Hays County property tax protest check
Hays Central Appraisal District appraised 81,331 single-family homes on its 2026 certified roll. We could compare 73,010 of them with similar homes nearby, and 33,566 of those (46.0%) look high.
This free, independent check uses the appraisal district's own values, not sale prices. Click your home on the map for a report that compares it with 5 similar homes nearby, and see the Playbook if you decide to protest on your own.
Check your Hays County home on the map →
What Hays County's 2026 certified roll shows
Added up, these homes are appraised $1.9 billion above the typical value of the similar homes they were compared with.
We could not find 5 similar homes for the other 8,321 homes on the roll (an unusual size or age, or a rural home), so they are not part of the percentage.
The median change in appraised value from last year was -1.2%.
Neighborhoods where the most homes look high
- Around Days End Rd in Wimberley: 56% of 72 homes we could compare look high
- Around W Bartlett Dr in Buda: 55% of 268 homes we could compare look high
- Around Falconwood Dr in San Marcos: 55% of 66 homes we could compare look high
- Around Jerry Lees Trl in Kyle: 54% of 70 homes we could compare look high
- Around Saddleridge Dr in Wimberley: 54% of 153 homes we could compare look high
These counts cover single-family homes only. Every county has some homes above similar homes and some below, so this is not proof the whole county is over-appraised.
Where Hays County's homes are
No single city has most of the 59,213 homes with a homestead exemption. The largest counts are in Kyle (16,359), Buda (11,644), San Marcos (9,945) and Dripping Springs (6,641).
By ZIP code, the most homestead homes are in 78640 (16,881), 78610 (11,809) and 78666 (9,922). The roll has homes in 14 ZIP codes in all.
How the largest cities compare
| City | Homes we could compare | Share that looks high | Median appraised value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kyle | 22,653 | 45.1% | $303,453 |
| Buda | 14,431 | 44.1% | $363,000 |
| San Marcos | 12,455 | 46.1% | $333,575 |
| Dripping Springs | 7,064 | 48.9% | $646,391 |
| Austin | 6,212 | 48.3% | $745,744 |
| Wimberley | 4,406 | 50.1% | $510,363 |
Each row counts the single-family homes with that city in their address. The county-wide share is 46.0%.
Hays County questions
How many Hays County homes look high on the 2026 roll?
33,566 of the 73,010 homes we could compare, or 46.0%. Each is appraised more than 2% above similar homes nearby on Hays Central Appraisal District's 2026 certified roll.
What is the median appraised value of a Hays County homestead?
$399,000 on the 2026 certified roll. That is the middle value of the 59,213 single-family homes with a homestead exemption.
When can I protest my Hays County appraisal?
The 2026 protest season is closed. The next one starts when 2027 preliminary notices go out, usually in April or May. The deadline is generally May 15, or 30 days after your notice was delivered if that is later. Go by the date printed on your own notice. The appraisal district takes protests online at propertysearch.hayscad.com.
Which Hays County city has the largest share of homes that look high?
Of the 6 largest cities, Wimberley is highest: 50.1% of its 4,406 homes we could compare look high. Buda is lowest at 44.1% of 14,431. The county as a whole is at 46.0%.
Hays Central Appraisal District
The district's website is hayscad.com. You can look up any account at esearch.hayscad.com. To protest, use Hays Central Appraisal District's protest page. What notice and certified values mean
The numbers on this page come from the appraisal district's 2026 certified roll. We got it through a free public download, and our copy was last updated on August 31, 2026. The map also has the 2026 preliminary, 2025 certified and 2024 certified rolls for Hays County, and the year buttons on the map switch between them.
What happened when Hays County owners protested
In 2024, the appraisal district received 24,493 protests. 93% of informal reviews ended with a lower value, and so did 77% of formal hearings. Together they took $1.2 billion off appraised values. Paid agents or firms filed about 74% of the protests, and owners can also file on their own for free.
Source: Texas Comptroller Appraisal District Operations Survey (2024), with county-wide figures reported by the appraisal district.
Nearby counties
These counties border Hays County:
More Austin Metro counties:
See all Texas counties we cover →
The fine print
Not legal advice. This page is an educational check built on public appraisal data. It is not affiliated with the Hays Central Appraisal District or the State of Texas, and it does not file anything on your behalf — you are responsible for your own filings and deadlines. The regular spring protest window is closed on the 2026 certified roll. See the full Disclaimer & Terms of Use.
Built by an independent citizen developer. Not affiliated with the Hays Central Appraisal District.