% assessment increase cap for residential properties. schedule. Your assessed value changes on this cycle, so your tax bill can increase even if you haven't made improvements.

Assessed value vs. market value

Some states assess at a fraction of market value. District of Columbia's effective rate of 0.55% is calculated on market value. If you paid $601,400, your starting assessed value is approximately that amount.

How to appeal

If your assessment is higher than comparable sales in your area, you can appeal. File with your county Board of Assessment Appeals within the deadline on your notice (typically 30-90 days). Bring 3-5 recent comparable sales ("comps") pulled from Zillow or your county recorder. The process is free.

What drives reassessment

Triggers include your purchase price being recorded at county, permitted renovation work, and periodic mass appraisals. New construction is always assessed on completion.

Property Tax's Impact on Your True Monthly Cost

On a $601,400 home in District of Columbia

ComponentMonthly
Principal & Interest$3,006
Property Tax (0.55%)$276
Homeowners Insurance$109
Maintenance Reserve$752
Utilities$232
True monthly total$4,375

Property tax represents 6% of the true monthly cost in District of Columbia.

Mortgage Calculator Including Property Tax — District of Columbia

See your full PITI (principal, interest, taxes, insurance) payment

Mortgage Estimator

District of Columbia rates pre-loaded

$
3%50%
%

Monthly Payment (P&I)

$3,009

principal & interest only

Loan amount$481,120
Est. property tax$501/mo
Est. total with tax$3,510/mo
Total interest (30 yr)$602,276

Estimate only — excludes insurance, PMI, HOA.

Full Calculator →

How District of Columbia's Property Tax Affects Affordability

$276/month in property tax reduces the home price you can afford. Use the affordability calculator to see the real impact.

Mortgage Affordability Calculator

See what home price you can actually afford after factoring in District of Columbia's $276/month property tax burden.

Open Calculator →

Property Tax After Refinancing in District of Columbia

Refinancing changes your P&I but not your property tax. If your home was reassessed at a higher value, your tax bill increases regardless of your rate.

Mortgage Refinance Calculator

See if refinancing saves money after accounting for District of Columbia's property taxes — pre-loaded with the $601,400 median home value at 6.4%.

Open Calculator →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the property tax rate in District of Columbia?
District of Columbia's effective property tax rate is 0.55%, ranking #42 nationally. The median annual property tax bill is $3,308 ($276/month). Rates range from 0.55% in N/A — single jurisdiction to 0.55% in District-wide (no counties). Source: Tax Foundation Property Taxes by State 2024.
Does District of Columbia have a homestead exemption?
Yes — District of Columbia offers a homestead exemption for primary residences. Homestead Deduction: $84,850 reduction in assessed value for owner-occupied primary residences (2024; adjusted annually). Senior and Disabled Property Tax Relief: additional 50% reduction for qualifying seniors 65+ and disabled owners. Assessment cap: assessed value of residential property may not increase more than 10% per year.. Apply through your county assessor's office after purchasing your home.
How often is property reassessed in District of Columbia?
District of Columbia reassesses property on a annual assessment by dc office of tax and revenue at 100% of fair market value. 10% assessment increase cap for residential properties. basis. When your property is reassessed, your tax bill changes based on the new assessed value multiplied by the applicable rate. If you believe your assessment is too high, you can appeal — most counties allow 30-90 days after receiving your assessment notice.
How is property tax calculated in District of Columbia?
Property tax = Assessed Value × Mill Rate (or effective rate). In District of Columbia, the effective rate is 0.55% of market value. On a $601,400 home: $601,400 × 0.55% = $3,308/year. Assessments may use a fraction of market value — the effective rate accounts for this.
Can I appeal my property tax assessment in District of Columbia?
Yes. If your assessed value is higher than comparable sales in your area, you can file an appeal with your county assessment board. Steps: (1) Get your assessment notice, (2) Research comparable recent sales, (3) File an appeal by the deadline (typically 30-90 days from assessment notice). Studies show 20-40% of appeals result in a reduction. The process is free and you represent yourself — no attorney required.
Are property taxes included in my mortgage payment in District of Columbia?
Most lenders require an escrow account that collects $276/month ($3,308/year ÷ 12) along with your mortgage payment, then pays the county on your behalf. If your loan-to-value is below 80%, you may be able to opt out of escrow and pay taxes directly. Note: if your assessed value rises, your escrow payment adjusts and your total monthly cost increases.
What District of Columbia counties have the highest and lowest property taxes?
District of Columbia's highest effective rate is in District-wide (no counties) at 0.55%. The lowest is N/A — single jurisdiction at 0.55%. That's a 0.00% spread — on a $601,400 home, the difference is $0/year.

Related Calculators

Data Sources

  1. 1.Tax Foundation Property Taxes by State 2024
  2. 2.Zillow Home Value Index, April 2026
  3. 3.Freddie Mac PMMS, May 2026
  4. 4.District of Columbia homestead exemption

Note: These calculations are for educational purposes — always consult a licensed professional before making financial decisions.

Data shown for District of Columbia is sourced from the references above and updated periodically. All figures are estimates based on statewide medians and averages — actual costs vary by county, property type, lender, and individual circumstances. This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, tax, or legal advice. Consult a licensed professional before making real estate or financial decisions.