Houston and Harris County

Houston's best, and the fine print

Houston's best, checked in person, plus plain answers on Harris County money and legal questions.

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Updated November 7, 2026
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Houston by the numbers

$1.98 Combined 2025 rate per $100 (main units) $140,000 School homestead exemption April 30 Homestead filing deadline +$60,000 Extra school exemption at 65+ or disabled

Figures checked October 25, 2026 against state sources. Tap one for the full guide and citations.

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Homestead savings calculator

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Your tax bill, piece by piece

Harris County, the City, Houston ISD and the rest, with 2026 rates and 2025 for comparison.

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Homestead filing, step by step

How to file with HCAD, what to send and the deadlines.

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Latest guides

Written for people who live here, with the law and the numbers cited.

Living

Best Water Leak Sensors for Houston Homes (2026): Leak and Freeze Alerts

Water leak sensors for Houston homes, from Wi-Fi to long-range hub systems, chosen from maker specs and CPSC recall checks, plus what they can and can't do when Harris County floods.

Updated November 7, 2026 Living

Best Dehumidifiers for Houston Homes (2026): Keeping Humidity Under 50%

ENERGY STAR dehumidifiers sized for Houston's damp air, from a 35-pint room unit to a ducted whole-home system, with the EPA's humidity targets and what to do after a leak or flood.

Updated November 2, 2026 Money

Houston Property Tax Rate 2026: Every Piece of Your Bill, Explained

The 2026 property tax rates that make up a typical City of Houston homeowner's bill (Harris County, City of Houston, Houston ISD and more), with 2025 for comparison and a calculator for your homestead savings.

Updated November 2, 2026