Arkansas vs Michigan
Property Tax Comparison: Arkansas vs. Michigan
Scope – This article compares the effective property‑tax rates and related metrics for Arkansas and Michigan using the most recent data from the U.S. Census Bureau.
Source – All figures are taken from the U.S. Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey (5‑year estimates).
Side‑by‑Side Metrics
| Metric | Arkansas | Michigan |
|---|---|---|
| Effective property‑tax rate | 0.57 % | 1.28 % |
| Median home value | $175,300 | $217,600 |
| Median annual property tax | $1,003 | $2,795 |
| Property tax on a $250,000 home | $1,431 | $3,211 |
| Property tax on a $500,000 home | $2,861 | $6,423 |
| Median household income | $58,773 | $71,149 |
For more detailed state‑specific information see the pages on Arkansas property tax and Michigan property tax.
Which State Has the Lower Tax Burden?
- Winner (lower effective rate): Arkansas
- Rate difference: 0.71 percentage points, which represents a 55.45 % lower effective rate in Arkansas compared with Michigan.
- Annual tax difference on a $250,000 home: $1,780 lower in Arkansas.
- Annual tax difference on a $500,000 home: $3,562 lower in Arkansas.
Why Arkansas wins: The effective property‑tax rate of 0.57 % in Arkansas is less than half the 1.28 % rate in Michigan. Because the rate is applied to the assessed value of a property, the lower rate yields proportionally lower tax bills across the price spectrum.
Who Might Benefit Most from This Comparison?
| Audience | Relevance of the Data |
|---|---|
| Current or prospective homeowners | Lower annual property taxes can reduce the total cost of homeownership, especially for buyers of higher‑valued homes. |
| Retirees on fixed incomes | A lower tax burden may make Arkansas more attractive for retirees seeking to stretch limited income. |
| Real‑estate investors | Property‑tax expense directly affects cash‑flow calculations; Arkansas offers a lower expense per dollar of property value. |
| Relocating families | Comparing tax burden alongside median household income helps assess overall affordability. |
The comparison is most useful for individuals or entities for whom the ongoing cost of property ownership is a primary consideration. It does not address other fiscal factors such as state income taxes, sales taxes, or public‑service quality, which may also influence relocation decisions.
Summary
Based on U.S. Census Bureau data from the 2023 ACS, Arkansas’s effective property‑tax rate of 0.57 % is substantially lower than Michigan’s 1.28 %. This translates into lower median annual taxes and smaller tax bills on both $250 k and $500 k homes. Stakeholders for whom property‑tax expense is a key affordability metric—homebuyers, retirees, and investors—will find Arkansas to have the more favorable property‑tax environment of the two states.
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.