Browse property taxes by state
Counties with the highest median property taxes
| County | Median tax paid | Median home value | Derived rate* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marin County, CA | $10,001 | $1,390,000 | 0.72% |
| Bergen County, NJ | $10,001 | $593,200 | 1.69% |
| Essex County, NJ | $10,001 | $494,400 | 2.02% |
| Hunterdon County, NJ | $10,001 | $498,800 | 2.00% |
| Monmouth County, NJ | $10,001 | $566,500 | 1.76% |
| Morris County, NJ | $10,001 | $557,000 | 1.80% |
| Passaic County, NJ | $10,001 | $439,400 | 2.28% |
| Somerset County, NJ | $10,001 | $523,900 | 1.91% |
| Union County, NJ | $10,001 | $488,800 | 2.05% |
| Nassau County, NY | $10,001 | $658,700 | 1.52% |
Counties with the lowest median property taxes
| County | Median tax paid | Median home value | Derived rate* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oglala Lakota County, SD | $199 | $45,600 | 0.44% |
| West Carroll Parish, LA | $199 | $97,600 | 0.20% |
| Allen Parish, LA | $199 | $110,800 | 0.18% |
| Northwest Arctic Borough, AK | $199 | $162,500 | 0.12% |
| Kusilvak Census Area, AK | $199 | $72,700 | 0.27% |
| Copper River Census Area, AK | $199 | $246,700 | 0.08% |
| Choctaw County, AL | $199 | $111,800 | 0.18% |
| Madison Parish, LA | $208 | $90,600 | 0.23% |
| Tensas Parish, LA | $232 | $80,300 | 0.29% |
| Avoyelles Parish, LA | $244 | $120,200 | 0.20% |
States at the extremes
Highest state medians
| State | Median tax | Median value | Rate* |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Jersey | $9,541 | $427,600 | 2.23% |
| Connecticut | $6,575 | $343,200 | 1.92% |
| New Hampshire | $6,505 | $367,200 | 1.77% |
| New York | $6,450 | $403,000 | 1.60% |
| Massachusetts | $5,813 | $525,800 | 1.11% |
Lowest state medians
| State | Median tax | Median value | Rate* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $738 | $195,100 | 0.38% |
| West Virginia | $835 | $155,600 | 0.54% |
| Arkansas | $1,003 | $175,300 | 0.57% |
| Louisiana | $1,146 | $208,700 | 0.55% |
| Mississippi | $1,189 | $161,400 | 0.74% |
*Derived rate = median taxes paid ÷ median home value. It is an estimate computed from two Census survey medians, not an official tax rate. See the methodology page.
How property taxes work
Property tax is the main way local governments in the United States pay for schools, roads, police and fire services, and other local services. Although the bill arrives from a county, city, school district or another local authority, the mechanics are similar almost everywhere: the local assessor estimates what your property is worth, exemptions and deductions are applied, and the remaining assessed value is multiplied by the combined local tax rate (often called the millage rate).
Two places with identical tax rates can produce very different bills if home values differ, and two places with identical home values can produce very different bills if rates differ. That is why this site always shows the median tax bill and the median home value side by side — and why a derived effective rate, which relates the two, is a useful way to compare counties fairly.
Your own bill can differ a lot from the county median: homestead exemptions, senior or veteran exemptions, assessment caps, and the specific districts your home sits in all change the final number. Use the county figures here as a benchmark, then check your own assessment with your county assessor.