District Of Columbia vs Nebraska
District of Columbia
Property‑Tax Comparison: District of Columbia vs. Nebraska
Introduction
Both the District of Columbia (DC) and the state of Nebraska levy property taxes that fund local services such as schools, public safety, and infrastructure. The two jurisdictions differ markedly in median home values, effective tax rates, and the amount of tax that homeowners would pay on typical properties. The data below come from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2023 American Community Survey (5‑year estimates).
Side‑by‑side metrics
| Metric | District of Columbia | Nebraska |
|---|---|---|
| Effective property‑tax rate | 0.58 % | 1.50 % |
| Median home value | $724,600 | $223,800 |
| Median annual property tax | $4,180 | $3,350 |
| Tax on a $250,000 home | $1,442 | $3,742 |
| Tax on a $500,000 home | $2,885 | $7,485 |
| Median household income | $106,287 | $74,985 |
| Link | District of Columbia property tax | Nebraska property tax |
All figures are based on the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2023 ACS 5‑year estimates.
Which jurisdiction has the lower property‑tax burden?
Winner (lower effective tax rate): District of Columbia
- Rate difference: 0.92 percentage points, which is a 61.46 % lower rate in DC than in Nebraska.
- Annual tax difference on a $250k home: $2,300 less in DC.
- Annual tax difference on a $500k home: $4,600 less in DC.
The lower effective tax rate in DC offsets its higher median home values, resulting in a median annual property tax that is only modestly higher than Nebraska’s despite DC homes being, on average, more than three times as valuable.
Who is this comparison most relevant for?
| Audience | Relevance of the comparison |
|---|---|
| Current or prospective homeowners | Understanding how the tax rate and assessed value interact helps estimate annual housing costs in each jurisdiction. |
| Homebuyers weighing affordability | A lower effective tax rate (DC) may reduce the tax portion of total housing expenses, though higher home prices in DC can offset that advantage. |
| Retirees on fixed incomes | Property‑tax rate alone matters less than the absolute amount paid; Nebraska’s lower median home values can lead to lower total tax bills despite a higher rate. |
| Real‑estate investors | Effective tax rate influences cash‑flow calculations; DC’s lower rate may improve after‑tax returns on high‑value properties, while Nebraska’s higher rate could impact lower‑priced assets. |
| Policy analysts | The data illustrate how tax‑rate structures differ between a high‑cost urban district and a predominantly rural state, useful for comparative fiscal studies. |
All observations are derived directly from the cited ACS data and do not incorporate state‑level exemptions, credits, or local variations that may affect individual tax liabilities.
Summary
Based on the most recent ACS estimates, the District of Columbia imposes a significantly lower effective property‑tax rate than Nebraska (0.58 % vs. 1.50 %). Consequently, for identical home values, DC taxpayers would pay less in property tax. However, because median home values in DC are substantially higher, the absolute median tax paid in DC ($4,180) is only slightly above Nebraska’s median ($3,350). The choice between the two jurisdictions should consider both the tax rate and the typical property values that affect total tax liability.
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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.