When you’re a homeowner, there are so many things you have to pay for, like surprise repairs, basic maintenance, and, of course, property taxes. And just like all other home-related expenses, property taxes can vary widely depending on where you live.
Here are the 10 best and 10 worst states for property taxes — and how much you might spend per year, according to data gathered from ATTOM, a curator of land, property, and real estate data.
Living in New Hampshire, the cradle of New England, can seem idyllic until you look at property taxes. The average property tax rate is 1.25%. The average homeowner will pay $7,172 a year in property taxes, which comes out to almost $600 per month.
When it comes to expensive states for homeowners, the state of Kansas doesn’t often come to mind. But it has an average property tax rate of 1.26%. Fortunately for homeowners, typical home prices in Kansas are still low so the average annual property tax bill is only $3,463. That’s much lower than what you might pay in other states.
Known as the Green Mountain State, Vermont may be famous for its luscious woods. However, you could also call it “the property tax state.” Its property tax rate is 1.29%. A typical homeowner might pay around $6,000 a year in property taxes — ouch.
As one of the most populated states in the country, Pennsylvania doesn’t seem like it would be an expensive place to live. Unfortunately, it can be if you’re a homeowner. The average property tax rate is 1.33%, which means that the average homeowner pays $4,187 in property taxes every year.
The Midwest has a reputation for being affordable, but Ohio is a slight outlier when it comes to property tax rates. It has an average property tax rate of 1.59% — which is higher than more expensive states, like New York or Connecticut.
It would probably surprise most people to learn that the state of Nebraska has the same average property tax rate as New York — 1.46%. That’s a shocking figure. But consider this — the typical home in the Cornhusker State costs only about $286,840, so you’d only end up owing $4,183 in property taxes annually.
Most people know that New York City is an expensive place to live, but the rest of the state is no picnic either. In the Empire State, you would pay a 1.46% average property tax rate. That would equal almost $8,000 a year — or about $666 a month — on average.
Connecticut is known for being an expensive place to live. And that’s especially true if you’re a homeowner. Known as the Constitution State, Connecticut has an average property tax rate of 1.54%. The average homeowner will pay $8,022 in property taxes every year.
The Garden State is known for being the most densely populated state in the country, but it’s also one of the most expensive for homeowners. The average property tax rate is 1.64%. The average homeowner will pay $9,488 a year in property taxes.
The Land of Lincoln doesn’t seem like it would be the obvious choice for the highest property tax rate in the country, but it is. The effective tax rate is 1.88%. The average annual tax on the state’s average home ($298,054) is $5,600 — or about $467 per month.
Arizona has become a haven for people who want sun without the hassle of hurricanes or tropical storms. It’s also perfect for homeowners on a budget. The average property tax rate is 0.56%, one of the lowest rates in the country. The average homeowner will pay around $1,707 - more than $1,000 less than the national average.
John Denver sang about West Virginia for many reasons — and property tax rates should have been one of them. The Mountain State has an average property tax rate of 0.57%. A typical homeowner will pay only $809 in property taxes each year — the lowest total amount in the country.
Unlike other South Atlantic region states, Delaware has a low overall property tax rate at 0.55%. If you’re a homeowner in the first state in the union, you’ll pay about $1,600 a year in property taxes.
If you love skiing and hiking, you’ll love living in Utah. Another great part of living in the Beehive State? Low property taxes. Utah residents only pay a 0.55% property tax rate with an average total property tax bill of $2,241.
Down in the bayou, it’s easy to enjoy a slower pace of life. Another thing that’s easy to enjoy? Low property tax rates. Louisiana has an average property tax of 0.55%. Homeowners in the Pelican State will pay an average of $1,087 annually in property taxes.
Living on the East Coast near the beach sounds perfect. What makes it even better? A low property tax rate. The Palmetto State has an average property tax rate of 0.57% — one of the best in the country.
If you love gambling, you might love living in Nevada, home to casinos in Las Vegas and Reno. However, you might also enjoy living with low property tax rates. How low? The average property tax rate is 0.50%. On average, a typical Nevada homeowner spends about $1,884 in property taxes every year.
Home to the Rocky Mountains, Colorado is one of the most beautiful states in the country. It’s also home to some of the lowest property tax rates in the nation, at 0.49%. Unfortunately, with median home values close to $465,000, you could still wind up paying a hefty amount in total property taxes.
If you love SEC football and good ole’ country cooking, then you’ll love Alabama. Another reason to love the Cotton State? Low property tax rates. It has the second-lowest overall property tax rate in the country — 0.39%.
If you had to guess which state in the country had the lowest property tax rate, it’s unlikely that you’d guess correctly. The answer? Hawaii. The Aloha State boasts the lowest overall property tax rate — 0.27%. But don’t get confused. Hawaii is still one of the most expensive states in the country to live in.
