California vs Washington
California
Property‑Tax Comparison: California vs. Washington
Introduction
Both California and Washington levy property taxes that fund local services such as schools, public safety, and infrastructure. The two states differ in median home values, effective tax rates, and the resulting annual tax payments. The following comparison uses the most recent data from the U.S. Census Bureau.
Side‑by‑side metrics
| Metric | California | Washington |
|---|---|---|
| Effective property tax rate | 0.71 % | 0.84 % |
| Median home value | $695,400 | $519,800 |
| Median annual property tax | $4,926 | $4,361 |
| Tax on a $250,000 home | $1,771 | $2,098 |
| Tax on a $500,000 home | $3,542 | $4,195 |
| Median household income | $96,334 | $94,952 |
All figures are from the U.S. Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey (5‑year estimates).
Which state has the lower property‑tax burden?
- Winner (lower effective rate): California (0.71 % vs. 0.84 %).
- Rate difference: 0.13 percentage points, which is a 15.57 % lower rate in California relative to Washington.
- Annual tax difference on a $250 k home: $327 less in California.
- Annual tax difference on a $500 k home: $653 less in California.
Why California wins – The effective property‑tax rate is the primary factor that determines the amount of tax owed relative to property value. Because California’s rate (0.71 %) is lower than Washington’s (0.84 %), the same‑valued property generates less tax in California, even though California’s median home price is higher.
Who is likely to benefit from this comparison?
| Audience | Relevance of the comparison |
|---|---|
| Current homeowners | Understanding the tax portion of total housing costs can aid budgeting and long‑term financial planning. |
| Prospective homebuyers | The effective tax rate helps estimate future property‑tax expenses for homes at different price points. |
| Retirees | Lower property‑tax rates can reduce fixed‑income housing expenses, making California comparatively more favorable on that metric. |
| Real‑estate investors | The rate differential influences cash‑flow projections for rental properties in each state. |
| Policy analysts | The data illustrate how state‑level tax structures interact with median home values and household incomes. |
The comparison is most directly useful for individuals or entities that own or intend to own residential real estate in either state. It does not account for other tax categories (e.g., income or sales tax), nor does it consider local variations within each state.
Sources
- U.S. Census Bureau, 2023 American Community Survey (5‑year estimates).
- For detailed state‑specific information, see the internal pages: California property tax and Washington property tax.
Based on the most recent ACS estimates, California presently imposes a lower effective property‑tax rate than Washington, resulting in smaller annual tax payments for comparable property 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.