78879 Property Tax Rate

Property owners in ZIP code 78879 (Rio Frio, Texas) pay a median of $4,447/year in property taxes on homes valued at $1,086,500. This translates to an effective tax rate of 0.41%, which is 70% below the Texas state average of 1.35%.

The monthly property tax burden for a median-valued home in 78879 is approximately $371, which factors into escrow payments on mortgages. This ZIP code is located within Real County. This is $1,316 more than the Texas average of $3,131/year.

Compared to similar ZIP codes in Texas, 78879 has higher property taxes. ZIP codes with similar effective rates include 75450 (0.41%) and 77585 (0.42%).

In Rio Frio, property taxes represent approximately 4.7% of the median household income of $95,385, providing context for the relative tax burden on homeowners in this area.

Texas law caps annual appraisal increases at 10% for homestead properties, but this protection only applies once you file a Homestead Exemption — submit your application to the Real County Appraisal District by April 30 of the year following your purchase. The exemption removes a portion of assessed value from school and county taxes, providing tax relief in a county with a 0.98% effective rate. File your Homestead Exemption claim with the Real County Appraisal District immediately after closing to lock in this protection for future assessment cycles.