Cortland, Tompkins County, New York Property Taxes
Property Taxes in Cortland, New York
Median Cortland, New York effective property tax rate: 1.69%, significantly higher than the national median of 1.02%, and lower than the New York state median of 1.90%.
Median Cortland, New York home value: $179,500
Median annual Cortland, New York tax bill: $2,391, $9 lower than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.
How are property taxes in Tompkins calculated?
Property taxes in Cortland, New York 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 Cortland's property tax system, exemptions, and reduction opportunities can lead to significant savings. Regardless of where you live in Cortland, knowing local tax details benefits homeowners and investors.
Last Updated April 13, 2026
Cortland, Tompkins County, New York Property Tax Bill Calculator
$100,000
$1,500,000
$3,000,000
Median Effective Tax Rate
1.69%
Estimate Property Tax Bill
$3,034
$2,815
How Does the Cortland Property Tax Calculator Work?
Use this Cortland property tax calculator to estimate your annual property tax bill. Enter your property's assessed value and our calculator applies Cortland's median effective tax rate of 1.69% — based on actual property records in Tompkins County — to generate your estimate.
Enter your property's estimated assessed value — the figure used to calculate your bill, which reflects any exemptions you hold and is typically lower than your home's market value. Our calculator applies Cortland'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 Cortland: rates are 1.69% in 13045, and the median tax bill is $2,391. That is higher than the New York state median tax rate of 1.90%, while the median tax bill is $9 lower than the state figure.
For a more precise estimate, scroll down to explore ZIP code-level tax rate trends across Cortland.
About Cortland Property Taxes
About Property Taxes in Cortland, Tompkins, New York
Cortland’s median effective property tax rate of 1.69% is lower than the New York state median of 1.90% and higher than the national median of 1.02%. This rate reflects the Tompkins County base levy combined with local school district levies and special district levies that vary by subdivision throughout the city.
Property tax rates are not uniform across Cortland. Homeowners in ZIP code 13045 carry a median effective rate of 1.69%, while those in the lowest ZIP code also pay 1.69%. This spread reflects how school district boundaries and local assessment districts are drawn across Tompkins County. Understanding which part of Cortland you live in can make a meaningful difference to your annual tax bill.
Cortland homeowners who believe their assessed value is too high can file a formal appeal with the Assessment Review Commission before the May 26, 2026 deadline each year.
If your estimated bill above 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 Cortland, Tompkins County, New York
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 Cortland's effective property tax rate to other cities in New York and the median property tax rates in New York 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 Cortland Tax Rate
1.69%
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 Tompkins County Tax Rate
2.53%
Median Effective New York Tax Rate
1.90%
Median Effective United States Tax Rate
1.02%
Property Tax Rates Across Cortland, Tompkins County, New York
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Rate | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13045 | 0.93% | 1.11% | 1.69% | 2.17% | 2.29% |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Cortland, Tompkins County, New York
When examining property taxes in Cortland, New York, 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 Tompkins County appraisal district 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 Tompkins County, assessment notices are sent in the spring each year. They'll typically reach your mailbox by the middle of May.
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. The median home price in Cortland is $179,500, and the median tax bill is $2,391, compared with the national median property tax rate of 1.02% and national median property tax bill of $2,400. The highest median home price is in zip code 13045 at $179,500.
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Cortland, Tompkins County, New York
Source: Ownwell
$171,000
$265,500
$360,000
Median Cortland Market Value
$179,500
Median Tompkins County Market Value
$290,000
Median New York Market Value
$312,500
Median United States Market Value
$235,294
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Cortland, Tompkins County, New York
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Home Price | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13045 | $73,500 | $119,000 | $179,500 | $232,000 | $285,800 |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Bills Across Cortland, Tompkins County, New York
Property tax bills in Cortland are based on the assessed value of a home and the local tax rate set by taxing authorities. For a home with a median market value of $179,500, the bill reflects how much of that value is taxable after local assessments are applied.
Several factors shape the final amount, including the home’s assessed value, any exemptions the homeowner qualifies for, and the tax rates used by the county and other local districts. In Tompkins County, the median property tax bill is $2,391, which is close to the national median property tax bill of $2,400.
For homeowners, this means property taxes can have a meaningful effect on monthly housing costs and long-term affordability. Bills in the area vary widely, with the 25th percentile at $1,687 and the 75th percentile at $3,332, showing that similar homes can face very different tax burdens depending on assessment and location.
Median Cortland Tax Bill
$2,391
Median Tompkins County Tax Bill
$6,956
Median New York Tax Bill
$5,420
Median United States Tax Bill
$2,400
Property Tax Bills Across Cortland, Tompkins County, New York
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Bill | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13045 | $891 | $1,687 | $2,391 | $3,332 | $3,748 |
Source: Ownwell
Don't miss the deadline to file a grievance!
Dates | |
|---|---|
| Appeal Deadline | May 26 |
Links | |
|---|---|
| Tompkins Assessment Review Commission | |
| Website | beacon.schneidercorp.com |