Cook County, Illinois Property Taxes
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Census Bureau ACS property tax data for Illinois. Population: 1,212,570.
The median annual property tax in Cook County is $6,191, which is 117% higher than the Illinois state average and 211% above the national average. The effective tax rate is 1.91% on a median home value of $324,500. Property taxes represent 7.4% of the median household income in this county. All property tax data shown below is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, which aggregates self-reported tax payments from homeowner households across the county. This page includes tax trends over multiple years, comparisons with neighboring counties, and a rent-versus-own cost analysis.
What This Data Tells Us About Cook County
Homeowners in Cook County pay a median annual property tax of $6,191, which is 211% higher than the national median and 117% above the Illinois state average. The effective tax rate of 1.91% on a median home value of $324,500 reflects how the local assessment base and millage combine into an actual bill.
Property taxes in Cook County represent about 7.4% of the median household income of $83,498, compared with a common national benchmark of 2% to 4%. Homeowners with a mortgage report a median of $6,502 in annual property tax while those without a mortgage report $5,638 — a gap that usually reflects differences in home value rather than differences in tax rate. Compared with 2023, the median tax bill changed by 2.3%, which tracks reassessment cycles and changes in the underlying home value distribution.
This page is for informational purposes only and is not tax, legal, or financial advice. Figures describe the median homeowner household in Cook County as reported to the Census Bureau — your own bill can differ based on your parcel's assessed value, exemptions, special districts, and municipal overlays. Always consult your county assessor, tax collector, or a qualified professional before making decisions that depend on these numbers.
With vs Without Mortgage
Homeowners with a mortgage typically own higher-valued properties, which can result in higher tax bills.
Cook County vs Benchmarks
| Metric | Cook County | Illinois Avg | U.S. Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Tax | $6,191 | $2,851 | $1,993 |
| Effective Tax Rate | 1.91% | 1.80% | 0.92% |
| Median Home Value | $324,500 | $153,020 | $227,791 |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates. Tax-burden differences across rows reflect millage decisions, assessment-ratio practices, and the residential-vs-commercial mix of each tax base.
Think your Cook County property tax bill is too high?
A successful appeal can lower your assessed value by 10-25%, cutting your annual tax bill by hundreds or thousands of dollars. Use our free Appeal Savings Estimator to project savings on your specific home, then read our step-by-step appeal guide for the exact procedure in Illinois.
Property Tax History
| Year | Median Tax | Effective Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $6,191 +2.3% | 1.91% |
| 2023 | $6,053 +1.9% | 1.98% |
| 2022 | $5,941 +6.2% | 2.02% |
| 2021 | $5,593 +4.7% | 2.10% |
| 2020 | $5,342 | 2.09% |
Tax Burden
Tax Affordability Score
Based on the effective tax rate of 1.91% compared to the national average of 0.92%. Property taxes in Cook County are above average, contributing to higher housing costs.
Other Counties in Illinois
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average property tax in Cook County, Illinois? ▼
How does Cook County property tax compare to the national average? ▼
Does having a mortgage affect property taxes in Cook County? ▼
What percentage of income goes to property taxes in Cook County? ▼
Are property taxes increasing in Cook County? ▼
How can I appeal my property tax assessment in Cook County? ▼
Property Tax Guides
Related Data for Illinois
Data as of 2024. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates.
Property tax data reflects median amounts paid by homeowners. Effective rates are calculated as median tax divided by median home value.
Related
Disclaimer: This information is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Data is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey. Consult a qualified professional before making decisions based on this data.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.