Property taxes
Property taxes by state
Effective property-tax rates vary widely by state. Pick yours to see what it costs by home price, how it works, and how to lower it.
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
How property tax is collected
Property taxes are usually collected monthly by your lender through an escrow account and paid to the county on your behalf, so they are baked into your monthly payment rather than arriving as a once-a-year surprise. The rate each state page quotes is an effective rate — total property taxes paid divided by home value — so your actual bill depends on your county and municipality, and on the assessed value your local assessor sets, which can differ from what you paid.
Ways to lower your property tax
These apply in most states, though the thresholds and deadlines are set locally.
- Homestead exemption — most states reduce the taxable value of your primary residence; apply through your county assessor after you close.
- Senior, veteran, and disability exemptions — many counties offer additional reductions if you qualify.
- Appeal your assessment — if your assessed value looks too high versus comparable sales, you can usually appeal it.
Exemptions and appeal rules vary by county — confirm with your local assessor.