Every taxing unit on a Harlingen bill
Your bill adds up one line per taxing unit. These are the units on the 2025 appraisal roll for homes inside Harlingen city limits, with Harlingen CISD as the school district. Rates are dollars per $100 of taxable value.
| Taxing unit | M&O 2025 | I&S 2025 | 2025 rateadopted | 2026 rateadopted, where confirmed | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cameron CountyCounty | 0.387046 | 0.037347 | 0.424393 | 0.424393 | Cameron CAD 2025 rates, Cameron CAD 2025 roll, Cameron CAD 2026 adopted rates |
| South Texas ISD (magnet district)School district (countywide) | 0.049200 | 0.000000 | 0.049200 | 0.049200 | Cameron CAD 2025 rates, Cameron CAD 2026 adopted rates |
| City of HarlingenCity | 0.458038 | 0.068022 | 0.526060 | 0.526060 | Cameron CAD 2025 rates, Comptroller 2025 city file, Cameron CAD 2025 roll, Cameron CAD 2026 adopted rates |
| Port of Harlingen AuthorityNavigation district | 0.019110 | 0.000000 | 0.019110 | 0.020225 | Cameron CAD 2025 rates, Comptroller 2025 special district file, Cameron CAD 2025 roll, Cameron CAD 2026 adopted rates |
| Harlingen CISDSchool district | 0.755200 | 0.163000 | 0.918200 | 0.942700 | Cameron CAD 2025 rates, Comptroller 2025 school file, Cameron CAD 2025 roll, Cameron CAD 2026 adopted rates |
| Combined (Harlingen CISD) | 1.936963 | 1.962578 |
The Comptroller's 2025 county file adds a Cameron County road and bridge rate of 0.049765; Cameron CAD's adopted-rate sheets and every sampled 2025 roll record show 0.424393 only, which is used here.
What makes up the Harlingen rate
Harlingen CISD is the biggest line on a Harlingen bill: 0.9427 of the 1.9626 per $100, or 48% of the 2026 total. The countywide units (Cameron County and South Texas ISD (magnet district)) add 0.4736.
The City of Harlingen's own 2026 rate is 0.52606, the second lowest of the 6 Cameron County city rates on this site (from 0.262159 to 0.7800).
Units that tax this part of the county: Port of Harlingen Authority (0.020225): Harlingen (all sampled) and some San Benito parcels.
From 2025 to 2026 the combined rate went from 1.9370 to 1.9626 (+0.0256). Changes by unit: Harlingen CISD 0.9182 to 0.9427; Port of Harlingen Authority 0.01911 to 0.020225.
At 2025 rates (the latest year with every city's rate), Harlingen's combined 1.9370 is the 2nd lowest of the 20 Valley cities on this site and the 2nd lowest of the 6 in Cameron County.
Which school district?
Harlingen city limits cross more than one school district, and the school district is the biggest line on the bill. About 98.9% of the homes are in Harlingen CISD, so the tables on this page default to it. Your district depends on your exact address. Look it up on the Cameron Appraisal District property search.
| School district | Share of homes in city limits (2020) | Combined rate 2025 | Combined rate 2026 | Homestead tax at $300,000 (2026) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harlingen CISD | about 98.9% | 1.9370 | 1.9626 | $4,566 |
| La Feria ISD | about 0.7% | 2.0494 | 2.0491 | $4,704 |
On a $300,000 homestead the Harlingen CISD part of Harlingen pays about $4,566 a year, and the La Feria ISD part about $4,704, a difference of $138.
Also inside city limits, each with under 0.5% of the homes: San Benito CISD (combined 2.0694 in 2025), Rio Hondo ISD (combined 2.3607 in 2025). The estimator below includes them.
Of the 28,539 housing units the 2020 Census counted inside Harlingen city limits, 28,219 in Harlingen CISD, 203 in La Feria ISD, 101 in San Benito CISD and 16 in Rio Hondo ISD.
Units that tax only some homes
Cameron County Drainage District #5 (2026 rate 0.142783, 2025 rate 0.142783) was on 11 of the 35 sampled homes inside city limits. Some south Harlingen subdivisions (for example Paso Real) pay San Benito Drainage District #3 (2026 rate 0.147819, 2025 rate 0.137671) instead. A public improvement district (PID) in a newer subdivision bills an assessment, not a tax rate; the title company can tell you if a lot has one.
A Harlingen mailing address can sit outside city limits, where there is no city tax and an emergency services district may tax instead. Your appraisal district record lists every unit on your home.
Estimate your Harlingen property tax
Annual tax only. Pick your school district, enter the appraised value from your notice, and choose your exemptions.
The percentage is each district's share of the city's homes (2020 Census). Your exact district depends on your address.
Estimated property tax
$4,566 a year
Estimated 2026 property tax for Harlingen, $300,000 taxable value before exemptions, combined rate 1.962578 per $100.
| Taxing unit | Rate per $100 | Taxable value | Tax |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cameron County | 0.424393 | $300,000 | $1,273 |
| South Texas ISD (magnet district) | 0.049200 | $295,000 | $145 |
| City of Harlingen | 0.526060 | $300,000 | $1,578 |
| Port of Harlingen Authority | 0.020225 | $300,000 | $61 |
| Harlingen CISD | 0.942700 | $160,000 | $1,508 |
| Total (estimate) | 1.962578 | $4,566 |
Estimate. Local-option exemptions and the 65+ school tax ceiling can lower it; your tax office has your exact bill.
What a Harlingen home pays at $200,000, $300,000 and $400,000
| Appraised value | No exemptions | Homestead | Homestead, 65 or older |
|---|---|---|---|
| $200,000 | $3,925 | $2,603 | $2,037 |
| $300,000 | $5,888 | $4,566 | $4,000 |
| $400,000 | $7,850 | $6,528 | $5,962 |
What the exemptions are worth in Harlingen
| Exemption | Saves a year | Tax left |
|---|---|---|
| Homestead ($140,000 off Harlingen CISD, $5,000 off South Texas ISD) | $1,322 | $4,566 |
| Add 65 or older, or disabled ($60,000 more off Harlingen CISD) | $566 | $4,000 |
| Add a veteran rating of 70% or more ($12,000 off every unit) | $236 | $4,330 |
| Veteran with a 100% rating or individual unemployability | $4,566 | $0 |
Rules and forms: how each exemption works, the homestead guide and the disabled veteran guide.
New construction in Harlingen
New-home communities in Harlingen on this site, with the tax stack each community page uses (school district and combined rate). Community pages use 2025 adopted rates; Cameron County's 2026 adopted rates are in the table above.
- Allison Estates, U R Home Texas: Harlingen CISD, 1.9370 per $100
- Allison Estates, Hakes Brothers: Harlingen CISD, 1.9370 per $100
- Los Arroyos, Esperanza Homes: Harlingen CISD, 1.9370 per $100
- Ashwood Estates, U R Home Texas: Harlingen CISD, 2.0797 per $100
- Harlingen Lakes, Zarate Homes & Designs: Harlingen CISD, 2.0797 per $100
- Oak Ranch, Zarate Homes & Designs: Harlingen CISD, 2.0797 per $100
- Paloma Ranch, U R Home Texas: Harlingen CISD, 2.0797 per $100
- Paloma Ranch, Hakes Brothers: Harlingen CISD, 2.0797 per $100
- Sun Country Phase 3, U R Home Texas: Harlingen CISD, 2.0797 per $100
- Woodland Oaks Phase 3, U R Home Texas: Harlingen CISD, 2.0797 per $100
- Paso Real, Esperanza Homes: San Benito CISD, 2.2070 per $100
Protest deadline
Who sends the bill, and when it is due
The Cameron County Tax Assessor-Collector, (956) 544-0800, collects for every taxing unit on these pages. Your statement lists each tax. Online: cameroncountytx.gov.
2026 bills go out in October and November 2026 and are on time if paid by Monday, Feb. 1, 2027, because Jan. 31 falls on a Sunday (Tax Code 31.02, 1.06). Penalties and installment plans.
Nearby cities
Questions
How much are property taxes on a $300,000 house in Harlingen?
About $5,888 a year with no exemptions, $4,566 with a homestead exemption and $4,000 at 65 or older (2026 rates, Harlingen CISD).
What is the property tax rate in Harlingen, TX?
1.9626 per $100 (1.96%) for most homes in 2026: 5 taxing units (2025: 1.9370).
Which school district am I in?
Most homes inside Harlingen city limits (about 98.9%) are in Harlingen CISD. Others are in La Feria ISD (about 0.7%), San Benito CISD (under 0.5%), Rio Hondo ISD (under 0.5%). Check your address on the Cameron Appraisal District property search.
When and where do I pay Harlingen property taxes?
The Cameron County Tax Assessor-Collector, (956) 544-0800, collects for every taxing unit on these pages. Your statement lists each tax. 2026 bills are on time if paid by Monday, Feb. 1, 2027, because Jan. 31 is a Sunday.
Next steps
- Living in Harlingen: the Harlingen community guide.
- Building or buying new: new construction in Harlingen (each community page shows its own tax stack).
- Countywide view: Cameron County property tax rates, and all 20 Valley cities compared.
- Mortgage and affordability math: calculators.
From Amy
Protesting your home's value? I can pull recent sales of comparable homes near yours from the MLS for your hearing. I help with single-family homes only, not farms, ranches, duplexes, multifamily or commercial property, and I do not file protests for you. Book a call. I work in English and Spanish.
Sources and method
Units: 35 sampled Cameron Appraisal District 2025 roll records for homes inside Harlingen city limits (sampled Oct 14, 2026). Rates: checked Oct 16, 2026 against the sources below. Full method and data file.