Arkansas vs Kentucky
Arkansas vs. Kentucky – Property‑Tax Comparison (2023 ACS)
Intro
Both Arkansas and Kentucky levy property taxes that fund local services such as schools, roads, and public safety. According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2023 American Community Survey (5‑year estimates), Arkansas’s effective property‑tax rate is lower than Kentucky’s, resulting in smaller annual tax bills for comparable home values.
Side‑by‑side metrics
| Metric (2023 ACS) | Arkansas | Kentucky |
|---|---|---|
| Effective property‑tax rate | 0.57 % | 0.77 % |
| Median home value | $175,300 | $192,300 |
| Median annual property tax | $1,003 | $1,472 |
| Tax on a $250,000 home | $1,431 | $1,914 |
| Tax on a $500,000 home | $2,861 | $3,827 |
| Median household income | $58,773 | $62,417 |
Source: 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 – its effective property‑tax rate of 0.57 % is 0.19 percentage points lower than Kentucky’s 0.77 %.
- Relative difference: The rate gap represents a 25.3 % lower tax burden in Arkansas.
- Dollar impact:
- For a $250,000 home, Arkansas owners pay $483 less per year than Kentucky owners.
- For a $500,000 home, the annual difference widens to $966.
The lower rate in Arkansas translates directly into smaller tax bills for homeowners at any price point, assuming identical assessment practices.
Who benefits most from this comparison?
| Audience | Relevance of the data |
|---|---|
| Current homeowners | Understanding the ongoing cost of owning a home in each state. |
| Prospective homebuyers | Estimating future property‑tax expenses when comparing housing markets. |
| Retirees and fixed‑income households | Lower property taxes can reduce the overall cost of living, especially where income is limited. |
| Real‑estate investors | Property‑tax differentials affect cash‑flow projections and net‑return calculations. |
| Policy analysts | The figures provide a baseline for evaluating state tax structures and fiscal policy. |
The comparison is factual and does not favor one state beyond the objective metric of tax rate.
Further reading
- Detailed information on Arkansas’s property‑tax system: Arkansas property tax
- Detailed information on Kentucky’s property‑tax system: Kentucky property tax
Based on the most recent ACS estimates, Arkansas imposes a lower effective property‑tax rate than Kentucky, resulting in measurable annual savings for homeowners at comparable property values.
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.