Delaware vs Hawaii
Property‑Tax Comparison: Delaware vs. Hawaii
Both Delaware and Hawaii levy taxes on real‑estate ownership, but the rates and resulting dollar amounts differ noticeably. The data below come from the U.S. Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey (5‑year estimates) and reflect the most recent publicly available figures for each state.
Side‑by‑Side Metrics
| Metric | Delaware | Hawaii |
|---|---|---|
| Effective property‑tax rate | 0.53 % | 0.27 % |
| Median home value | $326,800 | $808,200 |
| Median annual property tax | $1,731 | $2,183 |
| Tax on a $250,000 home | $1,324 | $675 |
| Tax on a $500,000 home | $2,649 | $1,351 |
| Median household income | $82,855 | $98,317 |
Sources: Delaware property tax; Hawaii property tax.
Which State Has the Lower Tax Burden?
Winner (lower effective rate): Hawaii
- Effective‑rate difference: 0.53 % – 0.27 % = 0.26 percentage points.
- Relative difference: 0.26 % is roughly 49 % lower than Delaware’s rate (0.26 ÷ 0.53 ≈ 0.49).
- Dollar‑value impact:
- On a $250,000 home, Delaware’s tax is $1,324 versus Hawaii’s $675, a $649 annual savings in Hawaii.
- On a $500,000 home, the gap widens to $1,298 ($2,649 vs. $1,351).
Because the effective property‑tax rate is the primary determinant of the tax amount, Hawaii consistently yields the lower burden across comparable home values.
Who Is This Comparison Most Relevant For?
| Audience | Relevance of the Data |
|---|---|
| Current or prospective homeowners | Understanding the ongoing cost of ownership; lower rates in Hawaii reduce annual cash‑flow requirements despite higher home values. |
| Retirees and fixed‑income households | Property‑tax savings can be significant for budgeting; Hawaii’s lower rate may offset higher housing prices, while Delaware’s higher rate may be offset by lower median home values. |
| Real‑estate investors | Effective tax rate directly affects net operating income; a lower rate in Hawaii improves cash‑on‑cash returns on comparable properties. |
| Policy analysts | The contrast illustrates how states with differing median home values can still have divergent tax burdens, useful for fiscal‑impact studies. |
Summary
Based on U.S. Census Bureau data, Hawaii’s effective property‑tax rate of 0.27 % is nearly half the rate in Delaware (0.53 %). This results in lower annual taxes for identical home values, making Hawaii the “winner” in a direct rate comparison. However, the overall tax burden for an individual also depends on home price, household income, and personal financial circumstances.
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.