When looking to buy a home in El Paso, the home prices themselves are quite appealing.

You can easily find single-family homes in the $200,000 to $300,000 range. However, when calculating the mortgage, the monthly payments can be higher than expected.

This is due to Texas's property taxes.

Texas does not have a state income tax, so local governments and school districts rely heavily on property taxes. Therefore, if you own a home in El Paso, you cannot ignore the taxes paid to the school district.

A prominent example is the El Paso Independent School District, or EPISD.

The total property tax rate adopted by EPISD for 2024 was about $1.08 per $100 of assessed value. In simpler terms, that's approximately 1.08%. However, caution is advised here. This is not the total property tax rate paid in El Paso.

This only refers to the portion paid to the schools.

Actual homeowners also pay taxes from various taxing authorities applicable to their address, such as El Paso County, the City of El Paso, and hospital districts. Therefore, the actual total property tax burden is much higher than the school tax rate of 1.08%.

EPISD's operating budget for 2024 was approximately $547 million. This money is used for teacher and staff salaries, school operations, special education, and various student programs. This is why even homes that do not send children to school still pay school property taxes. Public schools are supported by property taxes from the entire community.

El Paso is not the only district with EPISD.

To the east, there is Socorro ISD, or SISD, and Ysleta ISD as well. To the northwest, there is Canutillo ISD. Each district has different tax rates and bond debts, so even homes with similar prices can have different actual taxes depending on the address.

So, when buying a home, you should not just look at the prices listed on Zillow or Realtor.com.

Even if there are two homes priced at $300,000, if one is in EPISD and the other in SISD, the school assignments and property tax structures can differ. Additionally, whether the property is inside or outside city limits can also have an impact.

Another important factor is the assessed value.

In Texas, property taxes are more influenced by the assessed value recognized by the taxing authority and any exemptions applied, rather than the price at which you bought the home years ago. If home prices continue to rise and assessed values increase, the tax burden can also grow unless the tax rate decreases.

However, for primary residences, there are programs like the homestead exemption and limits on assessed value increases, so simply multiplying the market price by the tax rate is not always accurate. Homeowners over 65 should also check for additional exemptions and protections related to school taxes.

If I were looking for a home in El Paso, the next thing I would check after the listing price is the actual property tax from the previous year.

You can search for the assessed value and exemption status at the El Paso Central Appraisal District, and check actual tax information through the El Paso County Tax Office.

It would be too late to be surprised by the annual property tax bill after being excited about a $250,000 home.

When buying a home in Texas, you need to calculate not just the home price, but also the mortgage, insurance, HOA fees, and property taxes to see how much you will actually be paying each month.

Especially in El Paso, the question of "which school district does this home belong to" is not just about deciding where your child will go to school.

It is also connected to how much tax you will be paying each year.