Alaska vs Delaware
Property‑Tax Comparison: Alaska vs. Delaware
Introduction
Both Alaska and Delaware levy property taxes that are calculated as a percentage of a home’s assessed value. Using the same data source, the 2023 American Community Survey (5‑year estimates) from the U.S. Census Bureau, the two states can be compared on effective tax rates, median home values, median household incomes, and the resulting annual tax bills for typical home prices.
| Metric | Alaska | Delaware |
|---|---|---|
| Effective property‑tax rate | 1.14 % | 0.53 % |
| Median home value | $333,300 | $326,800 |
| Median annual property tax | $3,785 | $1,731 |
| Tax on a $250,000 home | $2,839 | $1,324 |
| Tax on a $500,000 home | $5,678 | $2,649 |
| Median household income | $89,336 | $82,855 |
| Internal link | Alaska property tax | Delaware property tax |
Which State Has the Lower Property‑Tax Burden?
According to the U.S. Census Bureau data, Delaware’s effective property‑tax rate of 0.53 % is lower than Alaska’s 1.14 %. The difference in rates is 0.61 percentage points, which represents a 53.36 % lower rate in Delaware relative to Alaska.
Annual tax difference for common home values
| Home value | Alaska tax | Delaware tax | Difference (Alaska – Delaware) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $250,000 | $2,839 | $1,324 | $1,515 |
| $500,000 | $5,678 | $2,649 | $3,029 |
Based on the lower effective rate, Delaware is the winner in this comparison.
Who Benefits From This Comparison?
| Audience | Relevance of the Comparison |
|---|---|
| Current homeowners | Understanding the relative tax burden can inform decisions about refinancing, relocating, or budgeting for property‑tax expenses. |
| Prospective home buyers | The data help compare ongoing costs when evaluating homes in the two states, especially for price points around $250k–$500k. |
| Retirees | Since property taxes affect fixed‑income budgets, a lower rate (as in Delaware) may be a factor in retirement‑location decisions. |
| Real‑estate investors | Effective tax rates influence cash‑flow projections; Delaware’s lower rate reduces the tax component of operating expenses. |
| Policy analysts | The side‑by‑side figures provide a concise illustration of how state‑level tax structures differ while controlling for home value and income levels. |
Summary
- Effective tax rate: Delaware (0.53 %) < Alaska (1.14 %).
- Median annual tax bill: Delaware ($1,731) is less than half of Alaska’s ($3,785).
- Impact on typical homes: For a $250k property, Delaware’s tax is $1,324 versus Alaska’s $2,839, a $1,515 annual saving; the gap widens to $3,029 for a $500k property.
Conclusion – Based on the most recent ACS estimates, Delaware imposes a lower property‑tax burden than Alaska across the metrics examined. Stakeholders who prioritize lower ongoing property‑tax costs—such as homeowners, retirees, and investors—may find Delaware’s tax environment more favorable.
Source
- U.S. Census Bureau, 2023 American Community Survey (5‑year estimates).
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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.