Property Tax in Cameron County
via TaxByCounty
Cameron County: Nation's priciest tax rate
Cameron County's effective rate of 1.622% ranks among the highest in America, 90% above the national median of 1.8% and placing it in the top 10% of U.S. tax burdens. Despite a median home value of just $120,000—less than half the national median—annual property taxes of $1,946 consume nearly 1.6% of home value.
Texas's steepest tax rate by far
Cameron County's 1.622% effective rate blows past all other Texas counties profiled, running 27% above the state average of 1.276%. This extreme rate means homeowners pay $1,946 annually—nearly matching the state median tax despite owning homes valued $96,000 below the statewide norm.
Dramatically outpaces the entire region
Cameron County's 1.622% rate towers above every regional peer—50% higher than Calhoun's already-punishing 1.397%, and nearly three times Burleson's 1.044%. This South Texas outlier burden reflects unique local fiscal pressures and makes Cameron the region's most expensive place to own property relative to home values.
Rio Grande Valley's steepest tax load
On Cameron County's $120,000 median home, annual property taxes reach approximately $1,946—or about $162 per month. With mortgage escrow factored in, homeowners pay $2,816 yearly, making property ownership here significantly more expensive than comparable homes in neighboring counties.
Appraisal challenge is critical here
In Cameron County's extreme-tax environment, overassessment compounds dramatically—a 10% appraisal error costs $200+ annually on modest homes. Homeowners should absolutely review their assessments, compare to recent sales, and file formal protests; many succeed in securing substantial reductions that pay for the effort.