Arizona vs Mississippi
Arizona vs. Mississippi Property Taxes: A Data‑Driven Comparison
Intro
According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey (5‑year estimates), Arizona and Mississippi differ noticeably in how property taxes are assessed and what homeowners can expect to pay. Both states have lower‑than‑national‑average tax rates, but the effective rate, median home values, and the resulting tax bills vary. The following sections present the key figures side‑by‑side, identify which state has the lower tax rate, and outline the groups of residents for whom these differences are most relevant.
Side‑by‑Side Comparison
| Metric | Arizona | Mississippi |
|---|---|---|
| Effective property tax rate | 0.52% | 0.74% |
| Median home value | $358,900 | $161,400 |
| Median annual property tax | $1,858 | $1,189 |
| Tax on a $250,000 home | $1,294 | $1,842 |
| Tax on a $500,000 home | $2,589 | $3,684 |
| Median household income | $76,872 | $54,915 |
| Reference link | Arizona property tax | Mississippi 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 Tax Rate?
- Winner (lower effective tax rate): Arizona
- Tax‑rate difference: 0.22 percentage points (Arizona’s 0.52% vs. Mississippi’s 0.74%). This represents a 29.73 % lower effective rate in Arizona.
Annual tax impact on representative home values
| Home value | Arizona tax | Mississippi tax | Difference (Arizona – Mississippi) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $250,000 | $1,294 | $1,842 | ‑$548 |
| $500,000 | $2,589 | $3,684 | ‑$1,095 |
Based on the most recent ACS estimates, Arizona’s lower effective property tax rate translates into a smaller annual tax bill for both median‑priced homes and the illustrative $250 k / $500 k properties.
Who Might Find This Comparison Most Useful?
| Audience | Relevance of the Data |
|---|---|
| Current homeowners | Understanding how their existing tax burden compares to another state can inform decisions about relocation or refinancing. |
| Prospective homebuyers | Buyers evaluating affordability across states can use the effective tax rate and median tax amounts to estimate ongoing costs. |
| Retirees on fixed incomes | A lower property tax rate (as in Arizona) may reduce the overall cost of homeownership, though other factors such as climate and state income taxes also matter. |
| Real‑estate investors | Investors comparing cash‑flow prospects can factor the tax differential into net‑operating‑income calculations for rental properties. |
| Policy analysts | The side‑by‑side figures provide a clear snapshot of how state‑level tax structures differ, useful for comparative fiscal studies. |
The comparison is factual and does not incorporate qualitative aspects such as service levels, tax deductions, or other state‑level taxes, which may also influence decision‑making.
Conclusion
According to U.S. Census Bureau data, Arizona’s effective property tax rate of 0.52 % is lower than Mississippi’s 0.74 %, resulting in modestly lower annual tax liabilities for comparable home values. Stakeholders such as homeowners, potential buyers, retirees, and investors can use these figures to assess the relative cost of property ownership in the two states.
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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.