Property Tax in Each State
The taxman giveth and the taxman taketh away. Though the United States has a federal tax system, when it comes to paying your tax bill, there are also the subtle nuances of your state and local government to consider. This is especially true when it comes to owning property — your location can not only affect your mortgage payments but also how big a check you write to the tax collector.
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What Are Property Taxes?
Property tax payments are taxes you pay based on the value of your home as well as your state and municipality tax rates. This tax on real estate is paid to county or local tax-collecting authorities, such as municipalities, townships, counties or school districts. These taxes go towards funding a variety of community projects or institutions, like the following:
Public schooling
Infrastructure improvement projects
What Are the Property Taxes in My State?
Whether you are thinking of buying a home, moving or just curious, it can be helpful to know the property tax rates in each state. What you pay on the local or state level can greatly influence any home ownership or real property decision. The following is an alphabetical breakdown of property taxes based on the state tax rate and average annual property tax in all 50 states, including the District of Columbia.
State | Average State Tax Rate | Average Annual Property Tax |
|---|---|---|
Alabama | 0.41% | $895 |
Alaska | 1.19% | $2,599 |
Arizona | 0.66% | $1,446 |
Arkansas | 0.62% | $1,358 |
California | 0.76% | $1,644 |
Colorado | 0.51% | $1,113 |
Connecticut | 2.14% | $4,658 |
Delaware | 0.57% | $1,240 |
District of Columbia | 0.56% | $1,221 |
Florida | 0.89% | $1,934 |
Georgia | 0.92% | $2,006 |
Hawaii | 0.28% | $606 |
Idaho | 0.69% | $1,492 |
Illinois | 2.27% | $4,942 |
Indiana | 0.85% | $1,853 |
Iowa | 1.57% | $3,407 |
Kansas | 1.41% | $3,060 |
Kentucky | 0.86% | $1,866 |
Louisiana | 0.55% | $1,187 |
Maine | 1.36% | $2,953 |
Maryland | 1.09% | $2,370 |
Massachusetts | 1.23% | $2,667 |
Michigan | 1.54% | $3,343 |
Minnesota | 1.12% | $2,429 |
Mississippi | 0.81% | $1,751 |
Missouri | 0.97% | $2,111 |
Montana | 0.84% | $1,818 |
Nebraska | 1.73% | $3,754 |
Nevada | 0.60% | $1,310 |
New Hampshire | 2.18% | $4,738 |
New Jersey | 2.49% | $5,419 |
New Mexico | 0.80% | $1,740 |
New York | 1.72% | $3,749 |
North Carolina | 0.84% | $1,833 |
North Dakota | 0.98% | $2,138 |
Ohio | 1.56% | $3,390 |
Oklahoma | 0.90% | $1,952 |
Oregon | 0.97% | $2,116 |
Pennsylvania | 1.58% | $3,442 |
Rhode Island | 1.63% | $3,548 |
South Carolina | 0.57% | $1,238 |
South Dakota | 1.31% | $2,857 |
Tennessee | 0.71% | $1,548 |
Texas | 1.80% | $3,907 |
Utah | 0.63% | $1,362 |
Vermont | 1.90% | $4,135 |
Virginia | 0.82% | $1,779 |
Washington | 0.98% | $2,134 |
West Virginia | 0.58% | $1,269 |
Wisconsin | 1.85% | $4,027 |
Wyoming | 0.61% | $1,319 |
Property Tax in Each State: Lowest to Highest Property Taxes
Your mailing address is more than just what you put on an envelope — it also is an indicator of what your taxes will look like when it comes to the amount due, homestead exemptions or even tax credits. Here is a breakdown of property tax rates for all 50 states, in addition to the District of Columbia, ranked from lowest to highest.
State | Average State Tax Rate | Average Annual Property Tax |
|---|---|---|
Hawaii | 0.28% | $606 |
Alabama | 0.41% | $895 |
Colorado | 0.51% | $1,113 |
Louisiana | 0.55% | $1,187 |
District of Columbia | 0.56% | $1,221 |
South Carolina | 0.57% | $1,238 |
Delaware | 0.57% | $1,240 |
West Virginia | 0.58% | $1,269 |
Nevada | 0.60% | $1,310 |
Wyoming | 0.61% | $1,319 |
Arkansas | 0.62% | $1,358 |
Utah | 0.63% | $1,362 |
Arizona | 0.66% | $1,446 |
Idaho | 0.69% | $1,492 |
Tennessee | 0.71% | $1,548 |
California | 0.76% | $1,644 |
New Mexico | 0.80% | $1,740 |
Mississippi | 0.81% | $1,751 |
Virginia | 0.82% | $1,779 |
Montana | 0.84% | $1,818 |
North Carolina | 0.84% | $1,833 |
Indiana | 0.85% | $1,853 |
Kentucky | 0.86% | $1,866 |
Florida | 0.89% | $1,934 |
Oklahoma | 0.90% | $1,952 |
Georgia | 0.92% | $2,006 |
Missouri | 0.97% | $2,111 |
Oregon | 0.97% | $2,116 |
North Dakota | 0.98% | $2,138 |
Washington | 0.98% | $2,134 |
Maryland | 1.09% | $2,370 |
Minnesota | 1.12% | $2,429 |
Alaska | 1.19% | $2,599 |
Massachusetts | 1.23% | $2,667 |
South Dakota | 1.31% | $2,857 |
Maine | 1.36% | $2,953 |
Kansas | 1.41% | $3,060 |
Michigan | 1.54% | $3,343 |
Ohio | 1.56% | $3,390 |
Iowa | 1.57% | $3,407 |
Pennsylvania | 1.58% | $3,442 |
Rhode Island | 1.63% | $3,548 |
New York | 1.72% | $3,749 |
Nebraska | 1.73% | $3,754 |
Texas | 1.80% | $3,907 |
Wisconsin | 1.85% | $4,027 |
Vermont | 1.90% | $4,135 |
Connecticut | 2.14% | $4,658 |
New Hampshire | 2.18% | $4,738 |
Illinois | 2.27% | $4,942 |
New Jersey | 2.49% | $5,419 |
Final Take
Knowing that your property taxes are calculated based on your local tax rate and your property’s value will help you do some important calculations when it comes to home ownership and balancing your budget. The fewer surprises, the better when it comes time to pay your taxes.
FAQ
What state has the lowest property tax?
Hawaii, at an average tax rate of 0.28%, currently has the lowest property tax rate of all the 50 states, though real estate prices are another story, as they are well above average and land on the expensive side.
Which state has the highest property tax rate?
New Jersey, at an average local tax rate of 2.49%, has the highest property tax rate in the U.S.
Which U.S. state has no property tax?
Unfortunately, there are no states without property tax, though there are some states with no income tax: Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington and Wyoming.
How do I look up my property tax?
Your county government website should have the information you need regarding your property tax rate. If you can't find the tax rate online, try calling your local treasurer's office.
This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Property Tax in Each State
