Kittitas County Property Taxes
The median property tax rate in Kittitas County is 0.67%, which is significantly lower than both the national median of 0.99% and the Washington state median of 0.88%. With the median home value in Kittitas County at $385,890, the typical annual property tax bill reaches $3,249, which is still above the national median of $2,690. Property taxes in Kittitas County are calculated based on the assessed value, which often falls below the actual market value due to various property tax exemptions such as primary residence and agricultural exemptions. Understanding Kittitas County's specific property tax system, exploring available exemptions, and identifying opportunities for property tax reductions can provide significant annual savings. Whether you live in Ellensburg or another part of Kittitas County, gaining a comprehensive knowledge of local property taxes will benefit both homeowners and real estate investors.
Last Updated June 14, 2024
Kittitas County Property Tax Bill Calculator
$100,000
$2,500,000
$5,000,000
Average Tax Rate
0.88%
Estimate Property Tax Bill
$1,760
Ownwell’s Kittitas County Property Tax Bill Calculator helps any homeowner, real estate investor, or potential owner to estimate their annual property taxes in Kittitas County with just 2 data points. Enter your property's estimated assessed value, and our calculator applies the median tax rate in Kittitas County to estimate your property tax bill. This insight helps you understand potential tax liabilities. If you’d like to see trends on a city level, scroll down to navigate to a more local informational page. Your property's assessed value is the value assigned to your property by your county for property tax calculations. Assessed value takes into account any exemptions you may have on your property.
Property Tax Rates Across Kittitas County, Washington
Property taxes in Kittitas County play a crucial role in funding essential local services like public schools, road maintenance, and emergency services. The median tax rate in Kittitas County is 0.67%, which is lower than the U.S. national median of 0.99%. Local government entities within Kittitas County set these rates annually, and they can vary significantly between different areas within the county. Each year, Kittitas County estimates its required budget to maintain services for the upcoming fiscal year and divides this budget by the total value of all taxable property in the jurisdiction, resulting in the property tax rate. Although tax rates and budgets are influenced by laws and voter input, this calculation forms the basic process for setting property tax rates. For comparison, the city of Ellensburg has one of the higher property tax rates in Washington at 1.02%, while the city of Roslyn boasts one of the lowest at 0.53%. Analyzing how Kittitas County's tax rates stack up against these benchmarks can give homeowners a better understanding of the local tax landscape.
Average Kittitas County Tax Rate
0.67%
Average Washington Tax Rate
0.88%
Average United States Tax Rate
0.99%
Property Tax Rates Across Kittitas County, Washington
| City | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Rate | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cle Elum | 0.60% | 0.62% | 0.65% | 0.65% | 0.66% |
| Easton | 0.55% | 0.59% | 0.60% | 0.64% | 0.65% |
| Ellensburg | 0.80% | 0.97% | 1.02% | 1.02% | 1.02% |
| Kittitas | 0.94% | 0.94% | 0.94% | 0.94% | 0.94% |
| Malaga | 0.73% | 0.74% | 0.74% | 0.75% | 0.75% |
| Naches | 0.78% | 0.78% | 0.78% | 0.78% | 0.78% |
| Ronald | 0.62% | 0.63% | 0.63% | 0.63% | 0.64% |
| Roslyn | 0.53% | 0.53% | 0.53% | 0.53% | 0.53% |
| Snoqualmie Pass | 0.62% | 0.62% | 0.63% | 0.64% | 0.65% |
| South Cle Elum | 0.58% | 0.58% | 0.58% | 0.58% | 0.58% |
| Thorp | 0.79% | 0.79% | 0.80% | 0.80% | 0.81% |
| Vantage | 0.79% | 0.79% | 0.79% | 0.79% | 0.80% |
| Yakima | 0.75% | 0.75% | 0.75% | 0.76% | 0.77% |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Kittitas County, Washington
In Kittitas County, understanding the difference between "market value" and "assessed value" is key to comprehending property taxes. The market value represents the price a willing buyer would pay to a willing seller in an open, competitive market, considering location, property condition, and current economic trends. For tax purposes, this value is estimated by the Kittitas County Appraisal District. The assessed value, however, is the market value minus any applicable exemptions or limits based on local laws and available programs. The assessed value is then used to calculate your property taxes by multiplying it by the combined tax rates of all relevant taxing entities. Assessment notices in Kittitas County are typically mailed in the spring, usually by the middle of April. These notices provide homeowners with both the market and assessed values, along with an estimate of the annual property tax bill. By distinguishing between these valuation concepts, property owners can better navigate their tax responsibilities and understand how their property taxes are affected. Being aware of these valuation processes in Kittitas County will help you identify opportunities for appealing assessments or applying for exemptions to manage your tax burden more effectively. In Kittitas County, property tax bills can vary significantly. For instance, Snoqualmie Pass has the highest median tax bill at $4,201, while Naches has the lowest at $552. The median home price in the county stands at $385,890, with tax bills ranging from $2,089 at the 25th percentile to $6,362 at the 90th percentile.
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Kittitas County, Washington
Source: Ownwell
$71,170
$370,085
$669,000
Average Kittitas County Assessed Value
$385,890
Average Washington Assessed Value
$482,000
Average United States Assessed Value
$244,900
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Kittitas County, Washington
| City | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Home Price | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cle Elum | $201,944 | $305,332 | $482,865 | $835,665 | $1,507,387 |
| Easton | $125,836 | $272,790 | $436,660 | $645,460 | $921,146 |
| Ellensburg | $189,920 | $281,280 | $355,690 | $459,330 | $580,188 |
| Kittitas | $19,080 | $174,105 | $231,060 | $276,360 | $292,310 |
| Malaga | $111,719 | $130,062 | $160,635 | $191,208 | $209,551 |
| Naches | $60,049 | $63,392 | $71,170 | $81,080 | $101,819 |
| Ronald | $249,094 | $345,630 | $497,615 | $687,975 | $964,476 |
| Roslyn | $261,334 | $317,610 | $374,565 | $442,898 | $553,792 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | $260,588 | $314,585 | $669,000 | $879,745 | $1,149,442 |
| South Cle Elum | $187,625 | $239,462 | $307,100 | $385,972 | $457,140 |
| Thorp | $132,500 | $228,882 | $299,420 | $420,292 | $536,160 |
| Vantage | $5,610 | $32,370 | $338,710 | $477,350 | $660,856 |
| Yakima | $70,747 | $238,088 | $312,190 | $424,950 | $500,011 |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Bills Across Kittitas County, Washington
In Kittitas County, WA, property tax bills are calculated based on the assessed value of a home, which is determined by the county assessor. This assessed value is then multiplied by the local tax rate to determine the annual property tax bill. For context, the median home price in Kittitas County is $385,890. Several factors influence the tax bill, including the property's location, its assessed value, and any applicable exemptions or deductions. For instance, homeowners in Snoqualmie Pass face the highest median tax bill at $4,201, while those in Naches benefit from the lowest median tax bill at $552. Homeowners in the 25th percentile of tax bills pay around $2,089, while those in the 75th percentile pay approximately $4,446. The top 10% of homeowners face tax bills as high as $6,362. These property taxes help fund essential public services such as schools, infrastructure, and emergency services, directly impacting the quality of life and community resources available to residents.
Average Kittitas County Tax Bill
$3,249
Average Washington Tax Bill
$4,284
Average United States Tax Bill
$2,690
Property Tax Bills Across Kittitas County, Washington
| City | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Bill | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cle Elum | $1,192 | $1,902 | $3,102 | $5,331 | $9,703 |
| Easton | $646 | $1,614 | $2,657 | $3,949 | $5,566 |
| Ellensburg | $981 | $2,671 | $3,485 | $4,355 | $5,414 |
| Kittitas | $102 | $1,220 | $2,120 | $2,578 | $2,741 |
| Malaga | $821 | $962 | $1,196 | $1,431 | $1,571 |
| Naches | $466 | $492 | $552 | $629 | $790 |
| Ronald | $1,389 | $2,159 | $3,060 | $4,306 | $5,959 |
| Roslyn | $1,213 | $1,660 | $1,992 | $2,379 | $3,018 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | $1,661 | $2,011 | $4,201 | $5,496 | $7,065 |
| South Cle Elum | $965 | $1,362 | $1,696 | $2,223 | $2,731 |
| Thorp | $793 | $1,728 | $2,333 | $3,343 | $4,269 |
| Vantage | $35 | $255 | $2,693 | $3,787 | $5,235 |
| Yakima | $553 | $1,801 | $2,355 | $3,199 | $3,760 |
Source: Ownwell