Cook County, IL Property Tax: $6,053/yr (2026)
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The effective property tax rate in Cook County is 1.98% of assessed home value. On a home at the county median value of $305,200, that works out to about $6,043 per year, or $504 per month. Cook County is located in northeastern Illinois, with Chicago as its county seat, and is home to approximately 5,185,812 residents.
About Cook County
Cook County covers approximately 944.9 square miles in Illinois. The county is home to about 5,185,812 residents living in roughly 2,270,349 housing units, of which 52.8% are owner-occupied. The median household income is $81,797, and the median home was built in 1961.
The county seat is Chicago. Cook County borders DuPage County, Kane County, Lake County, McHenry County, Will County — useful comparisons if you're considering nearby areas with potentially different tax rates.
How Property Taxes Work in Illinois
Property taxes in Illinois are administered at the county level. Each county sets a millage rate applied to the assessed value of real property — the effective rate above accounts for any partial assessments and exemptions already built into the local tax base. Assessed value can differ meaningfully from current market value depending on how often the county reassesses and what fraction of market value it uses.
Most counties in Illinois offer exemptions that reduce the taxable assessed value: homestead exemptions for primary residences, senior exemptions, disability exemptions, and veteran exemptions are common. These reduce your effective rate below the county-wide average shown here. Contact the Cook County Assessor's office to learn which exemptions apply to your property and when to file.
Cook County vs. Neighboring Counties
| Location | Eff. Rate | Median Home | Annual Tax |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cook County, IL | 1.98% | $305,200 | $6,043 |
| Illinois state average | 1.83% | — | $5,585* |
| DuPage County | 2.09% | $374,100 | $7,833 |
| Kane County | 2.39% | $303,000 | $7,230 |
| Lake County | 2.68% | $326,600 | $8,743 |
| McHenry County | 2.49% | $286,900 | $7,153 |
| Will County | 2.35% | $298,000 | $6,993 |
| US national average | 1.10% | $281,900 | $3,101 |
*State average annual tax computed at Cook County's median home value of $305,200. Source: US Census ACS 2023 5-year estimates.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Cook County's property tax rate compare to the rest of Illinois?
At 1.98%, Cook County is higher than the Illinois state average of 1.83%. On a home at the county median of $305,200, that means about $6,043 per year — versus $5,585 at the state average rate, a difference of $458 per year. Compared to the national average of 1.10%, Cook County is above average.
What's a typical annual property tax bill in Cook County?
For a home at the county median value of $305,200, the annual property tax in Cook County is approximately $6,043 — or about $504 per month. For a home worth $457,800, expect around $9,064 per year. For a $610,400 home, approximately $12,086 per year. Use the calculator above to estimate taxes for any assessed value.
Where do I appeal a Cook County property tax assessment?
Property assessment appeals in Cook County are handled by the Cook County Assessor's office in Chicago. Most jurisdictions require filing within 30–90 days of receiving your assessment notice — confirm the specific deadline with the assessor's office before submitting, as deadlines and procedures vary by county. A successful appeal can reduce your assessed value and lower your tax bill for the current and future tax years.
What exemptions are available in Cook County?
Illinois counties commonly offer homestead exemptions for owner-occupied primary residences, senior citizen exemptions for qualifying homeowners aged 65 and older, exemptions for disabled residents, and veterans' exemptions. Each exemption reduces your assessed taxable value, which in turn reduces your effective tax rate below the county-wide 1.98% shown here. Contact the Cook County Assessor's office to confirm which exemptions are available and the application deadlines.
Data sources: US Census Bureau ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates, US Census Gazetteer (2024), County Adjacency File