Where to find your home's assessed value

Your home's assessed value is recorded by your county or city assessor's office, and you can find it by searching their public records online or visiting in person. Most assessor offices maintain searchable databases on their websites where you enter your address or parcel number and pull up the assessment instantly. If your county does not have an online system, you can call the assessor's office directly or visit their office during business hours — they will look it up for you and either read it over the phone or mail you a copy.

The assessor's office is a county government department, not a state or federal one, so you are always dealing with a local office. Search "[your county name] assessor" or "[your city name] assessor" to find the right website and phone number. Some counties call it the "assessor's office," others call it the "property appraiser" or "tax assessor." The name varies by location, but the function is the same.

Your assessed value is public record, so there is no fee to look it up and no restrictions on who can search. You do not need to own the property or have any special permission — anyone can find anyone else's assessed value.

Key Takeaways

  • Your county or city assessor's office maintains the assessed value, and most publish searchable databases on their websites where you can find it by address.
  • If your county does not have an online database, you can call the assessor's office or visit in person to request the information by phone or mail.
  • Assessed value is public record and free to look up — you do not need permission or a reason to search.
  • The assessed value is usually lower than the market value of your home, because assessors do not revalue every property every year.
  • Your assessed value determines your property tax bill, so if you believe it is wrong, you can file a challenge with your assessor's office.

What assessed value actually means

Assessed value is the dollar amount your local government assigns to your home for property tax purposes. It is not the same as what your home would sell for on the market, and it is not the same as what an appraiser would say it is worth for a mortgage. The assessor estimates value to calculate your property tax bill — the higher the assessed value, the higher your taxes.

Assessors do not revalue every home every year. Instead, they use a cycle that varies by county — some reassess every year, others every three to five years, and a few only when the property changes hands. This is why your assessed value can lag behind the actual market value of your home, especially in areas where prices are rising quickly. Your assessed value might also be higher than market value in areas where prices have fallen.

How to search the assessor's database online

Most county assessor websites have a search tool on their homepage. You will usually see a box labeled "Search Properties," "Property Search," or "Look Up Property." Enter your street address or your parcel number (a unique identifier the assessor assigns to your property) and click search. The results page will show your assessed value, the land value, the building value, the year of the last assessment, and sometimes the previous assessed value for comparison.

If you do not know your parcel number, the search tool will find it from your address. Some assessor websites also let you search by owner name, though address is faster and more reliable. If the search returns no results, double-check the spelling of your street name and make sure you are searching the right county — people sometimes search the wrong county by mistake.

Once you find your property record, look for a link or button that says "Full Details," "Property Record," or "Assessment Details." This will show you the breakdown: how much value the assessor assigned to the land itself, how much to the building, and sometimes how much to outbuildings or other improvements. This breakdown matters if you ever challenge the assessment, because you might dispute one part while accepting another.

What to do if your county does not have an online database

Some smaller counties and rural areas do not maintain searchable online databases. In that case, call the assessor's office during business hours and give them your address. They will look up your assessed value in their system and read it to you over the phone. Ask them to spell out the number clearly and to confirm your address matches their records, because mistakes do happen.

If you want a written copy for your records — which is useful if you are challenging the assessment or refinancing your home — ask the assessor's office to mail it to you. There is usually no charge, though some offices may ask you to pick it up in person or may charge a small fee for mailing. Ask about their process when you call.

You can also visit the assessor's office in person during business hours. Bring your address or parcel number if you have it. The staff will pull up your record on their computer and show you the assessed value right there. This is the slowest route if you live far from the office, but it is an option if you prefer to handle it face-to-face.

Understanding the difference between assessed value and market value

Market value is what your home would actually sell for if you listed it today. Assessed value is what the government says it is worth for tax purposes, and the two are often different. In a rising market, assessed value usually lags behind market value because the assessor has not revalued the property recently. In a falling market, assessed value might be higher than what the home would actually sell for.

This gap matters because it affects your property taxes, but it does not affect what you can sell your home for. If your assessed value is $250,000 but your home would sell for $350,000, your taxes are based on the lower number — which is good for you. If the opposite is true, you may have grounds to challenge the assessment.

How to challenge an assessed value you believe is wrong

If you think your assessed value is too high, you can file a challenge with your assessor's office. The process and deadlines vary by county, so start by calling the assessor's office and asking about their appeal or protest procedure. They will tell you the deadline (usually 30 to 60 days after the assessment is mailed to you), what form to file, and what evidence to submit.

Common reasons to challenge an assessment include: the assessor made a factual error (wrong square footage, wrong number of bedrooms, or the property is listed as having a pool when it does not); your home is in worse condition than the assessor's estimate; or your assessed value is significantly higher than similar homes in your area. Bring documentation: recent appraisals, photos of damage or needed repairs, or a list of comparable homes with their assessed values.

If you challenge the assessment, the assessor's office will review your evidence and either uphold the original value, lower it, or in rare cases raise it. If you disagree with their decision, most counties allow a second appeal to a county board or hearing officer. Ask the assessor's office about this process when you file your challenge.

Why your assessed value matters

Your assessed value is the foundation of your property tax bill. Your local government takes the assessed value, applies the tax rate for your area (expressed as a percentage or as dollars per $1,000 of value), and calculates what you owe. If your assessed value is $300,000 and your tax rate is 1.2%, your annual property tax is $3,600. A higher assessed value means higher taxes.

Your assessed value also matters if you are refinancing your home, because the lender may order an appraisal and compare it to the assessed value. A large gap between the two can raise questions, though it does not usually prevent the refinance. If you are selling, the assessed value does not affect the sale price, but it does affect the buyer's future property taxes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is assessed value the same as appraised value?

No. Appraised value is what a licensed appraiser says your home is worth, usually for a mortgage or refinance. Assessed value is what the government says it is worth for tax purposes. Appraisals are done on demand and can be more current, while assessed values are updated on a schedule set by the county.

Can I find my home's assessed value on Zillow or other real estate websites?

Some real estate websites display assessed values alongside their own estimates, but the official source is always your county assessor's office. The assessor's database is the legal record, so if you need the value for a legal or financial purpose, get it directly from the assessor rather than relying on a third-party website.

What if I think the assessor made a mistake on my property record?

Call the assessor's office and describe the error — for example, the square footage is wrong, or the property is listed as having a garage when it does not. If it is a factual error, the assessor will usually correct it without requiring a formal appeal. If the assessor disagrees that it is an error, you can file a challenge.

How often does the assessed value change?

That depends on your county's reassessment cycle. Some counties reassess every year, others every three to five years, and a few only when the property is sold. Call your assessor's office to find out your county's schedule and when your property was last assessed.

Will finding my assessed value affect my property taxes?

No. Looking up your assessed value does not change it. Your taxes are based on the assessed value the assessor has on file, regardless of whether you look it up or not. The only way to change your assessed value is to file a formal challenge if you believe it is wrong.