Cook County, IL Property Taxes (2026)
Cook County owners pay a median of $6,053 a year on a median home value of $305,200, an effective rate of 1.98%. That's the 34th-highest rate of 102 Illinois counties with Census data, above the Illinois county median of 1.85%.
Updated October 2026 · Data: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (2019–2023)
Is your Cook appraisal too high?
We compare your value to recent Cook County sales and show you in about a minute whether a appeal is worth it.
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Effective tax rate
1.98%
34th highest of 102 in IL
Median annual bill
$6,053
~$504/month
Median home value
$305,200
Illinois county median
1.85%
Effective rate
What a protest could save you in Cook County
Enter the market value from your appraisal notice. We apply Cook County's 1.98% effective rate and a 10–15% reduction, the typical range for successful protests.
- Est. annual tax
- $6,043
- Savings at 10–15% off
- $604–$906
Cook County vs. Illinois vs. U.S. property tax rates
Key stat: Cook County's effective property tax rate is 1.98%, vs. 1.85% for the median Illinois county and 0.84% for the median U.S. county. It ranks 34th of 102 in Illinois. 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 Cook County
- 1
Review your assessment notice
Check the assessed value from the Cook County Assessor. Compare it to recent sales of similar homes nearby.
- 2
File your appeal before the deadline
The Cook County deadline is 30 days after publication. Missing it means waiting until the next assessment year.
- 3
Gather evidence
Recent comparable sales, photos of condition issues, repair estimates or an independent appraisal.
- 4
Present your case
Submit evidence or attend a hearing with the County Assessor.
- 5
Get your decision
If you win, your assessed value and bill go down. On a $6,053 bill, 10–15% off is $605–$908 a year.
Property tax exemptions in Illinois
Illinois homeowners may qualify for exemptions that reduce taxable value. Check with the Cook County Assessor 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 Cook County, Illinois?
How much are property taxes in Cook County?
What is the deadline to appeal property taxes in Cook County?
Is Cook County a high property tax area?
Can TaxDrop help lower my Cook County property taxes?
Property taxes in nearby counties
Lake County
Rate: 2.68%
Median bill: $8,743
DuPage County
Rate: 2.09%
Median bill: $7,833
Will County
Rate: 2.35%
Median bill: $6,993
Kane County
Rate: 2.39%
Median bill: $7,230
Kendall County
Rate: 2.53%
Median bill: $7,556
McHenry County
Rate: 2.49%
Median bill: $7,153
Kankakee County
Rate: 2.22%
Median bill: $4,125
Grundy County
Rate: 2.03%
Median bill: $5,260
Stop overpaying on property taxes
See in about a minute whether your Cook value looks too high.
