District Of Columbia vs Kentucky
District of Columbia
Property‑Tax Comparison: District of Columbia vs. Kentucky
Summary
Both the District of Columbia (DC) and the Commonwealth of Kentucky levy property taxes that fund local services such as schools, public safety, and infrastructure. According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey (5‑year estimates), DC has a lower effective property‑tax rate than Kentucky, which translates into lower annual tax bills for comparable home values.
Side‑by‑side key metrics
| Metric | District of Columbia | Kentucky |
|---|---|---|
| Effective property‑tax rate | 0.58% | 0.77% |
| Median home value | $724,600 | $192,300 |
| Median annual property tax | $4,180 | $1,472 |
| Tax on a $250,000 home | $1,442 | $1,914 |
| Tax on a $500,000 home | $2,885 | $3,827 |
| Median household income | $106,287 | $62,417 |
| Reference links | District of Columbia property tax | Kentucky property tax |
All figures are drawn from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2023 American Community Survey (5‑year estimates).
Which jurisdiction has the lower tax burden?
- Winner (lower effective rate): District of Columbia
- Rate difference: 0.19 percentage points, which is a 24.64 % lower rate than Kentucky’s 0.77 %
- Annual tax difference for a $250 k home: $472 (DC $1,442 vs. KY $1,914)
- Annual tax difference for a $500 k home: $942 (DC $2,885 vs. KY $3,827)
Why DC wins
The lower effective property‑tax rate (0.58 % vs. 0.77 %) directly reduces the amount of tax owed per dollar of assessed value. Consequently, even though DC’s median home values are substantially higher, the tax owed on a given property price is still less than in Kentucky.
Who might find this comparison most useful?
| Audience | Relevance of the comparison |
|---|---|
| Current homeowners | Understanding how their property‑tax bill could change if they relocate between DC and Kentucky. |
| Prospective homebuyers | Evaluating the ongoing cost of ownership in addition to purchase price. |
| Retirees and fixed‑income households | Assessing affordability of housing based on tax burden relative to median household income in each jurisdiction. |
| Financial planners / advisors | Providing clients with data‑driven insight into regional tax differences for budgeting and investment decisions. |
| Policy analysts | Comparing tax structures across jurisdictions for research or legislative review. |
The data indicate that, on a per‑dollar‑of‑value basis, DC imposes a lower property‑tax burden than Kentucky. However, overall affordability also depends on home prices, income levels, and other cost‑of‑living factors, which vary considerably between the two areas.
Sources
According to U.S. Census Bureau data (2023 American Community Survey, 5‑year estimates), the figures above reflect the most recent publicly available estimates for effective property‑tax rates, median home values, tax amounts, and household incomes for the District of Columbia and Kentucky.
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.