Pierce County, Washington Property Taxes

Name: Property Tax Bills Across Pierce County, Washington
Creator: Ownwell
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/

Median Pierce County effective property tax rate: 1.02%, aligning with the national median of 1.02%.
Median Pierce County home value: $465,900
Median annual Pierce County tax bill: $4,693, $2,293 higher than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.

How are property taxes in Pierce County calculated?

Property taxes in Pierce County are calculated based on the tax assessed value, which is often lower than the actual market value due to property tax exemptions such as the homestead or senior exemption.

Understanding your county's property tax system, exemptions, and reduction opportunities can lead to significant savings. Whether you live in Tacoma or another part of Pierce County, knowing local tax details benefits homeowners and investors.

Last Updated March 1, 2025

Pierce County, Washington Property Tax Bill Calculator

Property Assessed Value

$100,000

$1,500,000

$3,000,000

Median Effective Tax Rate

1.02%

Estimate Property Tax Bill

$4,752

$4,410

$1,102

Average Tax Savings

Ownwell’s Pierce County Property Tax Bill Calculator empowers homeowners, real estate investors, and potential buyers to estimate their annual property taxes in Pierce County with just two data points.

By entering your property's estimated assessed value, our calculator applies Pierce County’s median effective tax rate to accurately estimate your property tax bill. Note that your property's assessed value — determined by your county — reflects any exemptions you may have, ensuring a more precise calculation for your property tax obligations.

This insightful tool helps you understand potential tax liabilities and highlights how Ownwell can assist in reducing property taxes in Pierce County.

For those interested in more localized information, please scroll down to explore city-level trends!

Property Tax Rates Across Pierce County, Washington

Local government entities are responsible for setting tax rates, which can vary significantly within a state. Each year, counties estimate the budget required to provide essential services and divide this by the total value of all taxable properties within their jurisdiction, resulting in the property tax rate. Though votes and laws play a role in determining tax rates and budgets, this is the basic annual process. In Pierce County, Washington, the effective property tax rate reflects these calculations and can be compared to other counties in the state or the national median. With a median property tax rate of 1.02%, Pierce County aligns with the national median, making it a representative example of property taxation in the U.S. However, within Washington, there are variations, with Pacific having the highest median tax rate at 1.43% and Carbonado the lowest at 0.67%. This demonstrates the diversity in tax rates even within a single state, influenced by local budgeting needs and property values.

Property Tax Rates Across Pierce County, Washington

Source: Ownwell

0.67%

1.05%

1.43%

Our median effective property tax rate (tax bill ÷ assessor's market value) accounts for exemptions and deductions, making it more accurate than the general median tax rate, which is the midpoint of statutory rates before adjustments.

Median Effective Pierce County Tax Rate

1.02%

Median Effective Washington Tax Rate

0.88%

Median Effective United States Tax Rate

1.02%

Property Tax Rates Across Pierce County, Washington

City	10th Percentile	25th Percentile	Median Tax Rate	75th Percentile	90th Percentile
Anderson Island	0.71%	0.83%	0.88%	0.90%	0.95%
Ashford	0.45%	0.70%	0.80%	0.88%	0.96%
Auburn	0.98%	1.03%	1.06%	1.11%	1.12%
Belfair	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Bonney Lake	0.82%	0.98%	1.02%	1.06%	1.10%
Buckley	0.71%	0.91%	0.96%	1.02%	1.06%
Carbonado	0.57%	0.65%	0.67%	0.73%	0.93%
Dupont	0.79%	0.80%	0.80%	0.80%	0.81%
Eatonville	0.73%	0.82%	0.88%	0.92%	0.98%
Edgewood	0.89%	0.99%	1.01%	1.03%	1.07%
Elbe	0.77%	0.84%	0.90%	0.94%	1.00%
Enumclaw	0.75%	0.81%	0.85%	0.86%	0.89%
Federal Way	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Fife	0.89%	0.94%	1.00%	1.02%	1.04%
Fircrest	0.87%	0.88%	0.88%	0.89%	0.90%
Fox Island	0.77%	0.77%	0.81%	0.82%	0.83%
Gig Harbor	0.71%	0.76%	0.82%	0.84%	0.89%
Graham	0.80%	1.02%	1.12%	1.16%	1.20%
Home	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Joint Base Lewis Mcchord	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Kapowsin	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Lakebay	0.65%	0.76%	0.81%	0.85%	0.89%
Lake Tapps	0.81%	0.92%	0.97%	1.04%	1.10%
Lakewood	0.77%	1.01%	1.03%	1.05%	1.06%
Longbranch	0.73%	0.80%	0.83%	0.87%	0.96%
Mcchord Afb	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Mckenna	0.89%	0.97%	1.00%	1.02%	1.05%
Milton	0.96%	1.00%	1.01%	1.02%	1.04%
Orting	0.77%	0.87%	0.89%	0.91%	0.98%
Pacific	0.94%	1.03%	1.43%	2.19%	2.37%
Puyallup	0.90%	0.97%	1.01%	1.05%	1.13%
Roy	0.80%	0.94%	1.01%	1.08%	1.14%
Ruston	0.80%	0.84%	0.86%	0.89%	0.93%
South Prairie	0.76%	0.83%	0.87%	0.89%	0.92%
Spanaway	0.96%	1.11%	1.14%	1.16%	1.19%
Steilacoom	0.76%	0.82%	0.84%	0.88%	0.88%
Sumner	0.72%	1.02%	1.04%	1.04%	1.10%
Tacoma	0.93%	0.99%	1.03%	1.08%	1.13%
Terrace Park	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
University Place	1.03%	1.06%	1.09%	1.10%	1.12%
Vaughn	0.76%	0.80%	0.83%	0.89%	0.90%
Wilkeson	0.83%	0.87%	0.89%	0.91%	0.96%

Source: Ownwell

Property Tax Assessment Values Across Pierce County, Washington

When examining property taxes in Pierce County, understanding the distinction between "market value" and "assessed value" is crucial. The market value is what a willing buyer would pay to a willing seller in an open and competitive market, often influenced by location, property condition, and economic market trends. The Pierce County Assessor-Treasurer's Office estimates the market value for tax purposes. The assessed value is the market value minus any applicable exemptions or limits determined by local laws and offerings. The tax assessed value is the figure used to calculate your property taxes or the amount multiplied by your tax rate to get your tax bill.

Assessment notices: In Pierce County, assessment notices are sent in the spring each year. They’ll typically reach your mailbox by the middle of May. Each property owner receives an assessment notice that contains both the market value and assessed value, along with an estimate of your property tax bill. By providing insights into how assessed and market values are determined, this section helps property owners navigate their tax responsibilities and understand the valuation processes affecting their property taxes in Pierce County. For example, the median tax bill in Pierce County is $4,736, with tax bills ranging significantly across the county. Fox Island has the highest median home price at $902,850.

Property Tax Assessment Values Across Pierce County, Washington

Source: Ownwell

$25,000

$463,925

$902,850

Median Pierce County Market Value

$465,900

Median Washington Market Value

$482,000

Median United States Market Value

$235,294

Property Tax Assessment Values Across Pierce County, Washington

City	10th Percentile	25th Percentile	Median Home Price	75th Percentile	90th Percentile
Anderson Island	$155,500	$289,875	$391,450	$549,225	$746,930
Ashford	$62,980	$114,450	$230,450	$354,525	$491,690
Auburn	$316,800	$429,000	$538,900	$644,100	$731,420
Belfair	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Bonney Lake	$271,900	$410,400	$507,800	$621,100	$740,100
Buckley	$251,160	$383,975	$505,350	$633,500	$807,140
Carbonado	$251,610	$318,275	$406,900	$591,025	$760,050
Dupont	$352,200	$394,975	$467,800	$538,200	$618,800
Eatonville	$161,430	$312,375	$433,200	$588,625	$769,800
Edgewood	$410,000	$499,425	$597,400	$735,100	$889,490
Elbe	$50,940	$166,775	$261,100	$404,400	$520,510
Enumclaw	$142,200	$346,525	$649,600	$826,800	$1,090,200
Federal Way	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Fife	$319,100	$407,325	$477,400	$542,700	$603,000
Fircrest	$406,250	$478,775	$567,200	$646,600	$723,050
Fox Island	$505,290	$648,675	$902,850	$1,280,950	$1,692,630
Gig Harbor	$372,300	$520,525	$673,800	$919,500	$1,310,580
Graham	$144,720	$349,500	$454,800	$559,300	$704,280
Home	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Joint Base Lewis Mcchord	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Kapowsin	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Lakebay	$134,060	$270,475	$402,850	$564,875	$803,260
Lake Tapps	$398,500	$524,900	$690,200	$1,015,300	$1,487,580
Lakewood	$239,800	$349,675	$426,700	$526,300	$680,940
Longbranch	$171,750	$315,900	$470,350	$667,300	$943,250
Mcchord Afb	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Mckenna	$90,180	$233,350	$339,500	$405,400	$434,500
Milton	$329,300	$398,475	$498,900	$588,150	$729,010
Orting	$299,060	$388,825	$453,050	$529,175	$617,740
Pacific	$17,670	$24,225	$88,900	$233,150	$427,730
Puyallup	$297,000	$399,300	$470,100	$554,000	$654,100
Roy	$102,000	$277,825	$424,650	$564,100	$712,550
Ruston	$408,950	$483,700	$600,150	$849,200	$1,056,600
South Prairie	$254,900	$355,525	$409,100	$455,450	$607,700
Spanaway	$185,600	$352,300	$412,000	$465,000	$533,700
Steilacoom	$325,120	$409,300	$534,900	$746,700	$965,380
Sumner	$268,400	$388,300	$478,300	$567,600	$699,200
Tacoma	$304,600	$356,700	$428,400	$526,850	$682,200
Terrace Park	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
University Place	$414,020	$500,325	$574,950	$675,075	$852,880
Vaughn	$163,380	$358,700	$570,400	$818,350	$1,169,960
Wilkeson	$196,180	$298,600	$372,500	$449,100	$631,580

Source: Ownwell

Property Tax Bills Across Pierce County, Washington

In Pierce County, WA, property tax bills are calculated based on the assessed value of a home and the local tax rate. The median home price in the region is $465,900, and homeowners typically face tax bills ranging from $3,640 at the 25th percentile to $7,459 at the 90th percentile. The highest median tax bill in the county is found in Fox Island at $7,099, while Pacific boasts the lowest at $1,033. These figures contrast with the national median property tax bill of $2,400, indicating that many Pierce County homeowners pay significantly more. The tax bill is influenced by various factors, including property value, local levies, and school district funding. High property taxes can strain homeowners' budgets, but Ownwell offers a solution. By providing expert property tax appeal and exemption services, Ownwell helps homeowners potentially reduce their tax burdens. Through careful assessment and strategic appeals, homeowners can achieve significant savings, ensuring their property taxes are more manageable.

Property Tax Bills Across Pierce County, Washington

Source: Ownwell

$144

$3,927

$7,710

Median Pierce County Tax Bill

$4,693

Median Washington Tax Bill

$4,284

Median United States Tax Bill

$2,400

Property Tax Bills Across Pierce County, Washington

City	10th Percentile	25th Percentile	Median Tax Bill	75th Percentile	90th Percentile
Anderson Island	$536	$2,312	$3,427	$4,898	$6,610
Ashford	$333	$751	$1,666	$2,656	$3,916
Auburn	$3,516	$4,743	$5,555	$6,705	$7,706
Belfair	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Bonney Lake	$1,776	$3,903	$4,995	$6,288	$7,630
Buckley	$1,313	$3,465	$4,791	$6,056	$7,695
Carbonado	$933	$2,016	$2,605	$4,148	$6,327
Dupont	$2,725	$3,136	$3,732	$4,312	$4,954
Eatonville	$1,029	$2,511	$3,801	$5,125	$6,766
Edgewood	$3,183	$4,916	$5,941	$7,323	$8,810
Elbe	$369	$1,202	$2,148	$3,311	$4,530
Enumclaw	$1,122	$2,568	$5,319	$6,908	$9,391
Federal Way	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Fife	$3,137	$3,941	$4,620	$5,250	$5,987
Fircrest	$3,469	$4,076	$4,975	$5,724	$6,406
Fox Island	$3,973	$5,201	$7,099	$10,059	$13,159
Gig Harbor	$2,622	$4,159	$5,401	$7,348	$10,178
Graham	$881	$3,557	$5,008	$6,188	$7,642
Home	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Joint Base Lewis Mcchord	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Kapowsin	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Lakebay	$682	$1,842	$3,143	$4,410	$6,358
Lake Tapps	$3,804	$5,236	$6,759	$9,540	$13,615
Lakewood	$747	$3,438	$4,357	$5,355	$6,930
Longbranch	$853	$2,483	$3,765	$5,422	$7,739
Mcchord Afb	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Mckenna	$495	$2,245	$3,098	$4,073	$4,250
Milton	$3,244	$3,940	$4,964	$5,788	$7,167
Orting	$2,111	$3,387	$3,986	$4,745	$5,694
Pacific	$404	$538	$1,033	$2,236	$4,380
Puyallup	$1,696	$3,982	$4,771	$5,618	$6,584
Roy	$649	$2,449	$4,232	$5,678	$7,312
Ruston	$3,191	$4,060	$5,297	$7,331	$9,235
South Prairie	$1,701	$2,924	$3,495	$3,919	$5,311
Spanaway	$908	$3,844	$4,657	$5,269	$5,995
Steilacoom	$1,939	$3,410	$4,392	$6,116	$7,898
Sumner	$1,090	$3,866	$4,857	$5,861	$7,244
Tacoma	$2,607	$3,544	$4,442	$5,431	$6,872
Terrace Park	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
University Place	$4,259	$5,392	$6,178	$7,258	$9,151
Vaughn	$873	$2,559	$4,455	$6,946	$10,275
Wilkeson	$1,370	$2,574	$3,264	$4,039	$6,042

Source: Ownwell

Want to lower your Pierce County property taxes?

Looking to reduce your Pierce County property taxes? Ownwell is the leading property tax protest company serving Pierce County. We specialize in helping property owners in the Tacoma area and beyond lower their taxes by working directly with the Pierce County Assessor-Treasurer. Through our tax monitoring service, we collect all necessary information to maximize your tax reductions. We navigate the complexities of the Pierce County property tax protest process and identify all available property tax exemptions so you don’t have to. Whether you are a homeowner, a real estate investor, or an asset manager, our local team at Ownwell has the expertise to assess your current property tax situation and identify strategic opportunities for reducing your tax burden. By managing the protest process from beginning to end, we not only simplify the procedure but also increase your chances of obtaining a favorable result. Let Ownwell be your trusted partner in lowering your Pierce County property tax expenses through our proven strategies and expert advocacy.

Property Tax Appeals in Washington

In Pierce County, WA, homeowners who believe their property tax assessments are too high can initiate a protest process to appeal these valuations. The appeal process begins with the homeowner filing a petition with the Pierce County Board of Equalization. This petition must be submitted within 60 days of receiving the assessment notice or by July 1st, whichever is later. The Board of Equalization is the body that listens to and reviews these appeals, ensuring that assessments are fair and equitable.

Homeowners should prepare to present evidence that supports their claim of an inaccurate assessment. This evidence can include recent sales data of comparable properties, independent appraisals, or any documentation that challenges the county's valuation. Once the petition is filed, the Board schedules a hearing where both the homeowner and the assessor's office can present their cases.

Potential outcomes of the appeal can vary. If the Board finds the assessment to be excessive, it may reduce the assessed value, leading to a lower tax bill. Conversely, the Board may uphold the original assessment if it deems the valuation accurate. In some cases, the Board might even increase the assessment if evidence suggests the property was undervalued.

Ownwell can assist homeowners throughout the appeal process by providing expert guidance and support. Our team can help gather the necessary evidence, prepare a compelling case, and represent homeowners during hearings. By leveraging our expertise, homeowners can navigate the complex appeal process more effectively and increase their chances of a favorable outcome. With Ownwell's assistance, homeowners can ensure their property tax assessments are fair and just.

Exemptions in Washington

Pierce County offers several property tax exemption programs designed to provide relief to eligible homeowners. One of the primary exemptions available is the Senior Citizen and Disabled Persons Exemption. This program is tailored for homeowners aged 61 or older, or those who are retired due to a disability. Eligibility is determined by income, and the exemption can significantly reduce the assessed value of a primary residence, thus lowering the property tax bill.

Another important exemption is the Home Improvement Exemption. This program allows homeowners to make improvements to their primary residence without an immediate increase in property taxes, offering a temporary tax relief on the added value from renovations.

Additionally, Pierce County provides a Tax Deferral Program for Senior Citizens and Disabled Persons. This program allows eligible homeowners to defer property taxes, which are then paid back when the property is sold or transferred. This can be a beneficial option for those on a fixed income, providing immediate financial relief.

Homeowners can apply for these exemptions through the Pierce County Assessor-Treasurer’s Office by submitting the necessary documentation and application forms. Ownwell can assist homeowners in navigating these programs, ensuring they understand the eligibility requirements and application process, maximizing their potential savings on property taxes.

Available Exemptions