When you buy a home, the mortgage gets the attention, but property taxes never go away. Over decades they can add up to more than the house itself, and they vary dramatically from one state to the next.
If keeping ongoing costs low is a priority, a state's effective property tax rate is worth weighing alongside home prices. Here are seven states known for low property taxes, with the usual caution that local rates can vary widely.
1Hawaii
Hawaii has the lowest effective property tax rate in the country, though sky-high home values mean the actual dollar amounts are not always small. For a modestly priced property, the low rate can be a real advantage.
2Alabama
Alabama combines very low property tax rates with low home prices, making it one of the most affordable states to own for the long haul, especially for retirees.
3Colorado
Despite rising home values, Colorado maintains one of the lower property tax rates in the nation, a plus for buyers drawn to its mountains and lifestyle.
4Louisiana
Louisiana keeps property taxes low and offers a generous homestead exemption that shields much of a primary home's value from taxation, easing the burden for owner-occupants.
5South Carolina
With low effective rates and favorable treatment for primary residences, South Carolina is a popular landing spot for retirees seeking warm weather and low carrying costs.
6West Virginia
Among the most affordable states overall, West Virginia pairs low home prices with low property tax rates, appealing to buyers who want Appalachian country living on a budget.
7Wyoming
Wyoming has no state income tax and relatively low property taxes, part of a tax climate that consistently draws buyers wanting wide-open Western land.
A low state rate is only the starting point: your actual bill depends on the county, local levies, assessments, and any exemptions you qualify for, so always price the specific property.
Factor property taxes into your long-term budget the way you would a mortgage payment, and these states can keep the cost of owning your piece of the country pleasantly low.