Arkansas vs Georgia
Property‑Tax Comparison: Arkansas vs. Georgia
Brief Overview
Both Arkansas and Georgia levy local property taxes that fund schools, roads, and other municipal services. According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2023 American Community Survey (5‑year estimates), Arkansas’s effective property‑tax rate is lower than Georgia’s, which translates into smaller annual tax bills for comparable home values. The following sections present the key metrics side‑by‑side, identify the state with the lower rate, and note the types of households that may benefit most from the lower tax environment.
Side‑by‑Side Metrics
| Metric (2023 ACS) | Arkansas | Georgia |
|---|---|---|
| Effective property‑tax rate | 0.57 % | 0.81 % |
| Median home value | $175,300 | $272,900 |
| Median annual property tax | $1,003 | $2,214 |
| Property tax on a $250,000 home | $1,431 | $2,028 |
| Property tax on a $500,000 home | $2,861 | $4,057 |
| Median household income | $58,773 | $74,664 |
Sources: “According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2023 American Community Survey (5‑year estimates).”
Which State “Wins” on Property Tax?
- Winner (lower tax rate): Arkansas
- Rate difference: 0.24 percentage points (Arkansas 0.57 % vs. Georgia 0.81 %) – a 29.47 % relative reduction.
- Annual tax difference on a $250,000 home: $2,028 – $1,431 = $597
- Annual tax difference on a $500,000 home: $4,057 – $2,861 = $1,196
Why Arkansas ranks lower: The effective property‑tax rate of 0.57 % is 0.24 % points beneath Georgia’s 0.81 %. Because the rate is applied to assessed value, the lower percentage yields consistently smaller tax bills across home price tiers, as shown in the examples above.
Who Might Benefit Most from This Comparison?
| Audience | Relevance of Lower Property Tax |
|---|---|
| Current homeowners | Reduces the ongoing cost of home ownership, especially for properties valued at or above the state median. |
| Prospective homebuyers | May make Arkansas more financially attractive when comparing housing affordability with Georgia. |
| Retirees on fixed incomes | A lower tax burden can help preserve retirement savings, particularly in areas where median household income is also lower (Arkansas $58,773 vs. Georgia $74,664). |
| Investors in rental properties | Lower property‑tax expenses can improve net operating income and cash‑on‑cash returns. |
| First‑time buyers | The combination of a lower median home price and lower tax bill may ease entry into homeownership. |
The advantage is primarily financial; there is no implication regarding service quality, school performance, or overall cost of living, which may differ between the two states.
Further Reading
- Detailed information on Arkansas’s property‑tax structure: Arkansas property tax
- Detailed information on Georgia’s property‑tax structure: Georgia property tax
All figures reflect the most recent ACS estimates available at the time of writing and are presented without interpretive commentary beyond the factual differences shown.
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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.