Investing: Lowest Property Tax by State

As a real estate investor, it’s important to examine all factors when you’re considering purchasing a property for investment purposes. Some of the most important considerations include property location, valuation, and taxation. Because of this, many investors choose to buy in states with the lowest property tax.

All states impose a property tax on homes that is charged to the owner. This tax may be imposed as a base amount per $1,000 on the fair market value, or it may be charged as a percentage of the overall market value of the property.

The location of the property and its overall value determine the amount of tax that is payable each year. The valuation of a property is reassessed on an annual basis, and taxes can fluctuate significantly. Thus, it’s important to make a careful assessment of expected taxes before jumping into an investment that may result in unexpected costs.

Quicken Loans calculated the effective property tax rate by state utilizing 2019 calendar data from the Tax Foundation. This information has been combined with the average home prices by state for June 2021 prepared by the Motley Fool to provide the comprehensive list of states with low property taxes below. 

It’s important to remember that these are only averages. Property taxes vary by city and can be significantly higher or lower than the state average. In addition, a low property tax percentage combined with high home costs can lead to higher taxes than might be expected.

States with the Lowest Property Tax

States with lower property taxes tend to be located in the Southeast. Home values in these locations are also lower (on average) than in other parts of the country. 

However, before opting to invest in an inexpensive location, you should consider more factors. Other elements could include tenancy rates and the increase in property valuation over time.

Highest Property Tax by State

In contrast to states with the lowest property tax, below you’ll find a list of states with the highest effective property taxes. Note that some states have a relatively low effective property tax percentage, but the median home prices are high. California is an example of this.

Final Considerations

While states with the lowest property taxes and home value should form part of an investor’s decision when purchasing an investment property, there are many other factors at play. Make sure you fully consider all aspects of your purchase before making the jump!