Property Taxes in Charlottesville
Charlottesville property taxes run through a real, comparatively simple structure -- a flat $0.99-per-$100-of-assessed-value city real estate tax rate -- but that rate is genuinely, meaningfully higher than surrounding Albemarle County's $0.894 rate, a real cost difference for anyone comparing the independent city against the county that surrounds it.
Exploring the idea of moving?
We can connect you with a local real estate professional who knows the area -- no pressure, just a starting point.
Learn moreCharlottesville's Rate vs. Albemarle County's: A Real, Structural Gap
The City of Charlottesville's real estate tax rate is $0.99 per $100 of assessed value. Albemarle County -- the separately-governed county that surrounds but does not include the city, per Virginia's independent-city structure -- levies $0.894 per $100 for FY2026, roughly 11 cents lower per $100. This is a real, meaningful gap: for a home assessed at $500,000, the city rate produces a $4,950 annual bill versus roughly $4,470 at the county rate -- a real, structural cost difference of about $480/year for otherwise identical assessed values.
Two Payment Installments Per Year
Charlottesville real estate tax is due in two installments: June 25 and December 5. This is a straightforward, real payment schedule -- confirm exact current-year due dates directly with the city, since municipal payment calendars can shift slightly year to year.
Albemarle County's Personal Property Tax Is a Real, Separate, Currently-Debated Cost
Albemarle County's personal property tax rate (which applies to vehicles and other tangible personal property, not real estate) is 4.28% of assessed value for calendar year 2026. As of this pass, the Albemarle Board of Supervisors was weighing a 15-cent increase to $4.42 per $100 -- a real, live proposal, not yet enacted, disclosed here as a factor to watch rather than assumed as settled.
Assessments Are a Separate Question From the Rate
This page covers Charlottesville's and Albemarle's tax rates, not their assessment methodologies or reassessment cycles -- a specific property's assessed value (which the rate is applied to) should be confirmed directly with the relevant assessor's office rather than assumed from a purchase price, since assessed value and market/purchase price can diverge.
Virginia's Age Deduction Doesn't Apply to Property Tax Directly
Note that Virginia's age deduction (covered on the taxes and retiring topic pages) reduces state income tax liability, not local real estate tax. Older Charlottesville homeowners seeking property tax relief specifically should confirm with the city whether a separate local real estate tax relief or exemption program for seniors or people with disabilities exists and what its current eligibility rules are -- this wasn't independently verified to a specific current Charlottesville program this pass.
Key takeaways
- Charlottesville's real estate tax rate is $0.99 per $100 of assessed value, meaningfully above surrounding Albemarle County's $0.894 rate -- a real, roughly $480/year difference on a $500,000 assessed home.
- Real estate tax is due in two installments: June 25 and December 5.
- Albemarle County's personal property tax rate is 4.28% for calendar year 2026, with a 15-cent increase to $4.42/$100 under live consideration by the Board of Supervisors as of this pass -- not yet enacted.
- This page covers tax rates, not assessment methodology -- confirm a specific property's assessed value directly with the relevant assessor rather than assuming it equals the purchase price.
- Virginia's state-level age deduction (taxes/retiring topic pages) doesn't apply to local property tax -- confirm directly with the city whether a separate senior/disability real estate tax relief program exists, which wasn't independently verified this pass.
Want to know what your budget actually buys here?
Tell us a bit about what you're looking for and we'll connect you with someone local who can walk you through real numbers.
Get local guidanceRead the full Charlottesville overview for the complete picture -- housing, taxes, climate, and who this place genuinely fits.
Planning a move?
Tell us what you're looking for and we'll connect you with a local expert who can help you make it happen.
Talk to a local expert