Property Tax Rates Vary Widely by State and Geography
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.
Latest from NAHBNow
Mar 31, 2026
NAHB’s Newest Savings Program Helps Members Build Financial StrengthFrom 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.
Mar 30, 2026
NAHB Student Chapter at Alabama A&M University Off to Fast StartAAMU 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.
Latest Economic News
Mar 31, 2026
Soft Construction Labor Market Shows Decline for Open PositionsThe 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).
Mar 30, 2026
NAHB HBGI: Micro Markets Lone Bright Spot for Single-Family Building in Fourth QuarterSingle-family construction declined further in the fourth quarter in all but sparsely populated micro counties, according to the NAHB Home Building Geography Index (HBGI).
Mar 26, 2026
State/Local Property Tax Revenue Rises Past $210 Billion in the Fourth QuarterProperty 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.