Alaska vs Vermont
Property‑Tax Comparison: Alaska vs. Vermont
Both Alaska and Vermont levy property taxes at the local level, but the effective tax rates and resulting annual payments differ. The data below comes from the U.S. Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey (5‑year estimates).
Side‑by‑Side Metrics
| Metric | Alaska | Vermont |
|---|---|---|
| Effective property‑tax rate | 1.14 % | 1.71 % |
| Median home value | $333,300 | $290,500 |
| Median annual property tax | $3,785 | $4,956 |
| Tax on a $250,000 home | $2,839 | $4,265 |
| Tax on a $500,000 home | $5,678 | $8,530 |
| Median household income | $89,336 | $78,024 |
| Internal link | Alaska property tax | Vermont property tax |
Which State Has the Lower Property‑Tax Burden?
- Winner (lower effective rate): Alaska
- Tax‑rate difference: 0.57 percentage points, which is a 33.43 % lower rate than Vermont’s (0.57 ÷ 1.71 ≈ 0.3343).
- Annual tax difference on a $250k home: $1,426 (Vermont $4,265 – Alaska $2,839).
- Annual tax difference on a $500k home: $2,852 (Vermont $8,530 – Alaska $5,678).
Why Alaska wins: The effective property‑tax rate of 1.14 % in Alaska is lower than Vermont’s 1.71 %. Because the rate is applied to the assessed value of a property, the lower rate translates directly into lower annual tax payments for comparable home values.
Who Is This Comparison Most Relevant For?
| Audience | Relevance |
|---|---|
| Current or prospective homeowners | Understanding the ongoing cost of owning a home in each state helps with budgeting and long‑term financial planning. |
| Retirees | Property taxes are a significant component of fixed‑income expenses; a lower rate can reduce the overall cost of staying in a residence. |
| Real‑estate investors | Effective tax rates affect cash‑flow projections and return‑on‑investment calculations. |
| Policy analysts & researchers | The data illustrate how state‑level tax structures differ, useful for comparative fiscal studies. |
Summary
Based on the most recent ACS estimates, Alaska’s effective property‑tax rate of 1.14 % is lower than Vermont’s 1.71 %, resulting in lower median annual taxes and lower taxes on both $250 k and $500 k homes. The difference amounts to roughly one‑third lower tax burden in Alaska. Stakeholders whose decisions are sensitive to recurring property‑tax costs—such as homeowners, retirees, and investors—may find Alaska’s lower rate advantageous, while the higher median household income in Alaska also suggests a greater capacity to absorb property‑tax expenses.
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.