Georgetown (Sun City Texas) is in Williamson County. San Marcos (Kissing Tree) is in Hays County. Here is how the tax bills actually compare — and why the difference is smaller than most buyers expect
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Talk to a Specialist →Williamson County and Hays County have similar property tax rate structures. Both counties levy county taxes, school district taxes, city taxes (where applicable), and special district taxes. The total effective rate before exemptions is approximately 1.8–2.2% in both counties for most residential properties. The choice between Georgetown and San Marcos should not be driven by county tax rate — the difference is typically less than $500/year on a $500K home and can go either way depending on the specific taxing entities for your parcel.
What matters more: whether your specific parcel has a MUD tax (common in Kissing Tree's Hays County parcels; rare in Sun City's Williamson County parcels) and whether you qualify for and file all available exemptions.
| Tax Component | Williamson County (Georgetown area) | Hays County (San Marcos area) |
|---|---|---|
| County M&O rate (approx.) | ~$0.35/$100 | ~$0.35/$100 |
| School district rate (ISD) approx. | ~$0.88–$0.95/$100 (Georgetown ISD, RRISD) | ~$0.88–$0.95/$100 (Hays CISD) |
| City taxes (varies by city) | Georgetown: ~$0.30/$100 | San Marcos: ~$0.45/$100 (slightly higher) |
| MUD tax (common in area?) | Generally no MUD in Sun City sections | Possible in some Kissing Tree parcels |
| Total rate before exemptions (est.) | ~1.8–2.1% | ~1.9–2.2% |
| Annual tax on $500K before exemptions | ~$9,000–$10,500/yr | ~$9,500–$11,000/yr |
| Annual tax — 65+ primary, all exemptions | ~$4,800–$6,500/yr | ~$5,000–$7,000/yr |
The after-exemption difference between a Georgetown home and a San Marcos home of the same value is approximately $200–$500/year — a real difference but not a decision-driving one. Choose your community based on fit, not county tax rate.
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The single largest variable in the Williamson vs Hays tax comparison is MUD taxes. Sun City Texas sits in sections of Georgetown that generally do not have MUD taxes. Kissing Tree parcels may or may not be in a MUD depending on their specific location within the development. A Kissing Tree parcel with a $1,250/year MUD tax (at $0.25/$100 on a $500K home) adds a cost that has no equivalent at Sun City Texas. Verify MUD status for any specific Kissing Tree parcel before making that comparison.
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