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

Member Benefits

Mar 31, 2026

NAHB’s Newest Savings Program Helps Members Build Financial Strength

From navigating cash flow to planning for long-term growth, having the right financial tools in place can make a meaningful difference. To help support members in these efforts, NAHB is excited to announce its latest member savings program partner: Signature Federal Credit Union.

Workforce Development | Student Chapters

Mar 30, 2026

NAHB Student Chapter at Alabama A&M University Off to Fast Start

AAMU made its debut at the IBS Student Competition in Orlando. The chapter’s quick formation, ties to its local HBA and strong student leadership skills tell an inspiring tale of what NAHB members can do to support the future of the residential construction industry.

View all

Latest Economic News

Economics

Mar 31, 2026

Soft Construction Labor Market Shows Decline for Open Positions

The number of open positions in construction in February was down year-over-year, per the Bureau of Labor Statistics Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS).

Economics

Mar 30, 2026

NAHB HBGI: Micro Markets Lone Bright Spot for Single-Family Building in Fourth Quarter

Single-family construction declined further in the fourth quarter in all but sparsely populated micro counties, according to the NAHB Home Building Geography Index (HBGI).

Economics

Mar 26, 2026

State/Local Property Tax Revenue Rises Past $210 Billion in the Fourth Quarter

Property tax revenue collected by state and local governments rose for the ninth consecutive quarter according to the Census Bureau’s quarterly summary of state and local tax revenue.