U.S. homeowners paid an average of $633 more in property taxes in 2024 than in 2019, according to the latest U.S. Census Bureau data. Here’s what’s driving the growth and which states are most affected.
Property taxes are primarily determined by the home’s assessed value and local tax rate.
Assessed value is the dollar amount assigned to your home by your local county assessor to help determine property taxes. It’s not the same as market value, but it includes it.
A higher home market value can mean a higher assessed value, which directly increases its property taxes. And the median market price of a single-family home in the United States is $362,210, according to February Zillow estimates — a nearly 55% increase since 2019.
Higher property tax rates may also be behind the increase in real estate taxes. Local governments may increase rates to cover increases in operating and service costs.
These shifts can leave homeowners with big tax bills, and depending on where you live, you may feel the pinch.
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New Jersey, New Hampshire and Connecticut are among the states with the highest property taxes in 2024 — more than the national average of $3,211.
| State | 2024 average real estate taxes | 2024 compared to the national average |
| New Jersey | $9,358 | 191% more |
| New Hampshire | $6,707 | 109.% more |
| Connecticut | $6,573 | 105% more |
| New York | $6,542 | 104% more |
| Massachusetts | $6,080 | 89% more |
| Illinois | $5,399 | 68% more |
| California | $5,369 | 67% more |
| Vermont | $5,026 | 57.% more |
| Rhode Island | $4,886 | 52% more |
| Washington | $4,729 | 47% more |
Source: US Census Bureau
States such as West Virginia, Alabama and Arkansas paid property taxes below the national average in 2024.
| State | 2024 average real estate taxes | 2024 percent below the national average |
|---|---|---|
| West Virginia | $881 | 73% less |
| Alabama | $890 | 72% less |
| Arkansas | $1,113 | 65% less |
| Louisiana | $1,187 | 63% less |
| Mississippi | $1,221 | 62% less |
| South Carolina | $1,337 | 58% less |
| Tennessee | $1,488 | 54% less |
| Kentucky | $1,611 | 50% less |
| Oklahoma | $1,672 | 48% less |
| Delaware | $1,750 | 45% less |
Source: US Census Bureau
Many states have low property taxes, but they are increasing. Here are the 10 states that saw the most significant increases in property taxes after 2019 — especially compared to the national average, which rose by nearly 25%.
| State | 2024 average real estate taxes | 2019 vs |
| Florida | $2,993 | 47% up |
| Alabama | $890 | 46% up |
| Colorado | $2,828 | 45% up |
| Georgia | $2,554 | 44% up |
| Wyoming | $1,947 | 44% up |
| Indiana | $1,798 | 42% up |
| Montana | $2,939 | 39% up |
| Utah | $2,648 | 39% up |
| North Carolina | $2,044 | 37% up |
| South Carolina | $1,337 | 36% up |
Source: US Census Bureau
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While property taxes are unavoidable for many homeowners, there are things you can try to lower your bill.
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Check for rating errors: Your home’s appraised value can be off for a number of reasons, such as inaccurate property descriptions or comparable sales that don’t match your property.
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Consider the appeal: If you find errors in your assessment, you can file an appeal. Your county assessor can outline the process on their website, or you can enlist the help of a property tax attorney.
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Apply for eligible discounts: A property tax abatement can lower your home’s assessed value and, ultimately, the amount of real estate taxes you have to pay. Check your local county assessor’s website to see what exemptions you may qualify for.
Learn more: Mortgage Interest Tax Deduction for Homeowners: Is It Worth It?
Every state in America has an estate tax. It can be a major source of local government revenue. While these taxes can consume a large portion of your budget in high-cost markets, states like West Virginia, Alabama, and Arkansas have some of the lowest property taxes in the country.
Florida, Alabama, Colorado and Georgia are among the states that saw the largest increases in average property taxes paid compared to 2019. This can be due to many factors such as the increase in home market value and local tax rates.
You may be able to reduce your property taxes if you find errors on your assessment and file an appeal. You can also apply for qualified exemptions, which can lower your assessed value and ultimately your taxes.
