Alabama vs Idaho
Property‑Tax Comparison: Alabama vs. Idaho
Introduction
Both Alabama and Idaho levy property taxes on real‑estate owners, but the rates and resulting dollar amounts differ substantially. Using the most recent data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2023 American Community Survey (5‑year estimates), the two states can be compared across effective tax rates, median home values, median annual tax payments, and household income.
Side‑by‑side comparison
| Metric | Alabama | Idaho |
|---|---|---|
| Effective property‑tax rate | 0.38 % | 0.53 % |
| Median home value | $195,100 | $376,000 |
| Median annual property tax | $738 | $2,006 |
| Tax on a $250,000 home | $946 | $1,334 |
| Tax on a $500,000 home | $1,892 | $2,667 |
| Median household income | $62,027 | $74,636 |
| Link to state‑specific page | Alabama property tax | Idaho property tax |
All figures are drawn from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2023 ACS 5‑year estimates.
Which state has the lower tax burden?
Winner (lower effective rate): Alabama
- Effective tax‑rate difference: 0.16 percentage points, which is a 29.09 % lower rate than Idaho’s.
- Dollar‑amount difference on a $250,000 home: $388 less per year in Alabama.
- Dollar‑amount difference on a $500,000 home: $775 less per year in Alabama.
The lower effective rate in Alabama translates into lower annual property‑tax payments for comparable home values, even though Alabama’s median home price is considerably lower than Idaho’s.
Who is this comparison most relevant for?
| Audience | Relevance of the comparison |
|---|---|
| Current or prospective homeowners | Understanding the annual cost of owning a home in each state helps in budgeting and evaluating overall affordability. |
| Retirees and fixed‑income households | Lower property‑tax payments can be a significant factor for those relying on limited income streams. |
| Real‑estate investors | Effective tax rates affect cash‑flow projections for rental or investment properties. |
| Policy analysts and local officials | The data provide a baseline for comparing tax structures and assessing fiscal policy impacts. |
The analysis is strictly data‑driven; it does not consider other tax categories, cost‑of‑living differences, or public‑service quality, which may also influence decision‑making.
Conclusion
According to U.S. Census Bureau data, Alabama’s effective property‑tax rate (0.38 %) is lower than Idaho’s (0.53 %). This results in lower annual tax bills for comparable property values, making Alabama the lower‑tax option in a direct property‑tax comparison. Stakeholders such as homebuyers, retirees, and investors can use these figures to assess the relative tax burden when evaluating the two states.
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Data Source
All figures are drawn from the U.S. Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey (5‑year estimates). This comprehensive dataset provides reliable, standardized property tax information across all states.