Wake County, NC Property Taxes (2026)

Wake County owners pay a median of $3,023 a year on a median home value of $422,800, an effective rate of 0.71%. That's the 41st-highest rate of 100 North Carolina counties with Census data, above the North Carolina county median of 0.69%.

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

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Effective tax rate

0.71%

41st highest of 100 in NC

Median annual bill

$3,023

~$252/month

Median home value

$422,800

North Carolina county median

0.69%

Effective rate

What a protest could save you in Wake County

Enter the market value from your appraisal notice. We apply Wake County's 0.71% effective rate and a 10–15% reduction, the typical range for successful protests.

$
Est. annual tax
$3,002
Savings at 10–15% off
$300–$450
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Wake County vs. North Carolina vs. U.S. property tax rates

Wake County0.71%
North Carolina county median0.69%
U.S. county median0.84%

Key stat: Wake County's effective property tax rate is 0.71%, vs. 0.69% for the median North Carolina county and 0.84% for the median U.S. county. It ranks 41st of 100 in North Carolina. 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 Wake County

  1. 1

    Review your assessment notice

    Check the assessed value from the Wake County Tax Assessor. Compare it to recent sales of similar homes nearby.

  2. 2

    File your appeal before the deadline

    The Wake County deadline is Varies by county. 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 Tax Assessor.

  5. 5

    Get your decision

    If you win, your assessed value and bill go down. On a $3,023 bill, 10–15% off is $302–$453 a year.

Want help with it?

TaxDrop builds your case from comparable sales data.

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Property tax exemptions in North Carolina

North Carolina homeowners may qualify for exemptions that reduce taxable value. Check with the Wake County Tax 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 Wake County, North Carolina?
The median effective property tax rate in Wake County is 0.71%: a median annual bill of $3,023 on a median home value of $422,800. That's the 41st-highest rate of 100 North Carolina 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 Wake County?
The median Wake County property tax bill is $3,023 a year, about $252 a month, compared with a North Carolina county median of $1,275.
What is the deadline to appeal property taxes in Wake County?
The deadline to appeal in Wake County is Varies by county. Missing it means waiting until the next assessment cycle.
Is Wake County a high property tax area?
Wake County's 0.71% effective rate is above the North Carolina county median of 0.69% and below the U.S. county median of 0.84%. That's the 41st-highest rate of 100 North Carolina counties with Census data.
Can TaxDrop help lower my Wake County property taxes?
TaxDrop analyzes your property against local comparable sales and helps you appeal your assessment.

Property taxes in nearby counties

Durham County

Rate: 0.84%

Median bill: $2,951

Johnston County

Rate: 0.69%

Median bill: $1,840

Franklin County

Rate: 0.72%

Median bill: $1,732

Harnett County

Rate: 0.74%

Median bill: $1,642

Orange County

Rate: 0.96%

Median bill: $4,105

Chatham County

Rate: 0.67%

Median bill: $2,671

Granville County

Rate: 0.72%

Median bill: $1,694

Lee County

Rate: 0.80%

Median bill: $1,707

← All 100 North Carolina counties

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