Delaware vs Illinois
Property Tax Comparison: Delaware vs. Illinois
Summary – According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey (5‑year estimates), Delaware’s effective property‑tax rate is 0.53 %, while Illinois’s rate is 2.07 %. The lower rate in Delaware translates into substantially lower annual property‑tax bills for comparable home values.
Side‑by‑Side Metrics
| Metric | Delaware | Illinois |
|---|---|---|
| Effective property‑tax rate | 0.53 % | 2.07 % |
| Median home value | $326,800 | $250,500 |
| Median annual property tax | $1,731 | $5,189 |
| Property tax on a $250,000 home | $1,324 | $5,179 |
| Property tax on a $500,000 home | $2,649 | $10,357 |
| Median household income | $82,855 | $81,702 |
Sources: “According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey (5‑year estimates).”
Which State Has the Lower Property‑Tax Burden?
- Winner (lower tax rate): Delaware
- Rate difference: 1.54 percentage points, which is a 74.43 % lower effective rate than Illinois.
- Annual tax difference on a $250,000 home: $3,855 (Delaware $1,324 vs. Illinois $5,179).
- Annual tax difference on a $500,000 home: $7,708 (Delaware $2,649 vs. Illinois $10,357).
Why Delaware wins: The effective property‑tax rate (taxes divided by home value) is the primary driver of the overall burden. Delaware’s rate of 0.53 % is roughly one‑quarter of Illinois’s 2.07 %, resulting in lower annual payments even though the median home price in Delaware is higher.
Who Might Benefit Most from This Comparison?
| Audience | Relevance of the Comparison |
|---|---|
| Current homeowners | Understanding how their property‑tax bill compares to another state can inform decisions about relocation or refinancing. |
| Prospective homebuyers | Lower tax rates in Delaware may reduce total housing costs, especially for buyers of higher‑priced homes. |
| Retirees | Fixed‑income households often prioritize lower ongoing expenses; Delaware’s lower property tax can be a factor in retirement‑location planning. |
| Real‑estate investors | Property‑tax differentials affect cash‑flow projections; Delaware’s lower rates may improve net operating income on comparable properties. |
| Policy analysts | The data illustrate the impact of state‑level tax structures on household financial obligations. |
The comparison is factual and does not imply that one state is universally “better”; it simply presents the measurable differences in property‑tax burdens.
Further Reading
- Detailed information on Delaware’s property‑tax system: Delaware property tax
- Detailed information on Illinois’s property‑tax system: Illinois property tax
Based on the most recent ACS estimates, the figures above reflect median values and rates calculated at the state level. Local variations (e.g., county or municipal rates) may cause actual tax bills to differ from these state‑wide averages.
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.