How MUD Taxes Work in Houston (and How to Figure Yours)
What a MUD is
A municipal utility district (MUD) is a special district that builds and runs water, sewer and drainage, usually for subdivisions outside city limits.
Why rates can be high
The MUD sells bonds to pay for the pipes and drainage, and homeowners pay those bonds back through the debt part of the rate. The rest is maintenance and operations. Each district page shows the split.
How to figure yours
The rate is dollars per $100 of home value. Divide your home's value by 100, then multiply by the rate:
home value ÷ 100 × rate = yearly MUD tax, before exemptions.
Examples with a $0.49 rate:
- A $350,000 home: 350,000 ÷ 100 = 3,500. 3,500 × 0.49 = $1,715 a year, about $143 a month, on top of your county, school and city taxes.
- A $250,000 home: 250,000 ÷ 100 = 2,500. 2,500 × 0.49 = $1,225 a year.
- A $500,000 home: 500,000 ÷ 100 = 5,000. 5,000 × 0.49 = $2,450 a year.
Every district page with a reported 2025 rate has a calculator that uses that district's rate.
What changes your real bill
- The appraised value set by the county appraisal district, which may differ from the price you pay.
- Homestead and other exemptions.
- Next year's adopted rate. Districts adopt a new rate each year.
Before you buy
Look up the district on this site (Harris, Fort Bend, Montgomery), then verify with the district or the county appraisal district.
Rates on this site: Texas Comptroller 2025 Special District Rates and Levies. See sources.
Verify with the district or the county appraisal district before buying.