San Marcos, Caldwell County, Texas Property Taxes
Property Taxes in San Marcos, Texas
Median San Marcos, Texas effective property tax rate: 0.52%, significantly lower than the national median of 1.02%, and lower than the Texas state median of 1.48%.
Median San Marcos, Texas home value: $214,640
Median annual San Marcos, Texas tax bill: $674, $1,726 lower than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.
How are property taxes in Caldwell calculated?
Property taxes in San Marcos, Texas 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 San Marcos's property tax system, exemptions, and reduction opportunities can lead to significant savings. Regardless of where you live in San Marcos, knowing local tax details benefits homeowners and investors.
Last Updated April 13, 2026
San Marcos, Caldwell County, Texas Property Tax Bill Calculator
$100,000
$1,500,000
$3,000,000
Median Effective Tax Rate
0.52%
Estimate Property Tax Bill
$1,116
$1,036
How Does the San Marcos Property Tax Calculator Work?
Use this San Marcos property tax calculator to estimate your annual property tax bill. Enter your property's assessed value and our calculator applies San Marcos's median effective tax rate of 0.52% — based on actual property records in Caldwell 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 San Marcos'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 San Marcos: rates range from 0.52% in 78666 to 0.52% in 78666, 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 San Marcos.
About San Marcos Property Taxes
About Property Taxes in San Marcos, Caldwell, Texas
San Marcos’s median effective property tax rate of 0.52% is lower than the Texas state median of 1.48% and lower than the national median of 1.02%. This rate reflects the Caldwell County base levy combined with local school district levies and Municipal Utility Districts (MUDs) that vary by subdivision throughout the city.
Property tax rates are not uniform across San Marcos. Homeowners in ZIP code 78666 carry a median effective rate of 0.52%, while those in 78666 pay 0.52%. This spread — 0.00 percentage points across the same city — reflects how school district boundaries and local assessment districts are drawn across Caldwell County. Understanding which part of San Marcos you live in can make a meaningful difference to your annual tax bill.
San Marcos homeowners who believe their assessed value is too high can file a formal appeal with the local Appraisal District before the May 15, 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 San Marcos, Caldwell County, Texas
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 San Marcos's effective property tax rate to other cities in Texas and the median property tax rates in Texas 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 San Marcos Tax Rate
0.52%
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 Caldwell County Tax Rate
1.07%
Median Effective Texas Tax Rate
1.48%
Median Effective United States Tax Rate
1.02%
Property Tax Rates Across San Marcos, Caldwell County, Texas
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Rate | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 78666 | 0.19% | 0.32% | 0.52% | 0.58% | 0.70% |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Assessment Values Across San Marcos, Caldwell County, Texas
When examining property taxes in San Marcos, Texas, 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 Caldwell 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 Caldwell County, assessment notices are sent in April each year. They'll typically reach your mailbox by the middle of April.
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. By providing insights into how assessed and market values are determined, this section helps property owners navigate their tax responsibilities and understand the valuation processes affecting their property taxes in San Marcos.
For example, the median home price in San Marcos is $214,640, with tax bills ranging significantly across the county. 78666 has the highest median home price at $214,640.
Property Tax Assessment Values Across San Marcos, Caldwell County, Texas
Source: Ownwell
$101,970
$230,352
$358,734
Median San Marcos Market Value
$214,640
Median Caldwell County Market Value
$232,395
Median Texas Market Value
$258,851
Median United States Market Value
$235,294
Property Tax Assessment Values Across San Marcos, Caldwell County, Texas
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Home Price | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 78666 | $19,564 | $53,172 | $214,640 | $353,465 | $769,196 |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Bills Across San Marcos, Caldwell County, Texas
San Marcos Property Tax Bills
Property tax bills in San Marcos are based on the assessed value of a home and the local tax rates set by taxing authorities. When a property’s market value is determined, that value is used to calculate the tax bill, which can vary depending on the specific rates applied in Caldwell County and other local jurisdictions. The median home price in San Marcos is $214,640, and the median property tax bill is $674.00.
Several factors affect the final amount homeowners pay, including the home’s assessed value, exemptions, and the tax rates from different local entities. Bills can differ widely across properties, with the 25th percentile at $248 and the 75th percentile at $1,414, while the 90th percentile reaches $2,019. This means homeowners with higher assessed values or fewer exemptions may face much larger tax bills than neighbors with lower valuations.
Median San Marcos Tax Bill
$674
Median Caldwell County Tax Bill
$1,813
Median Texas Tax Bill
$3,441
Median United States Tax Bill
$2,400
Property Tax Bills Across San Marcos, Caldwell County, Texas
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Bill | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 78666 | $85 | $248 | $674 | $1,414 | $2,019 |
Source: Ownwell
Don't miss the deadline to protest!
Dates | |
|---|---|
| Appeal Deadline | May 15 |
| Tax Bill | |
| Issued | October 1 |
| Due Date #1 | November 30 |
| Due Date #2 | June 30 |
Links | |
|---|---|
| Caldwell Appraisal District | |
| Website | esearch.caldwellcad.org |