California vs Nebraska
California
Property Tax Comparison: California vs. Nebraska
Scope: This article compares property‑tax‑related metrics for California and Nebraska using the most recent data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2023 American Community Survey (5‑year estimates). The focus is on effective tax rates, median home values, typical tax payments, and household income, with a view toward identifying which state imposes a lower property‑tax burden.
Key Metrics (2023 ACS)
| Metric | California | Nebraska |
|---|---|---|
| Effective property tax rate | 0.71 % | 1.50 % |
| Median home value | $695,400 | $223,800 |
| Median annual property tax | $4,926 | $3,350 |
| Tax on a $250,000 home | $1,771 | $3,742 |
| Tax on a $500,000 home | $3,542 | $7,485 |
| Median household income | $96,334 | $74,985 |
| Source | According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2023 American Community Survey (5‑year estimates) | According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2023 American Community Survey (5‑year estimates) |
Who Wins on Property‑Tax Rate?
- Winner (lower rate): California
- Rate difference: 0.79 percentage points, which is a 52.68 % lower effective rate than Nebraska’s 1.50 %.
Tax‑payment impact:
| Home price | Annual tax (CA) | Annual tax (NE) | Difference (NE – CA) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $250,000 | $1,771 | $3,742 | $1,971 |
| $500,000 | $3,542 | $7,485 | $3,943 |
The lower effective rate in California translates into a smaller tax bill for the same property value, despite California’s higher median home prices.
Relevance for Different Audiences
| Audience | What the data indicate |
|---|---|
| Current or prospective homeowners | California generally offers a lower property‑tax rate, which reduces the annual tax cost per dollar of home value. However, higher median home prices mean total tax payments may still be larger than in Nebraska. |
| Retirees on fixed incomes | A lower tax rate can be advantageous in managing yearly expenses, but the overall affordability of housing (price vs. income) should also be considered. |
| Real‑estate investors | The effective tax rate directly affects cash‑flow calculations. California’s lower rate may improve net returns on high‑value properties, while Nebraska’s higher rate has a larger impact on lower‑priced assets. |
| Policy analysts | The contrast illustrates how state‑level assessment practices and local‑government financing structures produce divergent tax burdens even when median incomes differ. |
Summary
Based on the most recent ACS estimates, California has the lower effective property‑tax rate (0.71 % vs. 1.50 %). This results in lower annual tax amounts for identical home values, with differences of $1,971 for a $250 k home and $3,943 for a $500 k home. The comparison is most pertinent to homeowners, retirees, and investors who evaluate tax costs alongside home prices and household income.
For more detailed state‑specific information, see the linked pages:
All figures are drawn from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2023 American Community Survey (5‑year estimates) and are presented without interpretation beyond the quantitative differences noted.
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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.