Katy, TX Property Taxes: What Buyers Should Budget

Property taxes on a home in Katy, TX 77449 run about $2.30 per $100 of assessed value, roughly 2.3%, which is higher than the national average and a real line item in every monthly budget. The reason the number looks big is that Texas has no state income tax, so schools and local services are funded largely through property taxes. For a home in the price range of 2810 Roaring Oaks Ln, that works out to several thousand dollars a year, and the exact figure depends on the property's appraised value and which exemptions you claim.

Why the tax rate matters when you shop in Katy

Buyers moving from states with income taxes are often surprised by the property tax bill in Texas, and Katy specifically. The trade-off is real: no state income tax, but a Katy ISD school system that is one of the largest and most in-demand in the Houston region, and the tax rate reflects that investment. When you compare two homes at the same price, the one in a lower-tax district can save you hundreds of dollars a month, so the rate belongs in the comparison alongside square footage and schools.

The rate breakdown for Morton Ranch

Morton Ranch sits in unincorporated Harris County, which means there is no city of Katy property tax on these homes. The levy instead comes from four taxing entities. Per the rate breakdown published for Morton Ranch on HAR.com, the combined rate is about $2.30 per $100 of assessed value:

Rates are set each year by each entity and can change with voter-approved debt and budget decisions. Katy ISD publishes its current tax rate on katyisd.org, and the exact levy on a specific home is set by the Harris Central Appraisal District.

The homestead exemption changes the math

The rates above apply to the assessed value, but a primary residence gets exemptions that lower the bill. Under current Texas law, the first $100,000 of a home's value is exempt from school district maintenance and operations taxes, and Harris County applies its own homestead exemption to the county portion. You have to file for the exemption yourself through the Harris Central Appraisal District; a seller's exemption does not transfer to a new owner. For a home purchased mid-year, the exemption applies from the date of purchase, and your agent or title company can help you get the paperwork in on time.

Homeowners insurance is the second big cost

Harris County's average homeowners premium was about $3,325 a year in 2023, according to Texas Department of Insurance data cited by Rice University's Kinder Institute for Urban Research, and premiums have climbed sharply since. Katy-area quotes for a well-maintained one-story home like this typically run lower, roughly $1,400 to $2,400 a year, depending on coverage limits, deductibles, and claims history. Wind and hail exposure drives most of the difference, so it pays to shop the coverage, not just the price.

What that means for a $289,900 home in Morton Ranch

Put the two together for a home in the price range of 2810 Roaring Oaks Ln. On an appraisal of $289,900 with the standard homestead exemptions, property taxes in Morton Ranch typically land in the $5,500 to $6,500 range a year, and insurance adds roughly $1,500 to $2,000 more. That is about $600 to $700 a month on top of principal and interest, which is why agents and lenders in Katy always talk about the full payment, not just the mortgage. The home is listed at $289,900, below the July 2026 Katy median sale price of $385,000 from HAR.com, which leaves room in the budget for these line items. See the Katy market snapshot for the fuller picture.

These are estimates for planning, not a tax bill. Assessed values, exemptions, and insurance quotes vary by property and by year, so confirm the numbers for any specific address with the Harris Central Appraisal District and your insurance carrier.

Questions to ask before you make an offer

• What is the current appraised value versus the sale price? Taxes follow appraised value, and a sale can trigger a reappraisal.
• Which exemptions are already on the property? A seller's homestead exemption does not carry over; you will file your own.
• Are there MUD or HOA dues on top of the tax bill? MUD districts bill monthly for water and sewer service, and Morton Ranch has an HOA with its own dues.
• Does the home require flood insurance? Flood zone designations vary street by street, so ask for the property's specific designation before you commit.

Sources for this article, accessed October 5, 2026: Katy ISD tax rate page (katyisd.org), the Morton Ranch rate breakdown on HAR.com, and Texas Department of Insurance homeowners premium data via the Kinder Institute for Urban Research at Rice University. This article is informational and is not tax, legal, or insurance advice.