California vs North Carolina
North Carolina
Property Tax Comparison: California vs. North Carolina
Intro
According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey (5‑year estimates), California and North Carolina have very similar effective property tax rates—0.71 % and 0.70 % respectively. The two states differ markedly in median home values, median household incomes, and the resulting annual property‑tax payments. The following tables and analysis summarize the key metrics and highlight which state imposes the lower tax burden on residential property owners.
Side‑by‑side comparison
| Metric | California | North Carolina |
|---|---|---|
| Effective property tax rate | 0.71 % | 0.70 % |
| Median home value | $695,400 | $259,400 |
| Median annual property tax | $4,926 | $1,815 |
| Property tax on a $250,000 home | $1,771 | $1,749 |
| Property tax on a $500,000 home | $3,542 | $3,499 |
| Median household income | $96,334 | $69,904 |
Sources: “According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey (5‑year estimates).”
Who wins the property‑tax comparison?
- Winner (lower tax rate): North Carolina
- Tax‑rate difference: 0.01 % (a 1.23 % relative difference)
- Annual tax difference on a $250,000 home: $22 (North Carolina is lower)
- Annual tax difference on a $500,000 home: $43 (North Carolina is lower)
Because North Carolina’s effective property tax rate is marginally lower, homeowners with comparable property values will pay slightly less in annual taxes in North Carolina than in California.
Which audiences might find this comparison most relevant?
| Audience | Relevance of the comparison |
|---|---|
| Current homeowners | Understanding how property‑tax obligations differ when considering a move or refinancing. |
| Prospective homebuyers | Assessing the long‑term cost of owning a home in each state, especially when evaluating affordability relative to median incomes. |
| Retirees | Evaluating overall tax burden in relation to fixed‑income budgets; a lower tax rate can affect net retirement income. |
| Real‑estate investors | Comparing cash‑flow implications of owning rental properties across states with similar tax structures but different home‑price levels. |
| Policy analysts | Using the data to examine how tax policy interacts with housing affordability and household income. |
The comparison is factual and based solely on the most recent ACS estimates; it does not account for other taxes (e.g., income, sales) or local variations such as special assessments or district‑level rates.
Related resources
- Detailed information on California’s property‑tax system: California property tax
- Detailed information on North Carolina’s property‑tax system: North Carolina property tax
Based on the most recent ACS estimates, the effective property‑tax rate in North Carolina is slightly lower than in California, resulting in modest annual savings for comparable home 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.