Cary's 2026 property tax rate is $0.9046 per $100 of value: Wake County $0.5371, the town $0.3675. Pay by Jan. 5, 2027. Call 919-856-5400.
Last checked Oct. 11, 2026. Updated each year when the new rates are set. Facts on this page come from Wake County Tax Administration and the Town of Cary budget page.
Wake County Tax Administration values property in Cary and sends one bill that covers both the county and the Town of Cary. Its office is in the Wake County Justice Center, 301 S. McDowell St., Suite 3800, in Raleigh, open 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays except county holidays, according to the county’s 2026 bills page.
Who to call
- Bills, payments, values and relief programs: Wake County Tax Administration, 919-856-5400, taxhelp@wake.gov
- 2027 revaluation questions: 919-857-3800, revaluation@wake.gov
- Find or pay a bill: Wake County tax bill search and online payments
- Town budget questions: Cary 311, or 919-469-4000 from outside town limits
- Mail: P.O. Box 2331, Raleigh, NC 27602
The 2026 rate
The Cary Town Council adopted its fiscal 2027 budget on June 25, 2026, with a property tax rate of 36.75 cents per $100 of value, up 2.75 cents, according to the town’s budget page. The same budget raised the solid waste and recycling fee $2, to $28 a month, and raised utility base charges 4%.
The Wake County Board of Commissioners raised the county rate 2 cents, to 53.71 cents, in its fiscal 2027 budget, according to the county’s table of rates since 2017.
| Taxing unit | 2026 rate per $100 | 2025 rate per $100 |
|---|---|---|
| Wake County | $0.5371 | $0.5171 |
| Town of Cary | $0.3675 | $0.3400 |
| Cary total | $0.9046 | $0.8571 |
On a home assessed at $500,000, that is about $2,686 to the county and $1,838 to the town, $4,523 in all, before any exclusion. The county’s table also lists a $30 Town of Cary vehicle fee and a $20 county vehicle fee.
Part of western Cary is in Chatham County. Those properties pay Chatham County’s rate instead of Wake’s, plus the town rate, and get a bill from Chatham County.
How the rate has moved
When the bill is due
Bills for 2026 can be paid without interest through Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2027, the county says on its payment page. You can pay in installments of any amount without asking first, as long as the bill is paid in full by then. After that, interest and collection costs are added. Owners who pay through a mortgage escrow account do not get a paper bill and can look it up online.
- Online by eCheck: no fee.
- Card or digital wallet: online, with a fee charged by the payment company.
- In person: the Justice Center office or the county’s regional centers.
- By mail: write the account number on the check.
The county also sets up payment plans if you call before the bill is overdue.
How to appeal your value
Values still reflect the market on Jan. 1, 2024, the last countywide revaluation. Market changes since then, or a new tax rate, cannot be used to lower a value, according to the county’s appeals page.
- Ask the tax office for an informal review.
- File a formal appeal with the Board of Equalization and Review. Appeals must arrive before the board adjourns, usually in early to mid-April.
- If you still disagree, appeal to the N.C. Property Tax Commission within 30 days after the board mails its decision.
The 2027 revaluation
Every Wake County property gets a new value effective Jan. 1, 2027. The county plans to present results to commissioners Jan. 19, 2027, and mail new values a few days later with appeal instructions, according to its revaluation page. After that, revaluations move to every two years.
The Board of Commissioners held a public hearing on the proposed 2027 schedule of values on Oct. 5, the second of three steps before it is adopted. The county’s meeting summary gives these dates:
- Jan. 19, 2027: staff present revaluation results to commissioners
- Jan. 22, 2027: owners start receiving notices of assessed value
- April 30, 2027: planned deadline to appeal to the Board of Equalization and Review
Tax relief for seniors, disabled owners and veterans
North Carolina offers three programs, and you can use only one, according to the county’s tax relief page:
- Senior and disabled exclusion: 65 or older, or totally and permanently disabled, with 2025 income up to $38,800. Excludes $25,000 or up to 50% of the home’s value, whichever is greater.
- Circuit breaker deferment: same age or disability rule, income up to $58,200 and five years owning and living in the home. Caps the bill at 4% or 5% of income.
- Disabled veteran exclusion: up to $45,000 of value for an honorably discharged veteran with a total and permanent service-connected disability, or an unmarried surviving spouse.
The deadline is June 1. For 2026, the county accepts late applications for good cause through Dec. 31, 2026.
What this means for you
- Your 2026 bill is due without interest through Jan. 5, 2027.
- New values arrive in late January 2027. Read the notice and note the appeal deadline.
- Check whether you qualify for relief before June 1, 2027.
More on homes: Cary home prices and our weekly real estate transfers.
Frequently asked questions
What is the property tax rate in Cary?
For 2026 a Cary property in Wake County pays the county rate of $0.5371 and the Town of Cary rate of $0.3675 per $100 of assessed value, $0.9046 in all.
Did Cary raise its property tax rate?
Yes. The Town Council adopted a fiscal 2027 budget on June 25, 2026, that raised the town rate 2.75 cents, to 36.75 cents per $100 of value.
When are Wake County property taxes due?
Bills for 2026 can be paid without interest through Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2027. Partial payments of any amount are allowed as long as the balance is paid by then.
How do I appeal my property value in Wake County?
Ask the tax office for an informal review, then appeal to the Board of Equalization and Review, which usually adjourns in early to mid-April. New values for the 2027 revaluation arrive in late January 2027.
Have your say