California vs West Virginia
West Virginia
Property‑Tax Comparison: California vs. West Virginia
Intro
Both California and West Virginia levy property taxes that fund local services such as schools, police, and infrastructure. According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2023 American Community Survey (5‑year estimates), the two states differ markedly in effective tax rates, home values, and the resulting annual tax bills. The table below presents the key metrics side by side.
Side‑by‑Side Metrics
| Metric | California | West Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| Effective property‑tax rate | 0.71 % | 0.54 % |
| Median home value | $695,400 | $155,600 |
| Median annual property tax | $4,926 | $835 |
| Property tax on a $250,000 home | $1,771 | $1,341 |
| Property tax on a $500,000 home | $3,542 | $2,683 |
| Median household income | $96,334 | $57,917 |
Sources: “According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2023 American Community Survey (5‑year estimates).”
Which State Has the Lower Property‑Tax Burden?
Based on the effective property‑tax rate, West Virginia is the lower‑tax jurisdiction. Its rate of 0.54 % is 0.17 percentage points (approximately 24.25 %) lower than California’s 0.71 %. The difference translates into:
- $430 less annual tax on a $250,000 home in West Virginia versus California.
- $859 less annual tax on a $500,000 home in West Virginia versus California.
Because the effective rate is the standard measure used to compare property‑tax burdens across states, West Virginia “wins” the comparison for having the lower rate.
Who Might Find This Comparison Most Relevant?
| Audience | Relevance of the Comparison |
|---|---|
| Current homeowners | Understanding how their existing property‑tax bill would change if they moved between the two states. |
| Prospective homebuyers | Evaluating the long‑term cost of owning a home, especially when the purchase price differs substantially. |
| Retirees | Assessing affordability of housing in retirement, where lower tax rates can reduce fixed‑income expenses. |
| Real‑estate investors | Comparing tax‑driven cash‑flow implications for rental properties in each market. |
| Policy analysts | Using the effective‑rate metric to study how state‑level tax policy impacts residents. |
The data are descriptive; they do not account for other cost‑of‑living factors, local tax exemptions, or variations in assessment practices.
Further Reading
- Detailed information on California’s property‑tax system: California property tax
- Detailed information on West Virginia’s property‑tax system: West Virginia property tax
Based on the most recent ACS estimates, West Virginia’s lower effective property‑tax rate makes it the less burdensome state for property owners, while California’s higher median home values and incomes result in larger absolute tax amounts.
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.