The property tax comparison by state tool shows estimated annual property taxes for all 50 states based on your home value. Enter your home's value to instantly see how each state's effective property tax rate translates into actual dollars.
Property Tax by State
Based on effective property tax rates (state + local average) — Source: Tax Foundation
| State | Effective Rate | Est. Annual Tax |
|---|
Understanding Property Tax Rates by State
Property taxes vary enormously by state — and within states by county and municipality. A $400,000 home in New Jersey might cost $8,000+ per year in property taxes, while the same home in Hawaii might cost under $2,000.
How Effective Tax Rate Is Calculated
The effective property tax rate is calculated by dividing actual property taxes paid by the market value of the home. This accounts for differences in how states assess homes — some states assess at 100% of market value, others at a lower percentage, then apply a higher mill rate.
High Tax States
New Jersey leads with effective rates often exceeding 2.2% of home value. For a $400,000 home, that's $8,800+ per year in property taxes alone. Illinois, Connecticut, and New Hampshire also rank high. These states often have higher incomes and strong public services funded by property taxes.
Low Tax States
Hawaii has the lowest effective property tax rate (~0.3%), which can seem surprising given high home prices. Alabama, Colorado, and Nevada also have low effective rates. However, low-tax states may fund local services through other revenue sources.
FAQ
Is this property tax comparison free?
Yes, completely free with no signup required. All calculations run locally in your browser.
Is my data private?
Absolutely. All calculations happen in your browser. No data is sent to any server.
Which states have the highest property taxes?
New Jersey, Illinois, Connecticut, New Hampshire, and Vermont consistently have the highest effective property tax rates, typically above 2% of home value annually.
Which states have the lowest property taxes?
Hawaii, Alabama, Colorado, Nevada, and Utah have some of the lowest effective property tax rates, often under 0.5% of home value annually.
How is property tax calculated?
Property tax is typically calculated by multiplying your home's assessed value by the local mill rate (tax rate per $1,000 of value). Assessed value may be less than market value depending on the state's assessment ratio.
Can I appeal my property tax assessment?
Yes. Most jurisdictions allow homeowners to appeal their property tax assessment if they believe the assessed value is too high. The Property Tax Appeal Guide provides information on the process.