Highlands County, FL Property Taxes (2026)

Highlands County owners pay a median of $1,295 a year on a median home value of $177,900, an effective rate of 0.73%. That's the 36th-highest rate of 67 Florida counties with Census data, below the Florida county median of 0.74%.

Updated October 2026 · Data: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (2019–2023)

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Effective tax rate

0.73%

36th highest of 67 in FL

Median annual bill

$1,295

~$108/month

Median home value

$177,900

Florida county median

0.74%

Effective rate

What a protest could save you in Highlands County

Enter the market value from your appraisal notice. We apply Highlands County's 0.73% effective rate and a 10–15% reduction, the typical range for successful protests.

$
Est. annual tax
$1,299
Savings at 10–15% off
$130–$195
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Highlands County vs. Florida vs. U.S. property tax rates

Highlands County0.73%
Florida county median0.74%
U.S. county median0.84%

Key stat: Highlands County's effective property tax rate is 0.73%, vs. 0.74% for the median Florida county and 0.84% for the median U.S. county. It ranks 36th of 67 in Florida. Effective rate = median tax bill ÷ median home value, so it already reflects typical exemptions. (Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (2019–2023))

How to appeal your property taxes in Highlands County

  1. 1

    Review your assessment notice

    Check the assessed value from the Highlands County Property Appraiser. Compare it to recent sales of similar homes nearby.

  2. 2

    File your appeal before the deadline

    The Highlands County deadline is 25 days after TRIM notice. Missing it means waiting until the next assessment year.

  3. 3

    Gather evidence

    Recent comparable sales, photos of condition issues, repair estimates or an independent appraisal.

  4. 4

    Present your case

    Submit evidence or attend a hearing with the County Property Appraiser.

  5. 5

    Get your decision

    If you win, your assessed value and bill go down. On a $1,295 bill, 10–15% off is $130–$194 a year.

Highlands County property tax appeal guide →

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Property tax exemptions in Florida

Florida homeowners may qualify for exemptions that reduce taxable value. Check with the Highlands County Property Appraiser for amounts.

Homestead exemption

For your primary residence. Reduces the value used to calculate your bill.

Senior / over-65

Many states add an exemption or freeze for owners 65 and older.

Disability

For homeowners with qualifying disabilities, often similar to the over-65 benefit.

Veterans

Disabled veterans may get partial or full exemptions depending on rating.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the property tax rate in Highlands County, Florida?
The median effective property tax rate in Highlands County is 0.73%: a median annual bill of $1,295 on a median home value of $177,900. That's the 36th-highest rate of 67 Florida counties with Census data. Your own rate depends on which city, school district and special districts you're in. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (2019–2023).
How much are property taxes in Highlands County?
The median Highlands County property tax bill is $1,295 a year, about $108 a month, compared with a Florida county median of $1,709.
What is the deadline to appeal property taxes in Highlands County?
The deadline to appeal in Highlands County is 25 days after TRIM notice. Missing it means waiting until the next assessment cycle.
Is Highlands County a high property tax area?
Highlands County's 0.73% effective rate is below the Florida county median of 0.74% and below the U.S. county median of 0.84%. That's the 36th-highest rate of 67 Florida counties with Census data.
Can TaxDrop help lower my Highlands County property taxes?
TaxDrop analyzes your property against local comparable sales and helps you appeal your assessment. See www.taxdrop.com/property-tax-appeal-pricing for current pricing.

Property taxes in nearby counties

Okeechobee County

Rate: 0.75%

Median bill: $1,349

Glades County

Rate: 1.01%

Median bill: $1,163

DeSoto County

Rate: 0.87%

Median bill: $1,322

Hardee County

Rate: 1.05%

Median bill: $1,358

Polk County

Rate: 0.74%

Median bill: $1,769

Charlotte County

Rate: 0.89%

Median bill: $2,581

Osceola County

Rate: 0.79%

Median bill: $2,498

Indian River County

Rate: 0.73%

Median bill: $2,288

← All 67 Florida counties

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