Updated · Property tax data: Census ACS 2024 5-year estimates · Transfer tax verified April 2026 · Methodology · Editorial policy
Sitka City and Borough's 0.46% effective property tax rate ranks 382nd lowest among the 3,134 US counties tracked, placing it in the bottom 25% lowest nationally. Within Alaska's 28 counties, it's the 8th lowest. On the county's median home value of $450,300, the typical homeowner pays $2,080 annually in property tax, $451 more than the national median of $1,629. Alaska charges no state real estate transfer tax, which keeps closing costs here lower than high-transfer-tax states like New York, Pennsylvania, or Delaware.
Enter any purchase price to see the full cost breakdown for Sitka City and Borough.
Low flood risk. Flood insurance not typically required. Verify at msc.fema.gov for your specific property.
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 Sitka City and Borough may reduce their annual property tax. These programs apply statewide; verify county specifics with your local assessor.
Mandatory exemption up to the first $150,000 of assessed value of the primary residence for seniors 65+ or disabled veterans with 50%+ service-connected disability. All municipalities must grant this.
View official source →Municipalities may grant an additional residential exemption up to $50,000 off assessed value. Kenai Peninsula Borough increased its exemption to $75,000 in 2025; Anchorage and Fairbanks have their own programs.
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 Sitka City and Borough.
The effective property tax rate in Sitka City and Borough is 0.46%, calculated as the median annual property tax paid ($2,080) divided by the median home value ($450,300), using 2024 US Census ACS 5-year estimates. Your actual bill depends on your purchase price, homestead or senior exemptions, and any special assessments applied in your taxing district.
No. Alaska does not impose a state real estate transfer tax, which keeps closing costs in Sitka City and Borough lower than in states like New York, Pennsylvania, or Delaware where transfer taxes can add thousands of dollars at closing.
Flood risk is relatively low. Only 0.0% of Sitka City and Borough's land falls within a FEMA Special Flood Hazard Area. Flood insurance is not typically required, though individual properties near waterways may still be in a zone. Verify at msc.fema.gov.
Closing costs for a buyer in Sitka City and Borough typically run $9,006–$22,515 (2–5% of purchase price) on a median-priced home, including title insurance ($800–$2,000), appraisal ($400–$700), home inspection ($350–$600), recording fees ($100–$300), and loan origination (0.5–1.0% of the loan amount). Use the calculator above for a specific estimate at your 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 $2,080/yr median taxes paid (ACS 2024 5-year estimates, variable B25103_001E).
Source for the $450,300 median home value (variable B25077_001E). The 0.46% effective rate is median taxes paid divided by median home value.
Confirms Alaska has no state real estate transfer tax. 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 Sitka City and Borough.
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).
Alaska property tax exemptions: official sources
Verified April 2026.
What every buyer should read before making an offer.
An HOA capped rentals at 10 of 50 homes and grandfathered the existing landlords. How to find rental restrictions before closing, and what they cost you.
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.
Read the guide →