Using Comparable Properties to Protest Your Dallas County Assessment

The most effective way to protest your Dallas County property taxes is by showing that similar homes in your area are assessed at lower values. These similar homes are called "comparable properties" or "comps" — and they're the foundation of nearly every successful protest.

What Makes a Good Comp in Dallas County?

A comparable property should be similar to yours in the ways DCAD uses for valuation:

• Size: Within 20-30% of your home's square footage
• Age: Built within 10-15 years of your home
• Location: Same DCAD neighborhood code, ideally the same subdivision
• Condition: Same CDU rating (DCAD rates properties from Poor to Excellent)
• Features: Same number of stories, similar bedroom/bathroom count, pool status

DCAD assigns each property a neighborhood code (like "5ASN05") that groups similar properties together. Comps within the same neighborhood code carry the most weight.

The $/sqft Metric

The single most important number in a property tax protest is appraised value per square foot. If your property is assessed at $180/sqft but comparable homes in your DCAD neighborhood are assessed at $150/sqft, that's strong evidence of unequal appraisal.

To calculate: divide the total appraised value by the total living area square footage. For example, a home appraised at $476,000 with 3,310 sqft = $143.81/sqft.

Two Types of Evidence

Equity (Unequal Appraisal) — Usually Strongest

Compare your assessed value per square foot to other properties assessed by DCAD. Under Texas Property Tax Code Section 41.43(b), your appraised value should not exceed the median appraised value of comparable properties, appropriately adjusted.

This is typically the stronger argument because you're using DCAD's own data against them. The ARB must rule in your favor unless DCAD proves your value is at or below the comparable median — the burden of proof is on DCAD, not you.

Market Value — Recent Sales

Show that similar homes have recently sold for less than your appraised value. Use sale dates, addresses, and prices from the last 6-12 months. This is especially effective when the market has softened or your neighborhood has seen lower sale prices.

How DTX Value Finds Your Comps

DTX Value automatically analyzes your property against all residential properties in DCAD's certified roll — over 627,000 properties. Our algorithm scores each potential comp on square footage similarity, year built, neighborhood code, condition rating, bedroom/bathroom count, lot size, and features. Higher-scoring comps carry more weight in the analysis.

Building a Winning Case

• Use 3-5 strong comps rather than many weak ones — quality over quantity
• Highlight the median $/sqft of your comps vs. your own $/sqft
• If your property has a lower CDU condition rating than the comps, point that out
• Include both equity and sales evidence when available — they reinforce each other
• Upload your evidence through uFile so DCAD appraisers can review it before your informal hearing
• DTX Value generates both types of evidence with a match-scored comp list ready for your protest