If you're concerned about long-term wealth, property tax rates can help you figure out where to move or retire. So which states have the highest and lowest property taxes? What about specific counties within those states?
Property tax rates are complicated, but we've made some calculations to summarize them here. It's important to remember that the rates below may not reflect your actual property taxes, which depend on many factors.
Different types of properties have different tax rates, for example, and cities, counties, and school districts all set tax rates. But the figures below average statewide figures to give you a general idea. Let's start with the average property tax by state.
Methodology
Effective property tax rates are calculated by dividing the median real estate tax paid by the median home value reported in the 2024 American Community Survey (ACS), the most recent data available.
Property taxes by state
Property taxes by state
Here’s the effective property tax rate of each state, alongside the median property taxes paid and median home value.
Alabama property tax
- Effective property tax rate: 0.40%
- Median home value: $266,900
- Median real estate tax paid: $1,064
The counties in Alabama with the highest effective property tax rate are Jefferson County (0.57%), Shelby County (0.49%), and Mobile County (0.46%). The counties with the lowest effective property tax rates in Alabama are Walker County (0.21%), Cullman County (0.25%), and Elmore County (0.3%).
Alaska property tax
- Effective property tax rate: 1.03%
- Median home value: $398,200
- Median real estate tax paid: $4,117
Anchorage Municipality has the highest effective property tax rate in Alaska (1.22%), followed by Fairbanks North Star Borough (1.06%), and Matanuska-Susitna Borough (1%).
Arizona property tax
- Effective property tax rate: 0.42%
- Median home value: $453,500
- Median real estate tax paid: $1,918
The counties with the highest effective property tax rates in Arizona are Pima County (0.65%), Yuma County (0.58%), and Cochise County (0.53%). The counties with the lowest effective property tax rates are Coconino County (0.36%), Mohave County (0.37%), and Yavapai County (0.37%).
Arkansas property tax
- Effective property tax rate: 0.54%
- Median home value: $244,200
- Median real estate tax paid: $1,308
The counties in Arkansas with the highest effective property tax rates are Pulaski County (0.76%), Jefferson County (0.69%), and Sebastian County (0.57%). The counties with the lowest effective property tax rates are Garland County (0.42%), White County (0.45%), and Faulkner County (0.51%).
California property tax
- Effective property tax rate: 0.77%
- Median home value: $788,100
- Median real estate tax paid: $6,071
The counties in California with the highest effective property tax rates are Yuba County (0.95%), Contra Costa County (0.93%), and Kern County (0.92%). The counties with the lowest effective property tax rates are Tehama County (0.63%), Santa Barbara County (0.65%), and Orange County (0.67%).
Colorado property tax
- Effective property tax rate: 0.50%
- Median home value: $586,700
- Median real estate tax paid: $2,928
The counties in Colorado with the highest effective property tax rates are Douglas County (0.62%), Adams County (0.61%), and Broomfield County (59%). The counties with the lowest effective property tax rates are Mesa County (0.4%), El Paso County (0.44%), and Denver County (0.49%).
Connecticut property tax
- Effective property tax rate: 1.63%
- Median home value: $410,800
- Median real estate tax paid: $6,688
The counties in Connecticut with the highest effective property tax rates are Capitol Planning Region (1.74%), Naugatuck Valley Planning Region (1.74%), and South Central Connecticut Planning Region (1.74%). The counties with the lowest effective property tax rates are Northeastern Connecticut Planning Region (1.23%), Western Connecticut Planning Region (1.35%), and Southeastern Connecticut Planning Region (1.41%).
Delaware property tax
- Effective property tax rate: 0.49%
- Median home value: $377,500
- Median real estate tax paid: $1,852
Delaware’s effective property tax rates by county are as follows: New Castle County (0.68%), Kent County (0.42%), and Sussex County (0.32%).
District of Columbia property tax
- Effective property tax rate: 0.65%
- Median home value: $731,100
- Median real estate tax paid: $4,745
Florida property tax
- Effective property tax rate: 0.80%
- Median home value: $421,300
- Median real estate tax paid: $3,353
The counties in Florida with the highest effective property tax rates are St. Lucie County (1.07%), Broward County (1.00%), and Alachua County (0.93%). The counties with the lowest effective property tax rates are Walton County (0.53%), Monroe County (0.56%), and Collier County (0.57%).
Georgia property tax
- Effective property tax rate: 0.81%
- Median home value: $366,900
- Median real estate tax paid: $2,957
The counties in Georgia with the highest effective property tax rates are Dougherty County (1.21%), Liberty County (1.12%), and Clayton County (1.02%). The counties with the lowest effective property tax rates are Glynn County (0.56%), Catoosa County (0.57%), and Carroll County (0.65%).
Hawaii property tax
- Effective property tax rate: 0.27%
- Median home value: $887,100
- Median real estate tax paid: $2,358
Property tax rates in Hawaii are as follows: Honolulu County (0.29%), Hawaii County (0.25%), Kauai County (0.23%), and Maui County (0.14%)
Idaho property tax
- Effective property tax rate: 0.43%
- Median home value: $453,400
- Median real estate tax paid: $1,942
The counties in Idaho with the highest effective property tax rates are Twin Falls County (0.52%), Bannock County (0.51%), and Canyon County (0.48%). The counties with the lowest effective property tax rates are Kootenai County (0.36%), Ada County (0.44%), and Bonneville County (0.45%).
Illinois property tax
- Effective property tax rate: 1.96%
- Median home value: $301,700
- Median real estate tax paid: $5,901
The highest effective property tax rates in Illinois are in Lake County (2.50%), DeKalb County (2.30%), and Peoria/Rock Island Counties (2.28%). The lowest effective property tax rates are in St. Clair County (1.73%), Madison County (1.79%), and Williamson County (1.86%).
Indiana property tax
- Effective property tax rate: 0.73%
- Median home value: $258,100
- Median real estate tax paid: $1,882
The counties in Indiana with the highest effective property tax rates are Marion County (0.92%), Lake County (0.92%), and St. Joseph County (0.88%). The counties with the lowest effective property tax rates are Morgan County (0.49%), Kosciusko County (0.59%), and Tippecanoe County (0.63%).
Iowa property tax
- Effective property tax rate: 1.31%
- Median home value: $237,500
- Median real estate tax paid: $3,113
The counties in Iowa with the highest effective property tax rates are Linn County (1.57%), Polk County (1.50%), and Johnson County (1.48%). The counties with the lowest effective property tax rates are Dubuque County (1.11%), Story County (1.28%), and Scott County (1.32%).
Kansas property tax
- Effective property tax rate: 1.23%
- Median home value: $270,000
- Median real estate tax paid: $3,329
The counties in Kansas with the highest effective property tax rates are Riley County (1.53%), Butler County (1.48%), and Shawnee County (1.41%). The counties with the lowest effective property tax rates are Johnson County (1.07%), Sedgwick County (1.12%), and Douglas County (1.24%).
Kentucky property tax
- Effective property tax rate: 0.73%
- Median home value: $255,500
- Median real estate tax paid: $1,872
The counties in Kentucky with the highest effective property tax rates are Campbell County (1.00%), Kenton County (0.92%), and Oldham County (0.89%). The counties with the lowest effective property tax rates are Christian County (0.55%), Pulaski County (0.57%), and Hardin/Warren Counties (0.62%).
Louisiana property tax
- Effective property tax rate: 0.58%
- Median home value: $250,900
- Median real estate tax paid: $1,451
The counties in Louisiana with the highest effective property tax rates are Orleans Parish (0.95%), East Baton Rouge Parish (0.75%), and St. Tammany Parish (0.71%). The counties with the lowest effective property tax rates are Tangipahoa Parish (0.32%), St. Landry Parish (0.33%), and Terrebonne/Iberia Parishes (0.40%).
Maine property tax
- Effective property tax rate: 0.91%
- Median home value: $365,900
- Median real estate tax paid: $3,318
The counties in Maine with the highest effective property tax rates are Aroostook County (1.06%), Kennebec County (1.01%), and Penobscot County (0.98%). The counties with the lowest effective property tax rates are York County (0.85%), Androscoggin County (0.91%), and Cumberland County (0.94%).
Maryland property tax
- Effective property tax rate: 0.95%
- Median home value: $449,300
- Median real estate tax paid: $4,255
The counties in Maryland with the highest effective property tax rates are Baltimore City (1.39%), Prince George's County (1.12%), and Howard County (1.09%). The counties with the lowest effective property tax rates are Wicomico County (0.71%), Calvert County (0.75%), and Washington County (0.76%).
Massachusetts property tax
- Effective property tax rate: 0.99%
- Median home value: $617,100
- Median real estate tax paid: $6,089
The counties in Massachusetts with the highest effective property tax rates are Franklin County (1.37%), Hampshire County (1.36%), and Hampden County (1.34%). The counties with the lowest effective property tax rates are Barnstable County (0.62%), Suffolk County (0.65%), and Essex County (0.98%).
Michigan property tax
- Effective property tax rate: 1.19%
- Median home value: $275,100
- Median real estate tax paid: $3,264
The counties in Michigan with the highest effective property tax rates are Ingham County (1.82%), Wayne County (1.55%), and Saginaw County (1.48%). The counties with the lowest effective property tax rates are Grand Traverse County (0.74%), Montcalm County (0.91%), and Allegan County (1.00%).
Minnesota property tax
- Effective property tax rate: 1.02%
- Median home value: $356,100
- Median real estate tax paid: $3,615
The counties in Minnesota with the highest effective property tax rates are Ramsey County (1.25%), Hennepin County (1.16%), and Clay County (1.16%). The counties with the lowest effective property tax rates are Crow Wing County (0.70%), Anoka County (0.94%), and Carver County (0.98%).
Mississippi property tax
- Effective property tax rate: 0.64%
- Median home value: $231,000
- Median real estate tax paid: $1,482
The counties in Mississippi with the highest effective property tax rates are Hinds County (0.83%), Lee County (0.82%), and Forrest County (0.78%). The counties with the lowest effective property tax rates are Jones County (0.55%), DeSoto County (0.55%), and Rankin County (0.62%).
Missouri property tax
- Effective property tax rate: 0.82%
- Median home value: $273,900
- Median real estate tax paid: $2,255
The counties in Missouri with the highest effective property tax rates are Jackson County (1.10%), St. Louis County (1.09%), and Clay County (1.04%). The counties with the lowest effective property tax rates are St. Francois County (0.62%), Cape Girardeau County (0.62%), and Cole County (0.63%).
Montana property tax
- Effective property tax rate: 0.68%
- Median home value: $459,000
- Median real estate tax paid: $3,143
The counties in Montana with the highest effective property tax rates are Cascade County (0.87%), Missoula County (0.84%), and Yellowstone County (0.80%). The counties with the lowest effective property tax rates are Flathead County (0.53%), Gallatin County (0.65%), and Lewis and Clark County (0.77%).
Nebraska property tax
- Effective property tax rate: 1.43%
- Median home value: $276,900
- Median real estate tax paid: $3,966
Effective property tax rates in Nebraska are as follows: Sarpy County (1.67%), Douglas County (1.66%), and Lancaster County (1.43%)
Nevada property tax
- Effective property tax rate: 0.48%
- Median home value: $465,300
- Median real estate tax paid: $2,220
Effective property tax rates in Nevada are as follows: Clark County (0.49%), Washoe County (0.44%).
New Hampshire property tax
- Effective property tax rate: 1.44%
- Median home value: $478,400
- Median real estate tax paid: $6,909
The counties in New Hampshire with the highest effective property tax rates are Cheshire County (1.74%), Merrimack County (1.59%), and Strafford County (1.57%). The counties with the lowest effective property tax rates are Belknap County (1.14%), Rockingham County (1.35%), and Hillsborough County (1.48%).
New Jersey property tax
- Effective property tax rate: 1.85%
- Median home value: $510,900
- Median real estate tax paid: $9,435
The counties in New Jersey with the highest effective property tax rates are Salem County (2.40%), Camden County (2.26%), and Gloucester County (2.12%). The counties with the lowest effective property tax rates are Cape May County (1.07%), Ocean County (1.40%), and Hudson County (1.60%).
New Mexico property tax
- Effective property tax rate: 0.68%
- Median home value: $316,400
- Median real estate tax paid: $2,153
The counties in New Mexico with the highest effective property tax rates are Lea County (0.85%), Bernalillo County (0.83%), and McKinley County (0.74%). The counties with the lowest effective property tax rates are Santa Fe County (0.48%), Otero County (0.51%), and Doña Ana/San Juan Counties (0.58%).
New York property tax
- Effective property tax rate: 1.43%
- Median home value: $480,200
- Median real estate tax paid: $6,877
The counties in New York with the highest effective property tax rates are Broome County (2.44%), Monroe County (2.36%), and Chemung County (2.35%). The counties with the lowest effective property tax rates are Kings County (0.69%), Bronx County (0.87%), and Queens County (0.86%).
North Carolina property tax rate
- Effective property tax rate: 0.63%
- Median home value: $362,800
- Median real estate tax paid: $2,285
The counties in North Carolina with the highest effective property tax rates are Cumberland County (0.83%), Robeson County (0.81%), and Wilson County (0.79%). The counties with the lowest effective property tax rates are Carteret County (0.40%), Stanly County (0.46%), and Wilkes County (0.47%).
North Dakota property tax rate
- Effective property tax rate: 0.98%
- Median home value: $299,700
- Median real estate tax paid: $2,946
The counties in North Dakota with the highest effective property tax rates are Cass County (1.19%), Grand Forks County (1.11%), and Ward County (1.09%). Burleigh County (0.89%) has the lowest effective property tax rate.
Ohio property tax
- Effective property tax rate: 1.23%
- Median home value: $256,200
- Median real estate tax paid: $3,156
The counties in Ohio with the highest effective property tax rates are Cuyahoga County (1.80%), Montgomery County (1.56%), and Delaware County (1.55%). The counties with the lowest effective property tax rates are Muskingum County (0.82%), Hancock County (0.86%), and Columbiana/Miami Counties (0.87%).
Oklahoma property tax
- Effective property tax rate: 0.84%
- Median home value: $247,100
- Median real estate tax paid: $2,068
The counties in Oklahoma with the highest effective property tax rates are Cleveland County (0.98%), Oklahoma County (0.95%), and Tulsa County (0.94%). The counties with the lowest effective property tax rates are Pottawatomie County (0.67%), Creek County (0.70%), and Muskogee County (0.74%).
Oregon property tax
- Effective property tax rate: 0.77%
- Median home value: $520,000
- Median real estate tax paid: $4,023
The counties in Oregon with the highest effective property tax rates are Multnomah County (0.96%), Benton County (0.86%), and Washington County (0.83%). The counties with the lowest effective property tax rates are Josephine County (0.52%), Klamath County (0.56%), and Deschutes/Douglas Counties (0.57%).
Pennsylvania property tax
- Effective property tax rate: 1.18%
- Median home value: $301,200
- Median real estate tax paid: $3,569
The counties in Pennsylvania with the highest effective property tax rates are Delaware County (1.72%), York County (1.49%), and Berks County (1.48%). The counties with the lowest effective property tax rates are Philadelphia County (0.83%), Somerset County (0.84%), and Mercer County (0.91%).
Rhode Island property tax
- Effective property tax rate: 1.10%
- Median home value: $453,900
- Median real estate tax paid: $4,984
The counties in Rhode Island with the highest effective property tax rates are Kent County (1.26%), Providence County (1.11%), and Washington County (0.91%). Newport County (0.78%) has the lowest effective property tax rate.
South Carolina property tax
- Effective property tax rate: 0.46%
- Median home value: $338,200
- Median real estate tax paid: $1,559
The counties in South Carolina with the highest effective property tax rates are Orangeburg County (0.67%), Richland County (0.59%), and Sumter County (0.57%). The counties with the lowest effective property tax rates are Charleston County (0.32%), Horry County (0.34%), and Oconee County (0.35%).
South Dakota property tax
- Effective property tax rate: 1.02%
- Median home value: $315,100
- Median real estate tax paid: $3,220
South Dakota property tax rates by county are as follows: Lincoln County (1.30%), Minnehaha County (1.13%), and Pennington County (0.97%).
Tennessee property tax
- Effective property tax rate: 0.46%
- Median home value: $360,700
- Median real estate tax paid: $1,661
The counties in Tennessee with the highest effective property tax rates are Shelby County (0.91%), Davidson County (0.55%), and Hamilton County (0.53%). The counties with the lowest effective property tax rates are Sevier County (0.26%), Cumberland County (0.28%), and Williamson County (0.34%).
Texas property tax
- Effective property tax rate: 1.49%
- Median home value: $353,300
- Median real estate tax paid: $5,273
The counties in Texas with the highest effective property tax rates are El Paso County (1.94%), Brazoria County (1.82%), and San Patricio County (1.82%). The counties with the lowest effective property tax rates are Harrison County (0.72%), Nacogdoches County (0.78%), and Angelina County (0.85%).
Utah property tax
- Effective property tax rate: 0.48%
- Median home value: $553,400
- Median real estate tax paid: $2,638
The counties in Utah with the highest effective property tax rates are Weber County (0.60%), Tooele County (0.57%), and Salt Lake County (0.49%). The counties with the lowest effective property tax rates are Washington County (0.38%), Cache County (0.41%), and Iron County (0.42%).
Vermont property tax
- Effective property tax rate: 1.44%
- Median home value: $365,300
- Median real estate tax paid: $5,260
The effective property tax rate in Chittenden County is 1.38%.
Virginia property tax
- Effective property tax rate: 0.71%
- Median home value: $434,800
- Median real estate tax paid: $3,100
The counties in Virginia with the highest effective property tax rates are Portsmouth city (1.09%), Richmond city (1.00%), and Fairfax County (0.98%). The counties with the lowest effective property tax rates are Bedford County (0.37%), Frederick County (0.41%), and Augusta County (0.43%).
Washington property tax
- Effective property tax rate: 0.77%
- Median home value: $621,400
- Median real estate tax paid: $4,814
The counties in Washington with the highest effective property tax rates are Grant County (0.93%), Pierce County (0.86%), and Spokane County (0.84%). The counties with the lowest effective property tax rates are Mason County (0.62%), Lewis County (0.63%), and Island County (0.66%).
Related retirement topics
West Virginia property tax
- Effective property tax rate: 0.54%
- Median home value: $210,700
- Median real estate tax paid: $1,134
The counties in West Virginia with the highest effective property tax rates are Kanawha County (0.68%), Wood County (0.64%), and Cabell County (0.60%). The counties with the lowest effective property tax rates are Monongalia County (0.47%), Berkeley County (0.49%), and Raleigh County (0.54%).
Wisconsin property tax
- Effective property tax rate: 1.23%
- Median home value: $307,700
- Median real estate tax paid: $3,796
The counties in Wisconsin with the highest effective property tax rates are Milwaukee County (1.67%), Dane County (1.46%), and Winnebago County (1.46%). The counties with the lowest effective property tax rates are Washington County (0.92%), Waukesha County (1.00%), and Ozaukee County (1.02%).
Wyoming property tax
- Effective property tax rate: 0.57%
- Median home value: $357,600
- Median real estate tax paid: $2,042
The effective property tax rates in Wyoming by county are as follows: Laramie County (0.57%) and Natrona County (0.52%).
Counties with the highest property tax rates
New York, New Jersey, and Illinois are home to the counties with the most expensive property tax rates. No other state has any counties in the top 10.
Interestingly, the counties with the highest property tax rates don't have particularly expensive homes.
County | State | Median property tax | Median home value | Effective property tax rate |
---|---|---|---|---|
Lake County | Illinois | $9,591 | $383,700 | 2.50% |
Broome County | New York | $4,089 | $167,300 | 2.4% |
Salem County | New Jersey | $7,191 | $299,300 | 2.4% |
Monroe County | New York | $5,886 | $249,100 | 2.4% |
Chemung County | New York | $3,919 | $166,600 | 2.4% |
Steuben County | New York | $3,623 | $154,200 | 2.3% |
Wayne County | New York | $4,564 | $195,400 | 2.3% |
Dekalb County | Illinois | $6,053 | $263,100 | 2.3% |
St. Lawrence County | New York | $3,603 | $157,000 | 2.3% |
Peoria County | Illinois | $4,259 | $186,600 | 2.28% |
Counties with the lowest property tax rates
For the most part, Hawaii has high property taxes -- its fifth highest in the United States. It's also home to many of the counties with the lowest effective property tax rates.
Counties from Alabama, Tennessee, and South Carolina make up the rest of the list of counties with the lowest effective property tax rates.
County | State | Median property tax | Median home value | Effective property tax rate |
---|---|---|---|---|
Maui County | Hawaii | $1,541 | $1,063,200 | 0.1% |
Kauai County | Hawaii | $2,199 | $939,500 | 0.2% |
Cullman County | Alabama | $647 | $257,900 | 0.3% |
Hawaii County | Hawaii | $1,626 | $640,800 | 0.3% |
Sevier County | Tennessee | $955 | $371,700 | 0.3% |
Honolulu County | Hawaii | $2,610 | $909,800 | 0.3% |
Elmore County | Alabama | $754 | $249,300 | 0.3% |
Tuscaloosa County | Alabama | $902 | $291,500 | 0.3% |
Talladega County | Alabama | $646 | $204,800 | 0.3% |
Charleston County | South Carolina | $1,967 | $620,600 | 0.3% |
Planning for property taxes
Understanding your likely property tax burden can be important if you're looking for the best state to retire to or just considering a move somewhere else in the country. The above figures are generalizations, but they can help you get an idea of what most people pay.
If you're looking at property taxes by state to decide where you'll retire, be sure to check out our retirement planning guide for tips on saving strategies, retirement plans, investing, and more.
FAQs
FAQs
What are the states with the highest property tax?
The states with the highest effective property tax rates are Illinois (1.96%), New Jersey (1.85%), Connecticut (1.63%), Texas (1.49%), and New Hampshire (1.44%).
What are the states with the lowest property tax?
The states with the lowest effective property tax rates are Hawaii (0.27%), Alabama (0.40%), Arizona (0.42%), Idaho (0.43%), and Tennessee (0.46%).
Are there any states with no property tax?
There are no states without property taxes. There are, however, large portions of Alaska with no property taxes. While Alaska has property taxes in some areas, much of the landmass of the state doesn't because of its sparse population.
Sources
- U.S. Census Bureau (2025). American Community Survey, Table S2506, Financial Characteristics for Housing Units With a Mortgage.