Updated · Property tax data: Census ACS 2024 5-year estimates · Transfer tax verified April 2026 · Methodology · Editorial policy
Saunders County's 1.30% median tax-to-value ratio ranks 597th highest among the 3,134 US counties tracked, placing it in the top 25% highest nationally. Within Nebraska's 93 counties, it's the 39th highest. On the county's median home value of $271,700, the typical homeowner pays $3,531 annually in property tax, $1,902 more than the national median of $1,629. At closing, Nebraska's 0.23% combined real estate transfer tax adds roughly $630 on a median-priced home, typically paid by the seller. About 12.8% of the county lies within a FEMA flood hazard zone, worth checking msc.fema.gov for any specific address before buying.
Enter any purchase price to see the full cost breakdown for Saunders County.
The two rows above, added together: everything due at closing plus your first twelve months of ownership.
Moderate flood risk. Some neighborhoods require flood insurance. Check your property at msc.fema.gov.
All figures are estimates for planning purposes only. Mortgage payment assumes a 30-year fixed rate of 7.28%, the Freddie Mac PMMS average for the week ending October 1, 2026. Your lender will confirm the actual rate. Closing costs vary by lender and transaction. Consult a licensed real estate attorney and lender before making any financial decisions.
Ways buyers in Saunders County may reduce their annual property tax. These programs apply statewide; verify county specifics with your local assessor.
Income-based percentage reduction (0-100%) of assessed value. For 2026, 100% relief requires 2025 income under $37,000.99 (single) or $43,400.99 (married).
View official source →Category 4V fully exempts the homestead of veterans with 100% service-connected permanent disability (or 100% individual unemployability) with no income or home-value limits.
View official source →Individuals with permanent or developmental disability may qualify under categories 2, 3, 5, or 6 for income-based percentage relief on their homestead.
View official source →Last verified April 2026. Exemption amounts and eligibility change frequently. Always confirm with your county assessor before claiming.
Answers to common questions about buying a home in Saunders County.
There is no single property tax rate for Saunders County. The 1.30% figure commonly quoted is a county-wide median: the median annual property tax paid ($3,531) divided by the median home value ($271,700), from 2024 US Census ACS 5-year estimates. It is a statistic describing the county, not a rate levied on any particular property. Your own bill depends on your assessed value, the millage set by your overlapping taxing districts, any homestead or senior exemptions you qualify for, and special assessments. One thing to watch: the median reflects taxes actually paid by current owners, many of whom hold homestead exemptions and assessment caps, so a new buyer paying today's market price often pays more than 1.30% of the purchase price.
Nebraska's combined real estate transfer tax is approximately 0.23% of the purchase price. On the median Saunders County home value of $271,700, this adds roughly $630 at closing. Documentary Stamp Tax rate increased to $2.32/$1,000 (0.232%) effective September 3, 2025 (up from $2.25/$1,000 in effect since 2005). Seller-paid by custom.
Only in parts. About 12.8% of Saunders County's land area is within a FEMA Special Flood Hazard Area. Most homes are outside these zones, but worth verifying the specific address at msc.fema.gov.
On Saunders County's median home value of $271,700 with 20% down, buyer closing costs work out to roughly $4,226–$7,557, or 1.6–2.8% of the purchase price. That covers title insurance $800–$2,000; loan origination fee $1,087–$2,174; home appraisal $400–$700; home inspection $350–$600; recording fees $100–$300; prepaid mortgage interest $650; homeowners insurance (2 months) $250; property tax escrow (2-3 months) $589–$883. Transfer tax is listed separately. These are national ranges for each line item rather than Saunders County quotes, so treat them as a planning range and use the calculator above for your own purchase price.
Every county-specific figure on this page links to the exact public dataset it comes from. Verify the numbers yourself against the original source.
Source for the $3,531/yr median taxes paid (ACS 2024 5-year estimates, variable B25103_001E).
Source for the $271,700 median home value (variable B25077_001E). The 1.30% effective rate is median taxes paid divided by median home value.
Source for the transfer tax used in the calculator (buyer 0.00%, seller 0.23%). Verified April 2026.
Source for the county's flood hazard exposure (coastal and inland flood exposure area as a share of county area).
The national dataset behind the county report, including its technical documentation and release notes.
Look up a specific property's flood zone and insurance rate map before making an offer on a home in Saunders County.
Closing cost line items are national ranges, not county data. The methodology lists each range's source and the calculator's assumptions (mortgage rate, insurance, PMI).
Nebraska property tax exemptions: official sources
Verified April 2026.
What every buyer should read before making an offer.
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Read the guide →A buyer closed on a house and only then found out about ongoing HOA lawsuits. Six checks you can run yourself before your contingencies expire.
Read the guide →HOA special assessment not on the disclosure? One buyer got a $15,000 bill the day after closing. How to catch it before, and what to do after.
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