Okeechobee, Highlands County, Florida Property Taxes
Property Taxes in Okeechobee, Florida
Median Okeechobee, Florida effective property tax rate: 1.31%, significantly higher than the national median of 1.02%, and higher than the Florida state median of 1.10%.
Median Okeechobee, Florida home value: $68,670
Median annual Okeechobee, Florida tax bill: $790, $1,610 lower than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.
How are property taxes in Highlands calculated?
Property taxes in Okeechobee, Florida are calculated based on the tax assessed value, which is often lower than the actual market value due to property tax exemptions such as the homestead or senior exemption.
Understanding Okeechobee's property tax system, exemptions, and reduction opportunities can lead to significant savings. Regardless of where you live in Okeechobee, knowing local tax details benefits homeowners and investors.
Last Updated April 13, 2026
Okeechobee, Highlands County, Florida Property Tax Bill Calculator
$100,000
$1,500,000
$3,000,000
Median Effective Tax Rate
1.31%
Estimate Property Tax Bill
$900
$835
How Does the Okeechobee Property Tax Calculator Work?
Use this Okeechobee property tax calculator to estimate your annual property tax bill. Enter your property's assessed value and our calculator applies Okeechobee's median effective tax rate of 1.31% — based on actual property records in Highlands County — to generate your estimate.
Enter your property's estimated assessed value — the figure the local appraisal district uses to calculate your bill, which reflects any exemptions you hold and is typically lower than your home's market value. Our calculator applies Okeechobee's median effective rate across all local levies, providing a more accurate estimate than applying a single county millage rate.
Your bill may vary by ZIP code within Okeechobee: rates range from 1.31% in 34974 to 1.31% in 34974, primarily due to differences in school district levies and local assessment districts.
For a more precise estimate, scroll down to explore ZIP code-level tax rate trends across Okeechobee.
About Okeechobee Property Taxes
About Property Taxes in Okeechobee, Highlands, Florida
Okeechobee’s median effective property tax rate of 1.31% is higher than the Florida state median of 1.10% and higher than the national median of 1.02%. This rate reflects the Highlands County base levy combined with local school district levies and Municipal Service Benefit Units that vary by subdivision throughout the city.
Property tax rates are not uniform across Okeechobee. Homeowners in ZIP code 34974 carry a median effective rate of 1.31%, while those in the same ZIP code also pay 1.31%. This spread reflects how school district boundaries and local assessment districts are drawn across Highlands County. Understanding where you live in Okeechobee can make a meaningful difference to your annual tax bill.
Okeechobee homeowners who believe their assessed value is too high can file a formal appeal with the Property Appraiser before the September 15, 2026 deadline each year.
If your estimated bill seems higher than expected, Ownwell can review your assessment and protest on your behalf. You only pay if we save you money.
Property Tax Rates Across Okeechobee, Highlands County, Florida
As noted earlier, local government entities set tax rates, which can vary widely within a state.
Why? Because annually, each county estimates its required budget to provide services and divides that by the total value of all taxable property within its jurisdiction. This calculation results in the property tax rate.
While there are votes and laws involved in setting tax rates and budgets, in a nutshell, this is the annual process.
Below, you can compare Okeechobee's effective property tax rate to other cities in Florida and the median property tax rates in Florida and the U.S.
Our median effective property tax rate (tax bill ÷ assessor's market value) accounts for exemptions and deductions, making it more accurate than the general median tax rate, which is the midpoint of statutory rates before adjustments.
Median Effective Okeechobee Tax Rate
1.31%
Our median effective property tax rate (tax bill ÷ assessor's market value) accounts for exemptions and deductions, making it more accurate than the general median tax rate, which is the midpoint of statutory rates before adjustments.
Median Effective Highlands County Tax Rate
0.89%
Median Effective Florida Tax Rate
1.10%
Median Effective United States Tax Rate
1.02%
Property Tax Rates Across Okeechobee, Highlands County, Florida
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Rate | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 34974 | 0.50% | 0.67% | 1.31% | 1.48% | 1.64% |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Okeechobee, Highlands County, Florida
When examining property taxes in Okeechobee, Florida, understanding the distinction between market value and assessed value is crucial.
The market value is what a willing buyer would pay to a willing seller in an open and competitive market, often influenced by location, property condition, and economic market trends. The Highlands County property appraiser estimates the market value for tax purposes.
The assessed value is the market value minus any applicable exemptions or limits determined by local laws and offerings. The tax assessed value is the figure used to calculate your property taxes or the amount multiplied by your tax rate to get your tax bill.
Assessment notices:
In Highlands County, assessment notices are sent in August each year. They'll typically reach your mailbox by the middle of August.
Each property owner receives an assessment notice that contains both the market value and assessed value, along with an estimate of your property tax bill. For example, the median home price in Okeechobee is $68,670, with tax bills ranging significantly across the county. Zip code 34974 has the highest median home price at $68,670.
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Okeechobee, Highlands County, Florida
Source: Ownwell
$68,670
$148,126
$227,582
Median Okeechobee Market Value
$68,670
Median Highlands County Market Value
$180,546
Median Florida Market Value
$310,033
Median United States Market Value
$235,294
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Okeechobee, Highlands County, Florida
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Home Price | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 34974 | $43,661 | $52,557 | $68,670 | $100,682 | $127,174 |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Bills Across Okeechobee, Highlands County, Florida
How are property tax bills calculated in Okeechobee?
Property tax bills in Okeechobee are based on the assessed value of a home, which is then multiplied by the local tax rate. That means a higher market value usually leads to a larger bill, while exemptions can reduce what a homeowner owes. The final amount also depends on local taxing authorities in Highlands County, so two homes with different assessed values may not receive the same bill.
What factors affect the amount homeowners pay?
For homeowners in Okeechobee, the size, location, and market value of the property all influence the assessed value used for taxation. The typical home price in the area is $68,670, and tax bills vary widely. The 25th percentile tax bill is $572, the 75th percentile is $1,019, and the 90th percentile reaches $1,500. The median tax bill is $790, which is well below the national median property tax bill of $2,400 and reflects a lower-than-average property tax burden.
Median Okeechobee Tax Bill
$790
Median Highlands County Tax Bill
$1,468
Median Florida Tax Bill
$3,263
Median United States Tax Bill
$2,400
Property Tax Bills Across Okeechobee, Highlands County, Florida
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Bill | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 34974 | $319 | $572 | $790 | $1,019 | $1,500 |
Source: Ownwell
Don't miss the deadline to petition!
Dates | |
|---|---|
| Appeal Deadline | September 15 |
Links | |
|---|---|
| Highlands Property Appraiser | |
| Website | www.hcpao.org |