When buyers compare homes in Northern Virginia, they usually focus on price, schools, and commute — and overlook the line item that quietly shapes their monthly payment for as long as they own the home: property taxes. The same $800,000 house can cost you roughly $200 more per month in one county than another, purely because of where the boundary lines fall. Here is how Fairfax, Loudoun, and Arlington stack up in 2026, and what it means for your budget.
How Property Taxes Work in Northern Virginia
Virginia localities tax real estate based on assessed value. Each county assesses your home as of January 1 every year, then applies its tax rate per $100 of assessed value. If your home is assessed at $800,000 and the rate is $1.00 per $100, your annual bill is $8,000. Most homeowners never write that check directly — lenders typically collect one-twelfth of the bill with each mortgage payment and pay the county from escrow. That is exactly why the rate matters when you are shopping for a home: it is baked into the monthly payment you qualify for.
2026 Tax Rates: Fairfax vs. Loudoun vs. Arlington
Here are the base real estate tax rates for 2026:
- Fairfax County: $1.1225 per $100 of assessed value. On an $800,000 home, that is about $8,980 per year. Some areas also pay small additional levies for stormwater or special service districts.
- Arlington County: $1.053 per $100, after the County Board approved a 2-cent increase this spring. An $800,000 home runs about $8,424 per year.
- Loudoun County: $0.805 per $100 — the lowest of the three, and a rate that has come down meaningfully over the past several years. That same $800,000 home costs about $6,440 per year.
The spread is real money. Between Fairfax and Loudoun, the difference on an $800,000 home is roughly $2,540 a year — about $212 a month. Over a ten-year ownership horizon, that is more than $25,000, before any assessment growth.
What the Rate Doesn’t Tell You
A lower rate does not automatically mean a lower bill. Assessments matter just as much: a fast-appreciating neighborhood can see its tax bill climb even in a year when the county trims the rate. And a few local wrinkles catch buyers off guard:
- Town taxes: If you buy inside an incorporated town — Vienna or Herndon in Fairfax County, Leesburg in Loudoun — you pay a town real estate tax on top of the county rate, in exchange for town services.
- Special tax districts: Parts of Fairfax and Loudoun pay extra levies for Metro’s Silver Line corridor and Route 28 improvements. Communities like Ashburn are unincorporated, so there is no town tax, but always check whether a listing sits in a special district.
- Tax relief programs: All three counties offer real estate tax relief for qualifying seniors and residents with disabilities — worth investigating if you or a family member qualifies.
How to Factor Taxes Into Your Home Search
When you compare two homes at the same list price in different counties, run the full monthly payment, not just principal and interest. A Loudoun home at $825,000 can carry a lower all-in payment than a Fairfax home at $800,000. If you already own here, it is also worth checking whether your assessment reflects reality — if comparable sales suggest your home is assessed too high, every county has an appeal process, and a successful appeal lowers your bill. Start by checking what your home is actually worth today.
Property taxes are one of a dozen location-specific factors I walk clients through when we compare neighborhoods — alongside schools, commute, HOA fees, and resale trends. If you are weighing Fairfax against Loudoun or Arlington and want a clear-eyed comparison for your specific budget, book a free consultation or call me at (571) 429-7477. I am happy to run the numbers with you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Northern Virginia county has the lowest property tax rate in 2026?
Loudoun County, at $0.805 per $100 of assessed value — well below Arlington ($1.053) and Fairfax County ($1.1225). On an $800,000 home, Loudoun’s bill is roughly $2,500 per year less than Fairfax County’s.
How are property taxes calculated in Northern Virginia?
Each county assesses your home’s value as of January 1, then multiplies that assessment by the local rate per $100 of value. An $800,000 assessment in Fairfax County at $1.1225 per $100 works out to about $8,980 per year, usually collected monthly through your mortgage escrow.
Do I pay extra taxes if I live in a town like Vienna or Leesburg?
Yes. Incorporated towns such as Vienna and Herndon in Fairfax County and Leesburg in Loudoun County levy their own real estate tax on top of the county rate. Unincorporated communities like Ashburn, McLean, and Reston pay only the county rate plus any special district levies.
Can I appeal my property tax assessment in Northern Virginia?
Yes. Fairfax, Loudoun, and Arlington all allow homeowners to appeal, first through an administrative review with the assessor and then to the Board of Equalization. Appeals are worth pursuing when recent comparable sales show your assessment is higher than market value.
When are property taxes due in Fairfax, Loudoun, and Arlington?
All three counties bill in two installments: Fairfax County payments are due July 28 and December 5, Loudoun County’s are due June 5 and December 5, and Arlington’s are due June 15 and October 5. If you have a mortgage escrow, your lender handles the payments for you.
