For many counties across the United States, property taxes are one of the biggest sources of revenue. Higher priced homes mean higher land value assessments and thus more property tax dollars into the coffers.
In fact, according to a recent analysis, ATTOM — a curator of land, property and real estate data — estimated that single-family homeowners were levied $339.8 billion in property taxes in 2022, up from $328 billion in 2021.
But some counties take a much smaller chunk out of homeowners’ hides. ATTOM has compiled a list of the 10 U.S. counties with the lowest average property taxes, some less than $1,000 per year.
To get its numbers, ATTOM looked at property tax data from county tax assessor offices across the country and also estimated market values of single-family homes.
Let’s take a look at those U.S. counties where the property tax bills won’t give you as much sticker shock.
9. Yavapai County, Arizona (tie)
Effective property tax rate in this county: 0.33% in 2022
Average annual property tax amount in this county: $2,131 in 2022
This county is Arizona’s fourth most populous and is home to many retirees. One third of residents are 65 and older, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
9. Wilson County, Tennessee (tie)
Effective property tax rate in this county: 0.33% in 2022
Average annual property tax amount in this county: $1,804 in 2022
If the low property taxes don’t lure you to this region in middle Tennessee, then maybe the attractions will — the WilCo Pow Wow, the Stardust Drive-In Theatre, the Dancing Lights of Christmas or maybe the headquarters of comfort food restaurant chain Cracker Barrel.
7. Knox County, Tennessee (tie)
Effective property tax rate in this county: 0.32% in 2022
Average annual property tax amount in this county: $1,456 in 2022
Things are cheaper in the county seat of Knoxville, the third largest city in Tennessee. If you wanted to trade your big city lifestyle in San Francisco or New York City for the Marble City, your cost of living would drop more than 90%, according to Salary.com.
7. Williamson County, Tennessee (tie)
Effective property tax rate in this county: 0.32% in 2022
Average annual property tax amount in this county: $3,315 in 2022
This region of the Volunteer State, home to around 250,000 people, was among the top 20 richest counties in the U.S., according to the 2020 census. Residents had a median household income of $112,962, which was a 23.1% increase over a five-year period.
6. Morgan County, Alabama
Effective property tax rate in this county: 0.31% in 2022
Average annual property tax amount in this county: $795 in 2022
It costs less to live in this county of some 120,000 people in the north-central part of the Yellowhammer State than in most of the rest of the country. Housing, groceries, transportation and much of everything else costs less than the national average.
5. Baldwin County, Alabama
Effective property tax rate in this county: 0.29% in 2022
Average annual property tax amount in this county: $1,293 in 2022
Thanks to its location as one of only two Alabama counties on the Gulf of Mexico and its cheaper cost of living, retirees are fleeing from neighboring Florida and flocking to Baldwin. It was the fastest-growing county in Alabama between 2010 and 2020, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
4. Honolulu County, Hawaii
Effective property tax rate in this county: 0.28% in 2022
Average annual property tax amount in this county: $3,822
It’s a good thing that property taxes don’t take a big bite out of residents in this county of more than 1 million people. As we have noted here on Money Talks News, a home-owning couple needs to work a combined 151 hours each week to afford a median-priced home in Honolulu, Hawaii’s state capital.
3. Houston County, Alabama
Effective property tax rate in this county: 0.27% in 2022
Average annual property tax amount in this county: $578
Property taxes aren’t high in this county of about 108,000 people in Alabama’s southeast corner, and not much else here costs a lot either. Overall cost of living is well below the national average, and housing is nearly half what you’d pay elsewhere. Sadly, however, nearly 1 in 5 residents live in poverty.
2. Sussex County, Delaware
Effective property tax rate in this county: 0.24% in 2022
Average annual property tax amount in this county: $1,141
This region in the southern part of the First State has seen an influx of retirees, thanks to beautiful beaches, lots of activities and a relaxed feel. According to the 2020 census, nearly 30% of residents were 65 or older.
1. Maui County, Hawaii
Effective property tax rate in this county: 0.22% in 2022
Average annual property tax amount in this county: $2,931
This county of 164,754 residents might be tops on our list, but it’s by no means a cheap place to live. Nearly everything costs far more than the national average, including housing, groceries and utilities.
