Looking for information on Cumberland County property tax rates. (Portland: sales, how much)

[abbyroad]

Could someone please help me with tax rates in Maine. We don't have much time left before my husband has to start his new job in South Portland and we still have not been able to figure out where we want to live. I saw a few nice houses in Gorham, but was very discouraged by their more than $19 per $1000 tax rate.
I would like to live in Cumberland County. Yarmouth does not post their tax info on-line, does anyone know what it is?
When my husband took the transfer in Maine, I just assumed we would have more money, a better house, etc..
It's looking like it will cost us more money to live in Maine. My husband is getting a $5,000 a year pay cut as well because according to the government (his employer) the cost of living is more in Massachusetts. Property taxes in Massachusetts seem to be more consistent - $10 - $14 for all towns and cities. I can't believe how much they differ in Maine from town to town.
Anyway, if someone could list, or direct me to a web site that has Cumberland County tax rates, I would appreciate it.

[flycessna]

I couldn't find anything online either. I have a stats book published by the state but its dated. I wouldn't put much stock in the Mil rates. It all depends on when the last valuation was and one town (like cape elizibeth) may have a reasonable mil rate but homes tend to cost a lot more there. Maine does have IMO higher property taxes. I can tell you probably the more populated the place the higher the tax ie. Portland, westbrook ect. I do not know where you are coming from but I also have been looking at gorham. I like how the town has been growing. Home prices are still reasonable compared to Yarmouth, Cumberland. I like the schools there and their sports are class A. I would decide what area I want to be and then just look at individual homes and their taxes.

[WhoFanMe]

The Mill rate for Gorham is currently 19.40, but scheduled to increase to 20.71, yes taxes are going up here. The most recent mill rate I could find for Yarmouth was 17.60. Does that mean that Gorham has higher taxes than Yarmouth? Not necessarily - the mill rate is only one factor. The other factor is the assessed value of a property and each town does its own valuations. flycessna is right, you need to look at each individual home and take into consideration what the property taxes are in relation to the value of the home and it's location.

[MRVphotog]

We pay about $15/1000 in Cumberland.

[flycessna]

In auburn were paying about 24$ per 1000. And thats with a brand new valuation. My split level worth about 189k is costing me $3600 (iam not sure what the town value is the 189k is my guess)

[Elcarim]

Just to add some perspective, in Texas this year, we paid $33.26/1000. Most of Maine, I believe, is still well below that.

[DavidoftheNorth]

Try this: Maine Revenue Services: Property Tax (broken link)

HOWEVER, this information is not completely meaningful unless one knows the given town's valuation ratio to 100% market value, which varies from town to town. That information probably can only be readily obtained from the individual town.

[flycessna]

Originally Posted by Elcarim

Just to add some perspective, in Texas this year, we paid $33.26/1000. Most of Maine, I believe, is still well below that.

where in texes are you from? Is it like that every where? I am very suprised to see that being that most places I have researched in the South and Southwest have much lower property tax rates. wait a minute...I forgot you can buy a 4br/3ba brick home for like 150k. maybe thats why?

[Elcarim]

We live in a rural suburb of Houston, roughly 40 minutes from downtown. We are considered the "greater Houston area". Our 4 br/1.5 bath brick home is going on the market for $95K.

My sister, who lives 20 miles over from us on the north side of Houston (still greater Houston area) is in a 3/2 home valued at $130K and pays just over $5K a year for her taxes.

Is is just so relative to which tax zone/town/county etc that you live in, but we still feel our taxes are outrageous. And the 8.25% sales tax we pay for all non-food items on top of that is rediculous. Add to that $2.86+ per gallon for gas right now and the $380 electric bill for July, and they're killing us!

[WhoFanMe]

Originally Posted by DavidoftheNorth

Try this: Maine Revenue Services: Property Tax (broken link)

HOWEVER, this information is not completely meaningful unless one knows the given town's valuation ratio to 100% market value, which varies from town to town. That information probably can only be readily obtained from the individual town.

David,

Thanks, that's very helpful to me! Make sure you verify with each individual town, for example Westbrook is listed at 23.87, but it is going to be reduced to 15.67, however the assessed value is jumping to "market value."