Alaska vs Pennsylvania
Property‑Tax Comparison: Alaska vs. Pennsylvania
Intro
Both Alaska and Pennsylvania levy property taxes that fund local services such as schools, roads, and public safety. Using the most recent data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2023 American Community Survey (5‑year estimates), the two states differ in effective tax rates, home values, and the resulting annual tax bills. This article presents a side‑by‑side comparison of the key metrics and identifies which state has the lower property‑tax burden.
Side‑by‑Side Metrics
| Metric | Alaska | Pennsylvania |
|---|---|---|
| Effective property tax rate | 1.14 % | 1.35 % |
| Median home value | $333,300 | $240,500 |
| Median annual property tax | $3,785 | $3,241 |
| Tax on a $250,000 home | $2,839 | $3,369 |
| Tax on a $500,000 home | $5,678 | $6,738 |
| Median household income | $89,336 | $76,081 |
| Reference | According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey (5‑year estimates) | According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey (5‑year estimates) |
Which State Wins?
- Winner (lower effective tax rate): Alaska
- Rate difference: 0.21 % (Alaska’s rate is 15.73 % lower than Pennsylvania’s).
- Annual tax difference on a $250,000 home: $530 less in Alaska.
- Annual tax difference on a $500,000 home: $1,060 less in Alaska.
Why Alaska wins: The effective property‑tax rate of 1.14 % is lower than Pennsylvania’s 1.35 %, resulting in lower tax liabilities for comparable property values. The calculation follows the formula used by the ACS:
[ \text{Effective tax rate} = \frac{\text{Annual property tax}}{\text{Assessed home value}} ]
Because Alaska’s rate is smaller, the absolute tax paid on both the $250 k and $500 k examples is lower despite Alaska’s higher median home price.
Who Is This Comparison Most Relevant For?
| Audience | Relevance |
|---|---|
| Current homeowners | Understanding the relative cost of owning a home in each state helps with budgeting and long‑term financial planning. |
| Prospective homebuyers | The lower effective tax rate in Alaska may be a factor when evaluating overall housing affordability, especially for higher‑value properties. |
| Retirees | Property‑tax burden can affect fixed‑income budgets; Alaska’s lower rate could translate to lower annual expenses. |
| Real‑estate investors | Effective tax rate influences cash‑flow projections; the 0.21 % difference may impact investment decisions. |
| Policy analysts | The data illustrate how state‑level tax structures vary and can be used for comparative fiscal studies. |
The comparison is factual and does not incorporate subjective judgments about quality of life, climate, or other non‑tax factors.
Further Reading
- Detailed information on Alaska’s property‑tax system: Alaska property tax
- Detailed information on Pennsylvania’s property‑tax system: Pennsylvania property tax
All figures are drawn from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2023 American Community Survey (5‑year estimates). The calculations reflect the most recent ACS estimates available at the time of writing.
Explore More Comparisons
Discover how property taxes compare across all states in our comprehensive comparison guide.
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.