Property taxes and utility rates
Property tax rate increases for 2024 to 2026 are:
- • 6.14% in 2024 — average increase of $91 per household
- • *6.34% in 2025 — average increase of $99 per household
- • 6.41% in 2026 — average increase of $107 per household
*Confirmed by council on December 9, 2024
On this page:
- Find property tax rate increases
- Find utility rate increases
- What your tax dollars buy
- Check other municipalities' rates
- Contact us
Find property tax rate increases
Property tax increases follow our Core Consumer Price Index Policy (PDF) which uses CPIX as a guide for essential services and growth.
To maintain or improve our service levels and support infrastructure renewal, we require increases above inflation.
The table shows the breakdown of annual tax rates, including the average household increases.
| Budget Category | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Support existing services and funding facility and asset growth |
3.37% |
3.84% |
3.49% |
| Infrastructure renewal investment |
0.75% |
0.74% |
0.73% |
| Provide the new services outlined in our strategic plan |
2.02% |
1.76% |
2.19% |
| Total property tax rate increase and average increase per household |
6.14% |
6.34% |
6.41% |
City utility rate increases
The average household consumes 17 cubic meters of water per month. Maintaining our water, sanitary sewers and stormwater services is essential.
Our utility rate increase is combined with the Region of Waterloo's. The table shows the breakdown of annual utility rates, including the average household increases.
| Municipality | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| City of Waterloo portion |
3.8% |
4.1% |
3.8% |
| Region of Waterloo portion |
1.8% |
2.3% |
2.5% |
| Total |
5.6% |
6.4% |
6.3% |
What your tax dollars buy
Your tax dollars go towards programs and services that improve the quality of life for you, your family and your larger community.
The city reinvests every $1.00 it receives in taxes back into the community. The diagram below shows how your property taxes are invested in public service.
Check other municipalities' rates
Compare City of Waterloo tax increases with other Waterloo Region municipalities.
| Municipality | 2024 approved property tax rate % | 2025 approved property tax rate % | 2025 budget approval date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Region of Waterloo | 6.94% | 9.48% | December 20, 2024 |
| City of Waterloo | 6.14% | 6.34% | December 9, 2024 |
| City of Kitchener | 3.9% | 3.9% | December 12, 2024 |
| City of Cambridge | 7.17% | 1.28%* | December 9, 2024 |
*4.68% before stormwater transition to utility rate model.