Northern Virginia home buyers and owners often ask about local property tax rates and how those taxes support the community. In this comprehensive guide, we break down the 2025 property tax rates for key Northern Virginia localities where MMK Realty is most active – Fairfax County, Arlington County, the City of Alexandria, Loudoun County, and Prince William County (including Gainesville and Haymarket) – and explain recent changes.
How Northern Virginia Property Taxes Work
Calculation Method
In Virginia, property taxes are expressed as an annual rate per $100 of a property's assessed value. For example, a tax rate of $1.00 per $100 equates to 1% of the home's value. If your home is assessed at $500,000, a $1.00 rate means a $5,000 tax bill for the year.
Each locality sets its own rate annually as part of its budget process. Assessments (the taxable value of your property) are typically updated each year by the local government, reflecting market values. If your assessment increases, your tax bill can rise even if the tax rate stays the same, which localities must publicly disclose as an "effective tax increase."
Conversely, local officials may adjust (lower or raise) the rate to offset assessment changes or to meet budget needs.
What Property Taxes Fund
Your property taxes go directly to your city or county's budget, funding the public services that keep our communities strong. The largest share usually supports public schools, often around half of the county/city budget. For instance, Prince William County directs about 57.23% of its general fund revenues to public schools.
Property taxes also pay for:
- Public safety (police, fire, and emergency medical services)
- Transportation and infrastructure (road maintenance, public transit, traffic improvements)
- Parks and recreation
- Libraries
- Other vital services
Some localities earmark portions of the tax for specific uses – Alexandria, for example, dedicates 1¢ of its tax rate to affordable housing and about 2.2¢ to a transportation fund. In Fairfax County, commercial properties pay an extra levy of $0.125 per $100 for transportation projects (the "Commercial Transportation Tax District"), and there are small special district taxes in areas like Tysons and Reston for local improvements.
Generally, residential taxpayers pay the base county/city rate, plus any applicable district fees (for example, Prince William County adds a uniform countywide Fire & Rescue levy of $0.072 per $100 to fund fire and EMT services).
Tax Relief Programs
Northern Virginia localities also offer tax relief to certain homeowners:
- Military Veterans: Virginia law provides a full property tax exemption for 100% permanently disabled military veterans and their surviving spouses on their primary residence
- Seniors & People with Disabilities: Most counties and cities have programs to defer or reduce taxes for seniors and people with disabilities
- Active-Duty Military: Some localities offer relief for active-duty military personnel
These programs ensure that military families and other eligible residents can find some financial relief while owning a home in our area. (If you think you might qualify, check your locality's tax relief department – we provide links below.)
2025 Property Tax Rates: Quick Comparison
The table below summarizes the real estate tax rates for 2025 in each Northern Virginia locality, alongside the 2024 rates for reference and notes on changes. All rates are per $100 of assessed value (annual).
| Locality | 2025 Tax Rate (per $100) | 2024 Tax Rate (per $100) | Change for 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fairfax County | $1.14 | $1.125 | ↑ $0.015 (1.5¢ increase) |
| Arlington County | $1.033 | $1.033 | No change (rate flat) |
| City of Alexandria | $1.135 | $1.110 | ↑ $0.025 (2.5¢ increase) |
| Loudoun County | $0.805 | $0.865 | ↓ $0.060 (6¢ decrease) |
| Prince William County (Gainesville/Haymarket) | $0.920 (+ $0.072 Fire Levy) | $0.920 (+ $0.072 Fire) | No change (rate flat; fire levy flat) |
Note: All figures above are the base real estate tax rates set by the county or city government. Prince William County's rate does not include the additional fire levy (shown separately), which brings the effective rate to $0.992 for most properties in PWC. In Haymarket, which is an incorporated town within Prince William County, residents pay the county rate (and fire levy) plus a small town tax – the Town of Haymarket had its own real estate tax of $0.105 per $100 in 2024. Gainesville is an unincorporated area, so Gainesville homeowners pay only the Prince William County taxes.
Detailed Property Tax Information by Locality
Fairfax County – 2025 Property Tax Rate
2025 Rate: $1.14 per $100 of assessed value (base real estate tax). This means a $500,000 home would owe $5,700 in county real estate taxes (before any district add-ons).
Recent Changes: Fairfax County's Board of Supervisors increased the rate by 1.5 cents for 2025, up from $1.125 in 2024. This change was part of the FY2026 budget adopted in May 2025 to help fund county services, notably an increase in support for Fairfax County Public Schools and other priorities.
The rate hike, though modest, comes alongside rising home assessments (average residential assessments went up about 6.6% in 2025), so many homeowners will see higher tax bills.
The 1.5¢ increase is Fairfax County's first rate change in a couple of years. In 2023 and 2024 the rate had actually been cut or held steady (the 2023 rate was $1.095, then $1.125 in 2024). By raising it to $1.14, the county projects an extra ~$50 million in revenue.
What It Funds: Fairfax property taxes feed into the county's general fund. A large portion (over 50%) supports Fairfax County Public Schools, and the rest funds county services such as the police and sheriff's departments, fire and rescue, parks, libraries, and transportation.
Notably, Fairfax levies additional special district taxes in certain areas and on commercial properties: for example, commercial and industrial properties pay an extra $0.125 per $100 for transportation projects under the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority. There are also small add-on taxes in designated districts (Tysons, Reston, and others) mostly affecting commercial or new development areas – typical homeowners outside those areas only pay the base $1.14 rate.
Tax Relief: Fairfax offers tax relief programs for seniors, people with disabilities, and disabled veterans (the latter may qualify for full exemption).
Official Tax Resources – Fairfax: You can find more information on Fairfax County's Real Estate Taxes here, and the latest budget documents on the county website.
Arlington County – 2025 Property Tax Rate
2025 Rate: $1.033 per $100 of assessed value. For an Arlington home assessed at $800,000, the annual county tax would be about $8,264.
Recent Changes: Arlington County did not change its property tax rate for 2025, keeping it the same as the 2024 rate ($1.033). Early in the year, the County Board considered advertising a possible increase (up to $1.043) to give themselves flexibility, but after public hearings they opted to hold the rate steady at $1.033.
This marks the fifth consecutive year without a base rate increase – the last increase was in 2020, and since then the rate has remained at just over one dollar per $100.
Although the rate is unchanged, many Arlington homeowners will still pay more in 2025 due to rising assessments (residential property values rose about 3.7% on average for 2025). By keeping the rate flat, the County Board aimed to limit tax burden growth while still funding priorities.
In the FY2026 budget (which covers the second half of calendar 2025), Arlington did increase the meals tax (from 4% to 5%) to raise revenue instead of relying solely on real estate taxes.
What It Funds: Arlington's property tax, like others, feeds the general fund. Roughly 47% of Arlington's general fund is transferred to Arlington Public Schools each year (to operate the county's public schools). The remainder supports county services: police, fire/EMS, parks and recreation, road maintenance, human services, etc.
Arlington is an urban county with no separate cities within it, so this single rate covers all local services.
Tax Relief: Arlington offers real estate tax relief programs for senior citizens, people with permanent disabilities, and military veterans (in line with state law, fully disabled veterans and surviving spouses of service members killed in action are exempt from real estate tax on their primary home).
The county's Real Estate Taxes and Payments page on the official Arlington website provides details on payment due dates (Arlington splits payments into two installments, due in June and October) and available relief.
Official Tax Resources – Arlington: For more information, see the Arlington County Real Estate Taxes page or Arlington's FY2026 Budget press release. Arlington's Department of Real Estate Assessments also provides tools to look up your assessment and estimate taxes.
City of Alexandria – 2025 Property Tax Rate
2025 Rate: $1.135 per $100 of assessed value. In the City of Alexandria, a home assessed at $600,000 would owe $6,810 in real estate taxes for the year.
Recent Changes: The Alexandria City Council approved a 2.5-cent increase in the real estate tax rate as part of the FY2025 budget (effective July 1, 2024). This raised the rate from $1.110 in 2024 to $1.135 in 2025.
Alexandria's increase was driven by funding needs for schools, capital improvements, and other city priorities. According to budget reports, the city faced rising costs and a desire to invest in areas like teacher pay, affordable housing, and infrastructure – the rate increase helped address a funding gap in those areas.
The 2.5¢ hike is notable because Alexandria had kept its property tax rate at $1.11 for a few years prior. With property values in Alexandria increasing modestly (~2.6% overall for 2025), the higher rate means the average homeowner's bill went up.
City officials estimated the average single-family homeowner will pay about $483 more in 2025 than in the previous year (and the average condo owner about $285 more). This reflects both the rate increase and assessment increases.
The adopted budget for FY2025 (Calendar Year 2024-25) was about $926.4 million, a 4.8% increase in spending. The extra revenue from the rate bump was largely allocated to Alexandria City Public Schools (which saw a $14.3 million funding increase) and capital needs. Alexandria also increased its stormwater utility fee by 5% to fund flood mitigation projects, but that is a separate fee on the tax bill (not part of the $1.135 tax rate).
What It Funds: As an independent city, Alexandria provides all local services to its residents. Public schools take a significant portion of the budget (the city transfers funds to the Alexandria City Public Schools). The tax revenue also supports public safety (Alexandria's police, fire, EMS), transportation (including contributions to Metro transit and city transportation projects – note that 2.2 cents of the real estate tax is dedicated to the city's transportation improvement fund), parks and recreation, libraries, and economic development programs.
Alexandria has a policy dedicating 1 cent of the real estate tax specifically to its Affordable Housing Fund to support housing affordability.
Tax Relief: Alexandria offers real estate tax relief and exemptions for elderly or disabled residents and adheres to Virginia's tax exemptions for disabled veterans and surviving spouses.
Official Tax Resources – Alexandria: Visit the City of Alexandria Tax Rates page for the latest rates and fees, or see Alexandria's Finance Department site for details on real estate tax billing, relief programs, and how to pay (Alexandria bills semi-annually, with payments due in June and November).
Loudoun County – 2025 Property Tax Rate
2025 Rate: $0.805 per $100 of assessed value. Loudoun County significantly reduced its real estate tax rate for 2025, setting it at 80.5 cents, down from $0.865 in 2024.
Recent Changes: This 6-cent cut was possible due to Loudoun's rapidly growing tax base – Loudoun saw a major jump in property values (overall taxable real estate value grew by 19.5% for 2025), fueled in part by a booming commercial sector (like data centers) and continued residential growth.
By cutting the rate, the Loudoun Board of Supervisors aimed to counteract rising assessments and give homeowners a modest break. Indeed, at the new rate, the average Loudoun homeowner's tax bill in 2025 is expected to be slightly lower than in 2024 (they projected the average bill would drop from $6,337 to about $6,280) despite rising home values, thanks to the rate decrease.
The 2025 cut continues a trend of Loudoun lowering taxes as property values rise. In the early 2020s, Loudoun's tax rate was closer to $1.045 (in 2020) and it has been systematically reduced each year (to $0.98, then $0.945, then $0.89, etc., reaching $0.865 in 2024, and now $0.805) to keep tax bills manageable.
It's worth noting Loudoun also levies some special district taxes: for example, properties in the Route 28 Highway Improvement District pay an additional $0.12 per $100, and those in designated Metro rail service districts pay an extra $0.20 per $100. However, these primarily affect commercial properties or specific areas. The typical homeowner in Loudoun (outside those districts) pays just the base $0.805 rate.
What It Funds: Loudoun's property tax is the main revenue for county services. Loudoun County has one of the fastest-growing school systems in Virginia, and a substantial portion of tax revenue goes to Loudoun County Public Schools. The county's FY2026 adopted budget (covering tax year 2025) totals about $4.7 billion for county and schools combined.
With the booming data center industry, Loudoun has been able to invest in infrastructure and still reduce the burden on homeowners. Besides schools, Loudoun's budget funds law enforcement (Sheriff's Office), fire and rescue, parks and libraries, and transportation projects (Loudoun helps fund Metro's Silver Line and local road improvements, including using the dedicated Route 28 tax for that corridor).
Tax Relief: Loudoun offers real estate tax relief for residents who are 65+ or permanently disabled, subject to income and asset limits, and of course follows state law on exempting 100% disabled veterans' primary residences from taxation. The Loudoun County Commissioner of the Revenue's Office handles assessments and tax relief applications.
Official Tax Resources – Loudoun: See the Loudoun County Property Tax Rates page for current real estate and personal property tax rates, and Loudoun's FY2025 Budget documents for context on how tax dollars are allocated.
Prince William County (Gainesville & Haymarket areas) – 2025 Property Tax Rate
2025 Rate: $0.920 per $100 of assessed value (county general tax). Prince William County kept its base real estate tax rate unchanged at 92¢ for 2025, the same as 2024.
In addition to the base rate, Prince William continues to levy a Fire & Rescue tax of $0.072 per $100 on all properties, which also remains unchanged. When combined, the effective county rate for most homeowners is $0.992 per $100 of assessed value.
For example, a house in Gainesville assessed at $400,000 would incur $3,680 in base county tax, plus about $288 in the fire levy, for a total of ~$3,968 in county taxes for the year.
Recent Changes: Prince William County's decision to hold the tax rate flat comes after a notable cut last year. In 2024, the Board of County Supervisors reduced the base rate from $0.966 to $0.920 to mitigate rising assessments. That 4.6¢ cut kept the average tax bill increase to only a few dollars in 2024.
For 2025, with assessments up again (the county's overall real estate values rose around 6.5%), keeping the rate at 0.920 means the average homeowner will see a tax increase in proportion to their assessment increase. In fact, the county advertised that maintaining $0.920 would result in an effective 6.5% tax increase over the revenue-neutral rate – the average residential bill is expected to jump about $276, reaching roughly $5,165.
Even so, PWC's 2025 rate is one of the lower ones in Northern Virginia, reflecting efforts to balance budget needs with affordability. The separate Fire/Rescue levy of 7.2¢ has been consistent for years and strictly funds fire and emergency services. Prince William also charges a small stormwater management fee and other special fees, but no additional special tax districts apply in Gainesville or Haymarket aside from town taxes.
Gainesville and Haymarket: Gainesville is an area in the western part of Prince William County (near Haymarket) – it is not an incorporated town, so Gainesville homeowners pay only the Prince William County tax rates discussed above.
Haymarket, on the other hand, is an incorporated Town within Prince William County. If you live inside the Town of Haymarket, you pay both the county taxes (base + fire levy) and a town real estate tax. Haymarket's town council sets its own rate each year to fund town services like the Haymarket Police Department and local administration. In 2024, the Town of Haymarket's property tax was $0.105 per $100. This town tax is on top of the county taxes.
However, Prince William County provides many services to town residents as well (like schools and fire/rescue), so town taxes are relatively low. If you're buying in Haymarket, be aware of that additional tax line item on your bill.
For most Haymarket homeowners in 2025, the combined tax rate would roughly be $0.920 + $0.072 + ~$0.105 = about $1.097 per $100. By contrast, Gainesville area homes outside town limits just pay $0.992 per $100 (county + fire levy).
What It Funds: Prince William County's general real estate tax supports the county's $1.86 billion general fund (FY2025). By policy, over 57% of PWC's general fund revenue goes to Prince William County Public Schools – one of the highest shares in the region – to operate local schools.
The rest funds county government operations: police, sheriff, fire & rescue (the fire levy specifically bolsters the Fire and Rescue budget), parks and libraries, public health, and transportation projects. Prince William has seen rapid growth and needs for new schools, roads, and services, which is why even with a steady tax rate, tax revenues have increased.
The county's FY2026 budget also planned for future tax relief in other areas (like a personal property tax reduction on cars in 2026), highlighting a focus on managing the tax burden.
Tax Relief: Prince William offers relief for elderly and disabled homeowners (tax deferral or exemption programs) and, in alignment with state law, 100% exemption for primary residences of totally disabled veterans and their surviving spouses.
Active-duty military personnel residing in Prince William can also find information on tax deferment if deployed (the county follows state provisions for military tax deferral in combat zones – essentially delaying payment deadlines). For specific guidance or questions, the county's Tax Administration office can help (see the official link below).
Haymarket residents should also check with the Town of Haymarket for any town-specific tax inquiries or bills (the town bills real estate taxes separately, typically due in a single payment by December 5th).
Official Tax Resources – Prince William: Visit the Prince William County Tax Administration – Real Estate page for county tax details and the PWC Finance Department. For the Town of Haymarket, see the Haymarket Tax Information page for the latest town tax rates and deadlines.
Visualizing Northern Virginia Property Tax Data
To help you better understand the differences in tax rates across Northern Virginia, consider these key visualizations:
Tax Rate Comparison
When comparing 2025 property tax rates across Northern Virginia:
- Highest Rates: City of Alexandria ($1.135) and Fairfax County ($1.14)
- Middle Range: Arlington County ($1.033)
- Lower Rates: Prince William County ($0.992 effective) and Loudoun County ($0.805)
2025 Tax Rate Changes
- Increases: Fairfax County (+1.5¢) and Alexandria (+2.5¢)
- No Change: Arlington County and Prince William County
- Decrease: Loudoun County (-6.0¢)
How Your Tax Dollars Are Used
Across Northern Virginia localities, your property taxes typically fund:
- Schools: 47-57% of tax revenue
- Public Safety: Police, Fire, EMT services
- Transportation: Road maintenance, public transit
- Parks & Recreation: Public parks, community centers
- Libraries & Community Services: Public libraries and various social services
Tax Relief for Military Families
Important tax exemptions and relief options include:
- 100% exemption on home property taxes for disabled veterans
- Exemption rights for surviving spouses of service members killed in action
- Deferral options for active-duty deployed personnel
- Local tax relief programs for elderly/disabled homeowners
Conclusion
Staying informed about property tax rates is important for homeowners and prospective buyers alike, as these taxes affect your annual housing costs and fund the amenities that make our communities desirable. In 2025, Northern Virginia's localities have seen a mix of tax rate changes – some modest increases to invest in schools and services (Fairfax, Alexandria), a notable decrease in Loudoun, and steady rates in Arlington and Prince William.
Understanding these rates, and the context behind them, can help you budget and appreciate how those tax dollars are put to work (from excellent schools to safe neighborhoods). If you have questions about how a particular locality's taxes might impact your home purchase or if you qualify for any tax relief programs, MMK Realty is here as a resource.
We hope this guide helps demystify property taxes and empowers you to make informed real estate decisions in Northern Virginia.
Sources:
- Fairfax County Department of Tax Administration – Real Estate Tax Rates (2023–2025)
- Arlington County Board News Release – FY 2026 Budget Adoption (Real Estate Tax Rate)
- City of Alexandria FY 2025 Approved Tax Rates
- Loudoun County Adopted FY 2026 Budget News – Real Property Tax Rate
- Prince William County FY 2025 Budget & Tax Rates (Board of Supervisors)
- Town of Haymarket Tax Information (Town Real Estate Tax Rate)
Additional Resources from MMK Realty
To help you navigate the Northern Virginia real estate market beyond just property taxes, MMK Realty offers these additional resources:
- New Rules for Buyers: How to Navigate Buying in Northern Virginia - Essential strategies for today's buyers facing unique market challenges.
- Who Is Buying Homes in Northern Virginia? - Insights into the current buyer demographics and what it means for sellers and fellow buyers.
- 2025 Northern Virginia Real Estate Market Report: Seller Guide - The latest market trends and expert guidance for those looking to sell in Northern Virginia.
- Complete Guide to HOAs in Northern Virginia: 2025 Edition - Everything you need to know about Homeowners Associations in Northern Virginia communities.
A Final Thought
As a broker who has weathered multiple market cycles in Northern Virginia, I believe honesty about current conditions is essential. Today's buyer landscape presents genuine challenges, particularly for those without substantial financial resources or family support. However, with proper guidance, strategic planning, and realistic expectations, paths to homeownership still exist.
At MMK Realty, we pride ourselves on "keeping the Real in Real Estate" – providing straightforward, honest guidance to help clients navigate this complex market. Whether you're selling a home and need to understand your likely buyer pool, or a prospective buyer trying to determine what's truly possible given your resources, we're committed to offering the clear-eyed guidance needed to make informed decisions in today's extraordinary market.
Michelle Williams is the Principal Broker of MMK Realty, LLC, with 19 years of experience as a Realtor and property manager in Northern Virginia. As a certified Military Relocation Professional, she specializes in helping clients with diverse backgrounds navigate the region's complex housing market. For a personalized consultation about your specific real estate goals, contact Michelle today.
