Home values, property tax rises in Texas county after the arrival of SpaceX

The median property tax bill in Cameron County increased by more than 57% over six years.

1 minute read

September 7, 2026, 7:00 AM PDT

By Zachary Whalen


A SpaceX sign in Brownsville, Texas.

Researchers expect that SpaceX’s arrival contributed to the ride in property values, and property tax. | Findaview

Home values in Cameron County, where SpaceX built a launch facility and development site in 2014, have more than doubled over a six year period, according to research from the Texas Real Estate Research Center at Texas A&M University. Researchers expect that SpaceX’s arrival contributed to the rise in property values and property tax, and with SpaceX expanding its operations in Brownsville, they say the cost of housing may climb even further.

Local officials will also impact the future of property taxes in Brownsville. The Texas Tribune reports: 

Like most cities in Texas, Brownsville is finalizing its budget for the 2026-2027 fiscal year, which begins in October. The process includes setting the rate at which homeowners’ property will be taxed, a decision that could ultimately determine whether homeowners face a tax hike or a tax cut.

The city's current proposal is to maintain the same tax rate next year. From 2019 to 2025, the median property tax bill in Cameron County increased by more than 57%, reaching $2,740. Bob Torres, a real estate broker in Brownsville, said that clients have told him that they want to sell their homes because they can’t afford to pay their property taxes anymore.

Monday, August 31, 2026 in The Texas Tribune

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