California vs Maryland
California
Property‑Tax Comparison: California vs. Maryland
Both California and Maryland levy property taxes that fund local services such as schools, public safety, and infrastructure. The two states differ markedly in median home values, effective tax rates, and the resulting annual tax bills. The data below come from the U.S. Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey (5‑year estimates).
Side‑by‑Side Metrics
| Metric | California | Maryland |
|---|---|---|
| Effective property‑tax rate | 0.71 % | 1.00 % |
| Median home value | $695,400 | $397,700 |
| Median annual property tax | $4,926 | $3,989 |
| Property tax on a $250,000 home | $1,771 | $2,507 |
| Property tax on a $500,000 home | $3,542 | $5,015 |
| Median household income | $96,334 | $101,652 |
| Internal link | California property tax | Maryland property tax |
Which State Has the Lower Property‑Tax Burden?
Winner (lower tax rate): California
- Tax‑rate advantage: California’s effective rate of 0.71 % is 0.29 percentage points lower than Maryland’s 1.00 % rate, a 29.37 % relative difference.
- Annual tax on a $250 k home: California $1,771 vs. Maryland $2,507 → $736 less in California.
- Annual tax on a $500 k home: California $3,542 vs. Maryland $5,015 → $1,473 less in California.
The lower effective rate in California means that, for any given home price, the annual property‑tax bill is smaller than in Maryland. This holds true despite California’s higher median home values, which raise the median dollar amount of tax paid.
Who Benefits Most from This Comparison?
| Audience | Relevance of the Data |
|---|---|
| Current homeowners | Understanding the ongoing tax liability of their property. Homeowners with lower‑priced homes (e.g., $250 k) see a clearer dollar‑amount advantage in California. |
| Prospective homebuyers | The effective tax rate directly affects the cost of owning a home. Buyers comparing affordability across states can use the rate difference to estimate future tax bills. |
| Retirees | Fixed‑income retirees often consider property taxes when budgeting. A lower rate (California) reduces the annual cash outflow, though overall cost of living and home price must also be evaluated. |
| Real‑estate investors | Investors assess tax burden as part of total ownership cost. The lower rate in California may improve cash‑flow projections, especially for higher‑value properties. |
| Policy analysts | The data illustrate how different tax structures interact with home‑value levels and household income, useful for comparative fiscal analysis. |
The comparison is most directly useful for individuals who own or plan to purchase residential real estate, as it isolates the property‑tax component of housing costs. It does not account for other taxes (e.g., income, sales) or cost‑of‑living factors that also influence overall affordability.
Summary
Based on the most recent ACS estimates, California’s effective property‑tax rate of 0.71 % is lower than Maryland’s 1.00 %, resulting in smaller annual tax bills for comparable home values. Homeowners, prospective buyers, retirees, and investors can use these figures to gauge the relative property‑tax burden in each state while keeping in mind that overall affordability also depends on home prices, income levels, and other state‑specific taxes.
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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.