Alaska vs Virginia
Property Tax Comparison: Alaska vs. Virginia
Short introduction
Both Alaska and Virginia have relatively modest property‑tax burdens compared with many other U.S. states, but the two jurisdictions differ in rates, home values, and median incomes. According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey (5‑year estimates), Virginia’s effective property‑tax rate is lower than Alaska’s, which results in lower annual taxes for comparable home values.
Side‑by‑side comparison
| Metric (2023 ACS) | Alaska | Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| Effective property‑tax rate | 1.14 % | 0.74 % |
| Median home value | $333,300 | $360,700 |
| Median annual property tax | $3,785 | $2,686 |
| Property tax on a $250,000 home | $2,839 | $1,862 |
| Property tax on a $500,000 home | $5,678 | $3,724 |
| Median household income | $89,336 | $90,974 |
| Link to state‑specific page | Alaska property tax | Virginia property tax |
All figures are drawn from the U.S. Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey (5‑year estimates).
Which state “wins” on property taxes?
Winner (lower tax burden): Virginia
- Effective tax‑rate advantage: Virginia’s rate of 0.74 % is 0.39 percentage points lower than Alaska’s 1.14 %, a 34.42 % relative difference.
- Annual tax savings on a $250k home: $977 less per year in Virginia.
- Annual tax savings on a $500k home: $1,954 less per year in Virginia.
The lower effective rate means that, for homes of the same assessed value, Virginia homeowners pay less in property taxes than their Alaska counterparts.
Who benefits most from this comparison?
| Audience | Relevance of the data |
|---|---|
| Current or prospective homeowners | Understanding the tax burden associated with different home price points helps in budgeting and evaluating total cost of ownership. |
| Retirees and fixed‑income households | Lower annual property taxes can reduce the fixed expenses that impact retirement budgets. |
| Real‑estate investors | The effective tax rate influences cash‑flow projections and the relative attractiveness of each market. |
| Policy analysts and researchers | The side‑by‑side metrics provide a snapshot of how tax structures vary across states with similar median incomes. |
All of the above groups can use the presented figures to compare the fiscal impact of owning property in Alaska versus Virginia without relying on subjective assessments.
Summary
Based on the most recent ACS estimates, Virginia imposes a lower effective property‑tax rate than Alaska, resulting in lower annual taxes for typical home values. The difference is most pronounced for higher‑valued properties, where Virginia homeowners pay roughly 34 % less in property taxes than Alaskans. The data are useful for anyone evaluating the cost of home ownership, retirement planning, or investment decisions in either state.
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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.