You could save thousands of dollars a year just by living in the right county. While the national average effective property tax rate sits at 0.91%, some counties charge a fraction of that — as low as 0.08%.
We analyzed property tax data from the U.S. Census Bureau for all 3,100+ counties in America to find the 25 with the lowest effective property tax rates. These are the places where homeowners keep more of their money.
The 25 Lowest Property Tax Counties in America
Below are the 25 counties with the lowest effective property tax rates in the United States, based on the most recent American Community Survey data (2019-2023 5-Year Estimates).
| Rank | County | State | Effective Rate | Median Tax | Median Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Copper River Census Area | Alaska | 0.08% | $199 | $246,700 |
| 2 | Northwest Arctic Borough | Alaska | 0.12% | $199 | $162,500 |
| 3 | East Feliciana Parish | Louisiana | 0.15% | $328 | $213,700 |
| 4 | Maui County | Hawaii | 0.17% | $1,442 | $858,600 |
| 5 | Choctaw County | Alabama | 0.18% | $199 | $111,800 |
| 6 | Allen Parish | Louisiana | 0.18% | $199 | $110,800 |
| 7 | Avoyelles Parish | Louisiana | 0.20% | $244 | $120,200 |
| 8 | West Carroll Parish | Louisiana | 0.20% | $199 | $97,600 |
| 9 | Bibb County | Alabama | 0.20% | $271 | $132,600 |
| 10 | Jackson County | Colorado | 0.21% | $513 | $250,000 |
| 11 | Nantucket County | Massachusetts | 0.22% | $2,985 | $1,387,000 |
| 12 | Lamar County | Alabama | 0.22% | $245 | $112,700 |
| 13 | Randolph County | Alabama | 0.22% | $412 | $184,000 |
| 14 | Kauai County | Hawaii | 0.23% | $1,840 | $817,900 |
| 15 | Clay County | Alabama | 0.23% | $326 | $144,700 |
| 16 | Gilpin County | Colorado | 0.23% | $1,177 | $512,600 |
| 17 | Madison Parish | Louisiana | 0.23% | $208 | $90,600 |
| 18 | Washington County | Alabama | 0.23% | $357 | $152,800 |
| 19 | Dolores County | Colorado | 0.24% | $558 | $231,900 |
| 20 | Las Animas County | Colorado | 0.24% | $524 | $214,500 |
| 21 | Covington County | Alabama | 0.25% | $358 | $142,500 |
| 22 | Cullman County | Alabama | 0.25% | $457 | $180,500 |
| 23 | San Miguel County | Colorado | 0.26% | $1,599 | $613,100 |
| 24 | Elmore County | Alabama | 0.26% | $563 | $213,600 |
| 25 | La Plata County | Colorado | 0.26% | $1,452 | $549,100 |
Why Are Property Taxes So Low in These Counties?
Low property tax rates typically reflect a combination of factors: state-level tax policy, local government revenue structure, and property valuation methods.
Many of the counties on this list are in states with no or very low property tax burdens — like Louisiana, Alabama, and Hawaii. These states often rely more heavily on sales taxes, severance taxes (from oil and gas), or tourism revenue to fund local services.
Others have low rates because home values are relatively high. A county with expensive homes can generate substantial revenue even at modest rates.
Low Taxes Don't Always Mean Low Cost
A low effective tax rate does not always mean a low total tax bill. For example, a county with a 0.20% rate and a median home value of $500,000 still produces a $1,000 annual tax bill — while a county with a 0.50% rate on $100,000 homes charges just $500.
When evaluating where to live, look at the full picture: the rate, the home value, the total annual tax amount, and what services (schools, roads, public safety) those taxes fund.
How This Compares to the National Average
The national average effective property tax rate is 0.91%, with a median annual tax bill of $1,924. Every county on this list falls well below that threshold.
For context, the highest property tax counties in America have rates exceeding 3% — more than 10 times higher than some counties on this list. If you are relocating and property taxes are a major consideration, these 25 counties offer significant savings.
Methodology
All data comes from the U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). Effective tax rate is calculated by dividing median real estate taxes paid (table B25103) by median home value (table B25077). Counties with suppressed or missing data were excluded from the ranking.
Data source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). All figures are estimates and may differ from actual tax bills due to exemptions, abatements, and local assessment practices.