Compare property tax rates across all 50 US states. Find the highest and lowest property tax states.
Ranking from highest to lowest average effective property tax rate.
| Rank | State | Tax Rate (%) | Avg. Tax Bill | Details |
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Property tax rates vary dramatically across the United States. New Jersey has the highest average effective property tax rate at 2.49%, while Hawaii has the lowest at 0.48%. This means a homeowner in New Jersey pays over 5 times more in property taxes than a homeowner in Hawaii, relative to their home value.
States with high property taxes often rely heavily on property taxes to fund local services, especially education. New Jersey, Illinois, and Connecticut have high property taxes because they fund schools primarily through local property taxes rather than state income or sales taxes. Additionally, these states tend to have higher home values, which increases the total tax bill even if the rate is similar.
No U.S. state has zero property tax. However, some states have very low effective rates. Hawaii (0.48%), Alabama (0.72%), and Louisiana (0.70%) have the lowest rates. Note that while the rate may be low, the actual tax bill also depends on home values. A $1 million home in Hawaii will still incur $4,800 in annual property taxes.
Use the table above to compare your state's property tax rate with neighboring states or states you're considering moving to. Keep in mind that these are average effective rates—your actual rate may be higher or lower depending on your local county, school district, and eligible exemptions. For a personalized estimate, use our Property Tax Calculator.