California vs Vermont
California
Property‑Tax Comparison: California vs. Vermont
Quick overview – Both California and Vermont levy property taxes based on assessed home values, but the effective tax rates and resulting annual payments differ noticeably. According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey (5‑year estimates), California’s effective property‑tax rate is 0.71 %, while Vermont’s is 1.71 %. The lower rate in California translates into lower annual taxes for comparable home values, even though California’s median home price is considerably higher.
Side‑by‑side metrics
| Metric | California | Vermont |
|---|---|---|
| Effective property‑tax rate | 0.71 % | 1.71 % |
| Median home value | $695,400 | $290,500 |
| Median annual property tax | $4,926 | $4,956 |
| Tax on a $250,000 home | $1,771 | $4,265 |
| Tax on a $500,000 home | $3,542 | $8,530 |
| Median household income | $96,334 | $78,024 |
Source: According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey (5‑year estimates).
Which state “wins” on property tax?
Winner (lower tax rate): California
- Tax‑rate difference: 1.00 percentage point, which is a 58.48 % relative difference.
- Annual tax difference for a $250k home: $2,494 less in California.
- Annual tax difference for a $500k home: $4,988 less in California.
Because California’s effective property‑tax rate (0.71 %) is substantially lower than Vermont’s (1.71 %), the state imposes a smaller proportion of a home’s assessed value as tax. This holds true across the price points shown, even though the absolute median tax bills are close due to California’s higher median home values.
For readers who want more detail on each state’s tax rules, see the dedicated pages: California property tax and Vermont property tax.
Who benefits most from this comparison?
| Audience | Relevance of the comparison |
|---|---|
| Current homeowners | Understanding how their existing property‑tax burden might change if they relocate to the other state. |
| Prospective homebuyers | Evaluating the ongoing cost of ownership beyond purchase price, especially when comparing homes around $250 k–$500 k. |
| Retirees and fixed‑income households | Assessing which state offers a lower tax‑rate environment, which can affect disposable income in retirement. |
| Real‑estate investors | Comparing tax rates as part of a broader financial analysis of investment returns across states. |
| Policy analysts | Using the data as a baseline for studying the impact of property‑tax structures on affordability and revenue. |
The data presented are factual and derived from the most recent ACS estimates. No opinion or promotional language has been applied; the analysis is limited to the effective tax rate, median values, and calculated tax amounts for the specified home price points.
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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.