District of Columbia Property Tax

Effective Property Tax Rate

57.69%

Median Annual Tax

$4,180

Median Home Value

$724,600

Property Tax in the District of Columbia – An Overview

Keywords: District of Columbia property tax, property tax in District of Columbia, District of Columbia property tax rate

Key Statistics (2026)

Metric	Value
Median home value	$724,600
Effective property tax rate	0.58 %
Median annual property tax	$4,180
Rank among U.S. states & territories	15th out of 52 (lower than the national average)

Source: According to the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) (5‑year estimates, 2023).

How the District of Columbia Property Tax Is Calculated

The District of Columbia assesses property taxes based on the assessed value of a parcel, which is generally a percentage of the market value. The effective tax rate (tax paid divided by market value) for the District is 0.58 %, meaning that owners pay roughly 58 cents for every $100 of property value.

Example Tax Bills

Assessed Home Value	Approximate Annual Tax (0.58 %)
$250,000	$1,442
$500,000	$2,885

These figures are derived directly from the effective tax rate and serve as illustrative examples; actual bills may differ due to exemptions, abatements, or adjustments.

Comparison to the National Landscape

National average effective property tax rate (2026): 0.97 %
Difference: The District of Columbia’s rate is 40.38 % lower than the national average.

The lower effective rate places the District among the states/territories with the most modest property‑tax burdens, ranking 15th out of 52 jurisdictions (including the 50 states, District of Columbia, and U.S. territories).

Variation Within the District

While the District of Columbia is a single jurisdiction (it does not contain counties), property‑tax rates can still vary by advisory district for purposes such as school funding or specific municipal services. These variations are reflected in the final tax bill but are generally modest because the base rate (0.58 %) applies uniformly across the District.

Implications for Specific Property‑Owner Groups

Retirees

Affordability: The effective tax rate is below the national average, which can reduce the overall cost of homeownership for retirees on fixed incomes.
Exemptions: The District offers a Senior Citizen Exemption that may lower taxable assessed value for qualifying residents, further decreasing the tax burden.

Landlords / Investors

Cash Flow: Lower property taxes can improve net operating income compared with higher‑tax jurisdictions.
Tax Base: Rental properties are assessed using the same methodology as owner‑occupied homes; therefore, the 0.58 % rate applies equally.
Regulatory Context: Property‑tax considerations should be evaluated alongside other local regulations (e.g., rent‑stabilization ordinances) that affect profitability.

All statements above are factual observations based on the tax rate and available exemptions; they do not constitute a recommendation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question	Answer
What is the effective District of Columbia property tax rate?	The effective rate is 0.58 %, according to the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2023 ACS estimates.
How does the District’s property tax compare to the national average?	It is 40.38 % lower than the national average effective rate of 0.97 %.
Are there any exemptions that can reduce the tax bill?	Yes. The District provides exemptions such as the Senior Citizen Exemption and other homestead‑type reductions that can lower the assessed value for eligible owners.

References

U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 5‑year estimates, 2023 – median home value, effective property tax rate, and median annual tax.
District of Columbia Office of Tax and Revenue – exemption criteria and advisory district information.

The information presented reflects the most recent ACS data available as of 2023 and does not account for changes that may occur after that period.

Neighboring States

Maryland

Virginia