Arizona vs Arkansas
Property Tax Comparison: Arizona vs. Arkansas
Brief Overview
Both Arizona and Arkansas levy property taxes to fund local services such as schools, public safety, and infrastructure. According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey (5‑year estimates), Arizona’s effective property tax rate is slightly lower than Arkansas’s, resulting in modest differences in annual tax bills for comparable home values.
Side‑by‑Side Metrics
| Metric | Arizona | Arkansas |
|---|---|---|
| Effective property tax rate | 0.52 % | 0.57 % |
| Median home value | $358,900 | $175,300 |
| Median annual property tax | $1,858 | $1,003 |
| Property tax on a $250,000 home | $1,294 | $1,431 |
| Property tax on a $500,000 home | $2,589 | $2,861 |
| Median household income | $76,872 | $58,773 |
Sources: All figures are from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2023 American Community Survey (5‑year estimates).
Which State Has the Lower Tax Burden?
- Winner (lower effective rate): Arizona
- Tax‑rate difference: 0.05 % points (a 9.52 % relative difference)
- Annual tax difference for a $250,000 home: $137 lower in Arizona
- Annual tax difference for a $500,000 home: $272 lower in Arizona
Because the effective property tax rate is the primary driver of the tax amount, Arizona’s lower rate translates into smaller yearly payments for identical home values, even though its median home price is considerably higher than Arkansas’s.
Who Might Benefit Most from This Comparison?
| Audience | Relevance of the Comparison |
|---|---|
| Current homeowners | Understanding how a change of residence could affect annual property‑tax costs. |
| Prospective homebuyers | Evaluating overall affordability when factoring in both home price and tax burden. |
| Retirees | Assessing long‑term tax liabilities in relation to fixed incomes; lower rates can help stretch retirement savings. |
| Real‑estate investors | Comparing operating expenses across markets; property tax is a recurring cost that impacts cash flow. |
| Policy analysts | Using the data to study the relationship between tax rates, home values, and household income. |
The data are purely descriptive; they do not account for other fiscal factors such as state income taxes, sales taxes, or local fee structures, which may also influence overall cost of living.
Further Reading
- Detailed information on Arizona’s property‑tax system: Arizona property tax
- Detailed information on Arkansas’s property‑tax system: Arkansas property tax
Summary
Based on the most recent ACS estimates, Arizona imposes a slightly lower effective property tax rate (0.52 %) than Arkansas (0.57 %). This results in modest annual savings for homeowners with comparable property values, a factor that may be especially relevant for retirees, prospective buyers, and investors evaluating overall housing costs.
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.