Delaware vs West Virginia
Property‑Tax Comparison: Delaware vs. West Virginia
Intro
Both Delaware and West Virginia levy property taxes that fund local services such as schools, roads, and public safety. According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey (5‑year estimates), the two states have very similar effective property‑tax rates, but the slight variations in rates, home values, and household incomes produce modest differences in the amount homeowners pay each year.
Side‑by‑side comparison
| Metric | Delaware | West Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| Effective property‑tax rate | 0.53 % | 0.54 % |
| Median home value | $326,800 | $155,600 |
| Median annual property tax | $1,731 | $835 |
| Tax on a $250,000 home | $1,324 | $1,341 |
| Tax on a $500,000 home | $2,649 | $2,683 |
| Median household income | $82,855 | $57,917 |
| Internal link | Delaware property tax | West Virginia property tax |
All figures are drawn 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): Delaware (0.53 % vs. 0.54 %).
- Rate difference: 0.01 percentage point, which is a 1.29 % relative difference (0.01 ÷ 0.54 ≈ 0.0185, or 1.85 %; the provided 1.29 % figure reflects the source’s calculation).
- Annual tax difference on a $250,000 home: $17 less in Delaware.
- Annual tax difference on a $500,000 home: $34 less in Delaware.
The lower effective rate means that, pound for pound, Delaware’s property‑tax system imposes a slightly smaller percentage of a home’s assessed value than West Virginia’s. Consequently, for identical property values, Delaware homeowners pay marginally less each year.
Who benefits most from this comparison?
| Audience | Relevance of the data |
|---|---|
| Current homeowners | The table shows the median tax bill they can expect based on local home values and the effective rate. |
| Prospective homebuyers | Knowing the effective rate and typical tax amounts helps compare overall housing‑cost affordability between the two states. |
| Retirees | Lower effective rates can reduce fixed‑income expenses; however, retirees should also weigh median household income and cost‑of‑living factors. |
| Real‑estate investors | The tax differential on higher‑value homes ($500 k) illustrates the incremental cost of owning more expensive properties. |
| Policy analysts | The side‑by‑side data provide a concise snapshot for comparing state‑level tax structures. |
All groups benefit from a factual, rate‑based comparison rather than subjective assessments. The information is purely descriptive and does not constitute financial advice.
Summary
Based on the most recent ACS estimates, Delaware’s effective property‑tax rate (0.53 %) is marginally lower than West Virginia’s (0.54 %). This results in small but measurable savings for owners of $250 k and $500 k properties—$17 and $34 per year, respectively. While the difference is modest, it may be a relevant factor for homeowners, prospective buyers, retirees, and investors when evaluating overall housing costs in each state.
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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.