ANSWER
El Paso’s property taxes are comparatively high in the UTEP area: a 2025 UTEP Hunt Institute white paper says El Paso’s total property tax rate is 2.595740%, with an estimated $7,787.22 annual tax on a $300,000 home. Another UTEP Hunt Institute paper says El Paso’s effective property tax rate is 2.137%, and that Texas’ 2023 Proposition 4 raised the school-district homestead exemption to $100,000, with an extra $10,000 for homeowners age 65+ or with disabilities.
YOUR NEXT DECISION
Turn the answer into your next step
- Check the parcel’s appraisal record at the El Paso Central Appraisal District for the exact address.
- Confirm any homestead, over-65, or disability exemption status before estimating the bill.
- Use the parcel record’s assessed value and the local tax rates to estimate the annual tax.
HELP WITH YOUR NEXT STEP
Comparing homes and property taxes?
A local housing professional can help compare homes near University of Texas at El Paso and locate their property-tax histories. Confirm the tax treatment with the appraisal district or your tax adviser.
Compare homesWhat the taxes look like near UTEP
El Paso’s property tax burden is high compared with several peer Texas metros. The UTEP Hunt Institute’s 2025 comparison paper lists El Paso’s total tax rate at 2.595740%, with the rate made up of the county, city, school district, community college, and medical center levies.
- Estimated annual tax on a $300,000 home: $7,787.22.
- The same paper says El Paso’s effective property tax rate is 2.137% in national comparisons.
- For context, the paper lists Austin at 1.981814%, San Antonio at 2.079601%, Houston at 2.092362%, and Dallas at 2.235030%.
What lowers the bill
The tax bill depends on the appraised value and any exemptions that apply. UTEP’s Hunt Institute paper says Texas voters approved Proposition 4 in November 2023, increasing the mandatory school-district homestead exemption from $40,000 to $100,000, with an extra $10,000 for homeowners age 65 or older or with disabilities.
- The El Paso Central Appraisal District is the local entity that assesses property values in El Paso County, but it does not levy taxes.
- Your bill is shaped by the County, City, school district, and other local entities, not just one office.
- If you’re buying or already own a home near UTEP, the next check is the parcel record and appraisal district file for that exact address.
UTEP-specific tax status
UTEP itself is exempt from paying Texas sales tax on qualifying university purchases as a state institution of higher education, but that does not change private residential property taxes around campus.
- The exemption certificate says it is for UTEP business purposes only.
- It is a sales-tax exemption, not a property-tax exemption for nearby homes.
- The certificate notes it cannot be used for motor vehicles.
Sources
- Comparing Property Taxes: El Paso and Beyond ↗
- Texas Sales and Use Tax Exemption Certification ↗
- Texas Sales and Use Tax Exemption Certification ↗
- Home - Building research - UTEP Library Research Guides at The University of Texas at El Paso ↗
- https://www.utep.edu/purchasing-and-general-services/_files/docs/utep-tax-exemption-certificate.pdf ↗
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