Property Tax Rates Vary Widely by State and Geography

Economics
Published

There is a nearly $8,000 difference between what residents of the state with the highest property taxes pay compared to those who live in the state with the lowest annual tax bill.

NAHB analysis of data from the 2019 American Community Survey shows that in 2019, New Jersey continued its perennial distinction as the state with the highest average annual tax bill per home owner. Garden State home owners paid an average of $8,687 in real estate taxes in 2019.

At the opposite end of the spectrum, Alabama ranked 50th among home owners in average real estate tax paid per year. There, the average real estate tax bill totaled just $713.

The top five states with the highest average annual property taxes are all located in the Northeast:

Rank Average Real Estate Taxes Paid Per Year
1. New Jersey $8,687
2. Connecticut $6,593
3. New York $6,410
4. New Hampshire $5,843
5. Massachusetts $5,495

The states with the lowest average annual property taxes are primarily located in the South:

Rank Average Real Estate Taxes Paid Per Year
50. Alabama $713
49. West Virginia $815
48. Mississippi $1,038
47. Arkansas $1,046
46. Louisiana $1,080

NAHB economist David Logan looks at the national picture and provides further analysis in this Eye on Housing blog post.

Find out where your state stands on the list.

Subscribe to NAHBNow

Log in or create account to subscribe to notifications of new posts.

Log in to subscribe

Latest from NAHBNow

Leading Suppliers Council | Codes and Standards

Mar 25, 2026

New Electrical Code Change for Kitchen Islands: What Builders Need to Know

For some jurisdictions, the recent revisions to the 2023 National Electrical Code (NEC), specifically Section 210.52(C), change how receptacles can be installed in kitchen islands and peninsulas. But builders, designers, and electricians can consider alternative ways to provide power to kitchen islands.

Membership | Advocacy

Mar 25, 2026

Podcast: 3 Key Focus Areas for NAHB’s Blueprint to 100

On the latest episode of NAHB’s podcast, Housing Developments, CEO Jim Tobin and COO Paul Lopez sit down with 2026 NAHB Chairman Bill Owens to discuss his plans for the year, including the Blueprint to 100 initiative, and what’s happening in Washington.

View all

Latest Economic News

Economics

Mar 25, 2026

Age of Housing Stock by State

According to the latest data from the 2024 American Community Survey (ACS), the median age of owner-occupied homes has reached 42 years old. The age of the housing stock is an important remodeling market indicator.

Economics

Mar 24, 2026

Almost Half of the Owner-Occupied Homes Built Before 1980

Around 47% of the U.S. housing stock was built in the 1980s and earlier. The median age of owner-occupied homes climbed to 42 years old in 2024, up from 31 in 2005 according to the latest data from the American Community Survey.

Economics

Mar 23, 2026

Comparing New and Resale Prices: 4Q25

In the fourth quarter of 2025, the median price for a new single-family home was $405,300, which was $9,600 lower than the median price of an existing home, which stood at $414,900.