District Of Columbia vs Mississippi
District of Columbia
Property Tax Comparison: District of Columbia vs. Mississippi
Brief Overview
Both the District of Columbia (DC) and the state of Mississippi 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’s effective property tax rate is lower than Mississippi’s, despite DC’s higher median home values and household incomes.
Side‑by‑Side Comparison
| Metric | District of Columbia | Mississippi |
|---|---|---|
| Effective property tax rate | 0.58% | 0.74% |
| Median home value | $724,600 | $161,400 |
| Median annual property tax | $4,180 | $1,189 |
| Property tax on a $250,000 home | $1,442 | $1,842 |
| Property tax on a $500,000 home | $2,885 | $3,684 |
| Median household income | $106,287 | $54,915 |
| Reference links | District of Columbia property tax | Mississippi property tax |
All figures are drawn from the 2023 ACS 5‑year estimates.
Which Jurisdiction Has the Lower Tax Burden?
- Winner (lower effective rate): District of Columbia
- Rate difference: 0.16 percentage points, which is a 21.69 % lower rate than Mississippi’s.
- Annual tax difference on a $250,000 home: $400 less in DC.
- Annual tax difference on a $500,000 home: $799 less in DC.
Why DC wins: The effective property tax rate of 0.58 % in DC is modest compared with Mississippi’s 0.74 %. Even though DC’s median home values are substantially higher, the lower rate translates into a smaller tax bill for identical property values.
Who Might Benefit From This Comparison?
| Audience | Relevance of DC vs. MS Tax Structure |
|---|---|
| Current homeowners | Homeowners with similar‑valued properties can expect a lower tax bill in DC because of the lower rate, despite higher home prices. |
| Prospective homebuyers | Buyers evaluating affordability should consider both the tax rate and the underlying home values; DC’s lower rate may offset higher purchase prices for some buyers. |
| Retirees | Retirees on fixed incomes may favor jurisdictions with lower tax rates. However, the overall cost of living, including housing prices, must also be considered. |
| Real‑estate investors | Investors comparing cash‑flow after taxes will see a lower property‑tax expense in DC for a given property value, but the higher median home price may affect acquisition costs. |
| Policy analysts | The data illustrate how effective tax rates can differ markedly from nominal rates and how they interact with local home‑value markets. |
All observations are based on the most recent ACS estimates and do not incorporate other local fees, state income taxes, or cost‑of‑living factors.
Summary
Based on the U.S. Census Bureau data, the District of Columbia has a lower effective property tax rate than Mississippi (0.58 % vs. 0.74 %). This results in modestly lower annual taxes for comparable property values, even though DC’s median home price is considerably higher. The comparison is most pertinent for homeowners, prospective buyers, retirees, and investors who assess the total cost of property ownership across different jurisdictions.
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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.