Arizona vs Puerto Rico
Arizona vs. Puerto Rico – Property‑Tax Comparison
Intro
Both Arizona and Puerto Rico levy property taxes that are collected by local governments to fund public services. According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2023 American Community Survey (5‑year estimates), the two jurisdictions have very similar effective property‑tax rates, but they differ markedly in home values, median household incomes, and the resulting tax amounts for typical homeowners.
Side‑by‑side comparison
| Metric | Arizona | Puerto Rico |
|---|---|---|
| Effective property‑tax rate | 0.52 % | 0.50 % |
| Median home value | $358,900 | $124,600 |
| Median annual property tax | $1,858 | $627 |
| Tax on a $250,000 home | $1,294 | $1,258 |
| Tax on a $500,000 home | $2,589 | $2,516 |
| Median household income | $76,872 | $25,096 |
Sources: “According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2023 American Community Survey (5‑year estimates).”
Which jurisdiction has the lower tax burden?
- Winner (lower effective rate): Puerto Rico (0.50 % vs. 0.52 % in Arizona).
- Rate difference: 0.01 percentage points, which represents a 2.80 % relative difference.
- Annual tax difference on a $250,000 home: $36 less in Puerto Rico.
- Annual tax difference on a $500,000 home: $73 less in Puerto Rico.
The lower effective rate in Puerto Rico translates into modest savings for homeowners with comparable property values, even though the absolute tax amounts are influenced heavily by the much lower median home price in Puerto Rico.
Who might find this comparison most relevant?
| Audience | Why the data matters |
|---|---|
| Current or prospective homeowners | Understanding the effective tax rate helps estimate annual carrying costs for a given property value. |
| Retirees considering relocation | Property‑tax burden is a key component of overall cost of living; the lower median home price and tax amount in Puerto Rico may be attractive, while Arizona’s higher median income suggests a different affordability context. |
| Real‑estate investors | The effective tax rate and median home values affect cash‑flow calculations for rental or resale strategies. |
| Policy analysts | The side‑by‑side figures illustrate how tax policy interacts with local property values and income levels. |
Summary
Based on the most recent ACS estimates, Puerto Rico’s effective property‑tax rate is slightly lower than Arizona’s (0.50 % vs. 0.52 %). The difference yields small annual savings for comparable home values—$36 on a $250 k home and $73 on a $500 k home. However, the broader context of median home values and household incomes varies considerably between the two jurisdictions, which can influence the overall affordability picture for different types of residents.
For more detailed information on each jurisdiction’s property‑tax structure, see the dedicated pages:
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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.