Oswego County, NY Property Tax: $3,595/yr (2026)
Last reviewed:
The effective property tax rate in Oswego County is 2.58% of assessed home value. On a home at the county median value of $139,600, that works out to about $3,602 per year, or $300 per month. Oswego County is located in northern New York, and is home to approximately 117,945 residents.
About Oswego County
Oswego County covers approximately 951.6 square miles in New York. The county is home to about 117,945 residents living in roughly 54,697 housing units, of which 63.7% are owner-occupied. The median household income is $68,461, and the median home was built in 1971.
Oswego County borders Cayuga County, Jefferson County, Lewis County, Madison County, Oneida County — useful comparisons if you're considering nearby areas with potentially different tax rates.
How Property Taxes Work in New York
Property taxes in New York 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 New York 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 Oswego County Assessor's office to learn which exemptions apply to your property and when to file.
Oswego County vs. Neighboring Counties
| Location | Eff. Rate | Median Home | Annual Tax |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oswego County, NY | 2.58% | $139,600 | $3,602 |
| New York state average | 2.05% | — | $2,862* |
| Cayuga County | 2.28% | $164,200 | $3,747 |
| Jefferson County | 1.58% | $181,000 | $2,851 |
| Lewis County | 1.70% | $158,000 | $2,682 |
| Madison County | 2.30% | $176,800 | $4,058 |
| Oneida County | 2.13% | $171,100 | $3,646 |
| US national average | 1.10% | $281,900 | $3,101 |
*State average annual tax computed at Oswego County's median home value of $139,600. Source: US Census ACS 2023 5-year estimates.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Oswego County's property tax rate compare to the rest of New York?
At 2.58%, Oswego County is higher than the New York state average of 2.05%. On a home at the county median of $139,600, that means about $3,602 per year — versus $2,862 at the state average rate, a difference of $740 per year. Compared to the national average of 1.10%, Oswego County is above average.
What's a typical annual property tax bill in Oswego County?
For a home at the county median value of $139,600, the annual property tax in Oswego County is approximately $3,602 — or about $300 per month. For a home worth $209,400, expect around $5,403 per year. For a $279,200 home, approximately $7,203 per year. Use the calculator above to estimate taxes for any assessed value.
Where do I appeal a Oswego County property tax assessment?
Property assessment appeals in Oswego County are handled by the Oswego County Assessor's office. 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 Oswego County?
New York 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 2.58% shown here. Contact the Oswego 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