The full explanation
That is why the effective rate better shows how heavy the tax is compared with what the home is worth. Our data pages estimate it from Census figures: the typical tax owners pay divided by the typical home value.
An example
Valeria compares two counties before buying. On our data page she sees that one has a higher effective rate, so the mortgage calculator estimates a larger tax inside her monthly payment.
With real numbers
Computed with official data for the whole U.S. In your county the numbers may differ.
- Typical tax per year
- $3,119
- Per month
- $260
- Typical effective rate
- 0.94%
The typical U.S. homeowner pays $3,119 a year in property tax, about $260 a month. Compared with the typical home value, that is close to 0.94% a year. In your county it can be very different.
Computed with: American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates (2020–2024)
In numbers: effective property tax rate
Effective property tax rate: the national figure and some of the 52 states, from highest to lowest, with the same source and the same date.
- Nationwide
- 0.94%
| State | Figure | vs. US |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey | 2.11% | +124% |
| Michigan | 1.25% | +33% |
| Georgia | 0.77% | −18% |
| Arkansas | 0.55% | −41% |
| Hawaii | 0.27% | −71% |
If a document mentions "effective property tax rate", think of these figures: in New Jersey it is 2.11%; in Hawaii, 0.27%; nationwide, 0.94%.
Sources: American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates (Average 2020–2024)
Where you see it on the site
You will see it in…
- Our property tax data page, by state and county
- The mortgage calculator, when it estimates the tax inside your monthly payment
- Your state's or county's property tax studies
