Benton County, Washington Property Taxes
The median property tax rate in Benton County is 0.98%, which is just below the national median of 0.99% but higher than the Washington state median of 0.88%. With a median home value of $282,560 in Benton County, the typical annual property tax bill is around $2,407, which is slightly below the national median of $2,690. Property taxes in Benton County are calculated based on the assessed value, which is usually lower than the market value due to various exemptions such as those for primary residences and agricultural properties. Understanding Benton 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 Kennewick or another part of Benton County, gaining a comprehensive knowledge of local property taxes will benefit both homeowners and real estate investors.
Last Updated June 14, 2024
Benton County, Washington Property Tax Bill Calculator
$100,000
$1,500,000
$3,000,000
Average Tax Rate
0.98%
Estimate Property Tax Bill
$2,769
$2,570
Ownwell’s Benton County Property Tax Bill Calculator helps any homeowner, real estate investor, or potential owner to estimate their annual property taxes in Benton County with just 2 data points. Enter your property's estimated assessed value, and our calculator applies the median tax rate in Benton 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 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 Benton County, Washington
Property taxes in Benton County play a crucial role in funding essential local services like public schools, road maintenance, and emergency services. The median tax rate in Benton County is 0.98%, which is just below the U.S. national median of 0.99%. Local government entities within Benton County set these rates annually, and they can vary significantly between different areas within the county. Each year, Benton 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 Prosser has one of the higher property tax rates in Washington at 1.15%, while the city of Kennewick boasts one of the lowest at 0.71%. Analyzing how Benton County's tax rates stack up against these benchmarks can give homeowners a better understanding of the local tax landscape.
Average Benton County Tax Rate
0.98%
Average Washington Tax Rate
0.88%
Average United States Tax Rate
0.99%
Property Tax Rates Across Benton County, Washington
| City | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Rate | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Benton City | 0.87% | 0.92% | 1.03% | 1.12% | 1.33% |
| Grandview | 1.00% | 1.00% | 1.01% | 1.12% | 1.13% |
| Kennewick | 0.70% | 0.71% | 0.71% | 0.82% | 0.88% |
| Paterson | 0.72% | 0.72% | 0.73% | 0.74% | 0.75% |
| Plymouth | 0.80% | 0.80% | 0.81% | 0.83% | 0.85% |
| Prosser | 1.11% | 1.12% | 1.15% | 1.19% | 1.20% |
| Richland | 0.99% | 0.99% | 1.00% | 1.00% | 1.01% |
| Sunnyside | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| West Richland | 1.11% | 1.12% | 1.13% | 1.21% | 1.26% |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Benton County, Washington
In Benton 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 Benton 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 Benton 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. With a median home price of $282,560, the median tax bill ranges significantly, from $443 in Paterson to $3,810 in West Richland. Being aware of these valuation processes in Benton County will help you identify opportunities for appealing assessments or applying for exemptions to manage your tax burden more effectively.
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Benton County, Washington
Source: Ownwell
$66,485
$364,868
$663,250
Average Benton County Assessed Value
$282,560
Average Washington Assessed Value
$482,000
Average United States Assessed Value
$244,900
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Benton County, Washington
| City | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Home Price | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Benton City | $67,968 | $140,700 | $220,650 | $304,350 | $406,270 |
| Grandview | $108,266 | $147,040 | $203,320 | $274,210 | $332,082 |
| Kennewick | $111,690 | $211,630 | $278,120 | $359,150 | $480,000 |
| Paterson | $10,687 | $32,658 | $66,485 | $138,225 | $180,868 |
| Plymouth | $17,021 | $37,302 | $102,915 | $195,850 | $268,363 |
| Prosser | $45,000 | $122,695 | $197,020 | $282,945 | $399,579 |
| Richland | $153,410 | $243,960 | $319,010 | $419,380 | $530,330 |
| Sunnyside | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| West Richland | $55,000 | $223,332 | $323,635 | $429,522 | $543,643 |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Bills Across Benton County, Washington
In Benton 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 property tax rate to determine the annual tax bill. For instance, Benton County's median home price is $282,560. Homeowners in this area can expect varying tax bills depending on their property's assessed value and local tax rates. Factors such as property location, improvements, and market conditions influence the assessed value. The 25th percentile of tax bills in Benton County is $1,644, while the 75th percentile reaches $3,478. At the 90th percentile, homeowners face tax bills of up to $4,740. However, tax bills can vary significantly within the county; for example, West Richland has the highest median tax bill at $3,810, whereas Paterson has the lowest at $443. These property taxes fund essential public services like schools, infrastructure, and emergency services, directly impacting the quality of life for homeowners in Benton County.
Average Benton County Tax Bill
$2,407
Average Washington Tax Bill
$4,284
Average United States Tax Bill
$2,690
Property Tax Bills Across Benton County, Washington
| City | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Bill | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Benton City | $653 | $1,449 | $2,255 | $3,134 | $4,217 |
| Grandview | $743 | $1,497 | $2,151 | $2,818 | $3,471 |
| Kennewick | $530 | $1,550 | $2,048 | $2,655 | $3,662 |
| Paterson | $77 | $202 | $443 | $967 | $1,290 |
| Plymouth | $133 | $288 | $629 | $1,568 | $2,150 |
| Prosser | $369 | $1,262 | $2,227 | $3,231 | $4,562 |
| Richland | $1,054 | $2,368 | $3,117 | $4,120 | $5,218 |
| Sunnyside | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| West Richland | $574 | $2,532 | $3,810 | $4,914 | $6,260 |
Source: Ownwell