Did Collin County Just Raise Property Taxes? Here's What It Means For Your Bill

Yes. Collin County commissioners approved the first property tax rate increase in 33 years, raising the rate from $0.149 to $0.151 per $100 of assessed value, effective October 1, 2026. For a median-value home of $517,911, that adds about $63 a year to the county portion of your tax bill.

 

I've been getting texts about this since Tuesday, so let's clear it up. Collin County just raised its property tax rate for the first time since 1993. Yes, 1993. That's 33 years of the rate staying put while our county turned into one of the fastest growing places in the country.

Here's the actual number. The rate is moving from $0.149 to $0.151 per $100 of assessed value, starting October 1. On a median-value home here, around $517,911, that's about $63 more a year on the county portion of your bill. Not nothing, but not the crisis some headlines are making it out to be.

Why now? Commissioners say it comes down to pay. The county needs to give employees raises to keep them, because Collin County has grown so fast that it's competing with other counties and private employers for the same workforce. County Judge Chris Hill pushed back and wanted a budget cut instead, so this wasn't unanimous. That tension is worth watching, because it tells you growth here isn't free. Somebody pays for the roads, the sheriff's deputies, the appraisal district keeping up with 200,000 new residents.

If you're a homeowner, this is a small bump, not a reason to panic. Your total tax bill depends on your city and school district rates too, and those vary a lot between Allen, McKinney, Frisco, Prosper, Melissa, and Celina. If you're buying right now, factor this into your monthly number when your lender runs your estimate, but don't let a $63 line item talk you out of a house you actually love.

If you're selling, don't expect this to move buyer behavior much. It's a rounding error next to mortgage rates and price. What actually affects your sale is condition, pricing strategy, and how your home compares to what closed down the street last month.

The bigger story here is that Collin County's growth has real costs, and we're going to keep having these conversations as more people move in. I'd rather you hear the real numbers from me than a scary headline.

FAQ Section

Q: How much did Collin County raise property taxes in 2026?

A: The county tax rate rose from $0.149 to $0.151 per $100 of assessed value, the first increase since 1993. On a median-value home of $517,911, that's about $63 more a year on the county portion of your tax bill.

Q: Why did Collin County raise property taxes for the first time in 33 years?

A: Commissioners approved the increase to fund employee raises, saying the county needs to stay competitive for recruitment and retention as Collin County's population keeps growing. The vote wasn't unanimous. County Judge Chris Hill proposed a budget cut and frozen wages instead.

Q: When does the new Collin County tax rate take effect?

A: The new rate takes effect October 1, 2026.

Q: Does this tax increase affect home values in Allen, McKinney, Frisco, or Prosper?

A: Not directly. The county rate is one small piece of your total tax bill, which also includes your city and school district rates. It's unlikely to move home prices on its own, but it's worth factoring into your monthly payment estimate if you're buying soon.