California vs Pennsylvania
California
Property‑Tax Comparison: California vs. Pennsylvania
Both California and Pennsylvania levy property taxes that fund local services such as schools, police, and road maintenance. The two states differ markedly in tax rates, home values, and median incomes. The following comparison uses data from the U.S. Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey (5‑year estimates).
Side‑by‑Side Metrics
| Metric | California | Pennsylvania |
|---|---|---|
| Effective property‑tax rate | 0.71 % | 1.35 % |
| Median home value | $695,400 | $240,500 |
| Median annual property tax | $4,926 | $3,241 |
| Property tax on a $250,000 home | $1,771 | $3,369 |
| Property tax on a $500,000 home | $3,542 | $6,738 |
| Median household income | $96,334 | $76,081 |
Sources: “According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey (5‑year estimates).”
Which State Has the Lower Tax Burden?
- Winner (lower effective rate): California – its rate of 0.71 % is 0.64 percentage points lower than Pennsylvania’s 1.35 %.
- Relative difference: The California rate is 47.43 % lower than the Pennsylvania rate.
- Dollar impact on typical homes:
- On a $250 k home, California owners pay $1,598 less per year.
- On a $500 k home, California owners pay $3,196 less per year.
Because the comparison is based on the effective property‑tax rate, California is the clear winner in terms of a lower tax percentage applied to property values.
Who Might Find This Comparison Most Relevant?
| Audience | Why the data matters |
|---|---|
| Current homeowners | Understanding how much of their annual budget is devoted to property tax and how that varies by state. |
| Prospective homebuyers | Evaluating the total cost of ownership when comparing homes of similar price in the two states. |
| Retirees | Assessing whether a lower tax rate could offset higher home values, especially if income is fixed. |
| Real‑estate investors | Estimating cash‑flow implications of differing tax burdens across markets. |
| Policy analysts | Comparing how tax structures intersect with median incomes and housing affordability. |
The data are purely descriptive; they do not account for other fiscal factors such as state income taxes, sales taxes, or local assessment practices.
Further Reading
- Detailed information on California’s property‑tax system: California property tax
- Detailed information on Pennsylvania’s property‑tax system: Pennsylvania property tax
Based on the most recent ACS estimates, California’s lower effective property‑tax rate results in a smaller percentage of a homeowner’s property value being paid each year, even though the state’s median home values are considerably higher.
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.