Property Tax Calculator — Estimate by US State
Property tax varies more by location than almost any other homeownership cost — from under 0.3% of home value a year in Hawaii to over 2% in New Jersey and Illinois. Pick your state for a typical starting rate (editable), or enter your own known rate from a recent bill.
State rates shown are statewide averages (2024-based data) — actual county/municipal rates can differ substantially. Check your county assessor's site or last tax bill for your exact rate.
State rates are statewide average effective property tax rates from recent published data (2024-based) — actual county/city rates vary. Verify your specific rate with your county assessor.
How to use this tool
- Pick your state — the rate field auto-fills with that state's average effective property tax rate.
- Enter your home's market or assessed value.
- Edit the rate if you know your exact county/municipal rate from a past tax bill (more accurate than the state average).
- Press Calculate to see estimated annual property tax and the monthly escrow-equivalent amount.
Frequently asked questions
Why do property tax rates vary so much between states?
Property tax funds local services (schools, police, fire, roads) and is set by states, counties and municipalities independently — states with lower income or sales tax revenue (like New Jersey, Illinois, New Hampshire) often lean more heavily on property tax to fund services, pushing rates higher.
Assessed value vs market value — which should I use?
Use your assessed value if you know it (found on your property tax bill or county assessor site) since that's what tax is actually calculated on — it's sometimes lower than market value due to assessment caps or lags. If you don't know it, market/purchase value is a reasonable starting estimate.
Can my property tax rate change over time?
Yes — local governments adjust rates (mill levies) periodically, and your assessed value itself is reassessed on a schedule that varies by county (often every 1-5 years), which can raise or lower your bill even if the rate itself doesn't change.
Are there property tax exemptions I should know about?
Many states offer homestead exemptions (reducing taxable value for a primary residence), and additional exemptions exist for seniors, veterans, and disabled homeowners in many jurisdictions. Check your county assessor's website — these can meaningfully lower your actual bill below this estimate.