Delaware vs Puerto Rico
Property‑Tax Comparison: Delaware vs. Puerto Rico
Both Delaware and Puerto Rico levy property taxes that are collected at the local level. The figures below come from the U.S. Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey (5‑year estimates) and reflect the most recent publicly available data for each jurisdiction.
Side‑by‑side metrics
| Metric | Delaware | Puerto Rico |
|---|---|---|
| Effective property‑tax rate | 0.53 % | 0.50 % |
| Median home value | $326,800 | $124,600 |
| Median annual property tax | $1,731 | $627 |
| Annual tax on a $250,000 home | $1,324 | $1,258 |
| Annual tax on a $500,000 home | $2,649 | $2,516 |
| Median household income | $82,855 | $25,096 |
All dollar amounts are in U.S. dollars.
Which jurisdiction has the lower tax burden?
- Winner (lower effective rate): Puerto Rico
- Rate difference: 0.03 percentage points (approximately a 5.7 % lower rate relative to Delaware).
- Annual tax difference on a $250,000 home: $66 less in Puerto Rico.
- Annual tax difference on a $500,000 home: $133 less in Puerto Rico.
Why Puerto Rico wins: The effective property‑tax rate of 0.50 % in Puerto Rico is marginally lower than Delaware’s 0.53 %. Because the rate is applied to the assessed value of the property, the lower rate translates into modestly lower annual taxes for comparable home values.
Who might find this comparison most relevant?
| Audience | Relevance of the comparison |
|---|---|
| Current homeowners | Understanding how their annual property‑tax expense could change if they relocate between the two jurisdictions. |
| Prospective homebuyers | Evaluating the long‑term cost of owning a home in each location, especially when budgeting against median household incomes. |
| Retirees | Comparing tax burdens in the context of typical retirement incomes; the lower median income in Puerto Rico makes the relative tax cost a more significant factor. |
| Real‑estate investors | Assessing property‑tax expense as part of total holding costs for rental or resale properties. |
| Policy analysts | Using the data to examine how tax structures align with income levels and home‑value markets in each jurisdiction. |
The comparison is purely quantitative; it does not address other tax categories (e.g., income or sales tax), public‑service levels, or quality‑of‑life factors that may also influence relocation decisions.
Sources
- According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey (5‑year estimates) for both Delaware and Puerto Rico.
- Internal reference links:
All figures are presented as reported by the ACS and are subject to revision in future releases.
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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.