Property taxes are paid by those who own land or other real estate in a locality, and the rate of taxation varies depending on where you live. Payments can range from a few hundred dollars a year to the equivalent of a second mortgage. In 2023, the average annual property tax bill in the United States was $4,062, according to numbers collected by real estate data firm ATTOM. This was a 4.1% increase from 2022, following a 3% increase from 2021.
Property taxes are a vital source of funding for 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:local governments. They are used to pay for roads, buses, schools, parks, rec centers, libraries, firefighters, police, and many other local public works. But how well these things are funded depends on where you live. In 2023, states in the South and West of the United States had the lowest effective property tax rates, while the highest were found in the Midwest an🌌d Northeast.
Key Takeaways
- State and local governments levy property taxes to pay for local public works such as schools, roads, firefighters, and police.
- Property taxes are calculated as a percentage of the assessed value of a property, including both land and structures on the land.
- Lower property tax rates make it less expensive to own a big house on a large piece of land.
- In 2023, the highest property tax rates were found in the Midwest and Northeast. The lowest ones were in the South and West, as well as in Hawaii.
- Your property taxes can be reduced if you qualify for individual credits or exemptions offered by your state.
Where to Find the Lowest Property Tax Rates
Most property taxes are levied by local (city, school districts, and counties) rather than state governments. While higher property taxes do make 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:homeownership more expensive, they also generally go along with better fundin♔g for local services. Because these taxes are raised and spent locally, homeowners can generally see exactly what their taxes are funding.
However, if you're interested in buying a larger-than-average house or owning a significant piece of land, you may be looking for the states with the lowest effective property tax.
Where the Data Come From
- Effective property tax rates: 2023 rates as compiled by ATTOM
- Typical home values: Values as of January 2025 from Zillow’s Home Value Index (ZHVI)
1. Hawaii: 0.31%
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Warren Bolster/Getty Images
- Effective Property Tax Rate: 0.31%
- Typical Home Value: $831,305.17
- Annual Property Taxes Based on Typical Home Value: $2,577.05
In 2023, the effective property tax rate in Hawaii was the lowest in the United States. However, the state's 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:median home price was the highest in the nation in January 2025. ✨As a result, even with a low effective tax rate, the actual property tax bill homeowners owe can still be significant.
Tip
In addition to researching property tax rates, take time to find the best 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:mortgage rate available before buying a home.
2. Arizona: 0.41%
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- Effective Property Tax Rate: 0.41%
- Typical Home Value: $424,841.80
- Annual Property Taxes Based on Typical Home Value: $1,741.85
The property tax rate in Arizona is one of the lowest in the country. However, the typical home value in Arizona is higher than the median cost of a home in the U.S., which was $355,328 in January 2025. As a result, many homeowners could still have larger property tax bills than those in states with a hཧigher effective rate.
3. Alabama: 0.42%
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澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Jim McKinley / Getty Images
- Effective Property Tax Rate: 0.42%
- Typical Home Value: $224,910.79
- Annual Property Taxes Based on Typical Home Value: $944.63
Alabama's effective property tax rate might be higher than that of Hawaii and Arizona, but its typical home value is significantly lower. As a result, the average homeowner's actual property tax bill is also much lower.
Important
Alabama is generally an affordable state to live in: it had the fifth-lowest cost of living in the United States in 2024. However, it also has a higher poverty rate than many states. In 2023, 15.6% of people in Alabama lived in poverty.
4. Delaware: 0.43%
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澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Walter Bibikow/Getty Images
- Effective Property Tax Rate: 0.43%
- Typical Home Value: $380,840.16
- Annual Property Taxes Based on Typical Home Value: $1,637.61
The typical home value in Delaware is close to the national average. As a result, the total property tax bill that an average homeowner would pay in Delaware is right in the middle of this list. In addition to low property tax rates, Delaware also has no state sales tax.
5. Tennessee: 0.44%
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Sean Pavone/Getty Images
- Effective Property Tax Rate: 0.44%
- Typical Home Value: $318,456.50
- Annual Property Taxes Based on Typical Home Value: $1,401.21
澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Tennessee is an affordable state to live in, with a cost of living that is the 11th lowest in the U.S. With a low property tax rate and home values below the national average, homeowners' property tax bills are also relatively low compared to those in other states, even those with lower effective property tax rates. However, like Alabama, Tennessee also has a relatively high poverty rate of 14%, which is higher than the U.S. median poverty rate of 12.5%.
The Bottom Line
Property taxes are assessed primarily by local governments and used to fund public works such as roads, schools, police, firefighters, and parks. These taxes are calculated as a percentage of a property's assessed value.
In some areas, homeowners who meet certain criteria can qualify for 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:property tax exemptions. These may be offered by the local jurisdiction, as well as by the state or county. One example is the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:homestead exemption, which limits property tax to being l🧔evied only on a portion of your property value if you meet cert♑ain income or age requirements. Other exemptions may be offered to veterans, homeowners with disabilities, or those who make certain renovations.
These exemptions aꦿre no🔥t automatically applied and must be claimed by the homeowners.