

District Of Columbia vs New York
District of Columbia
Property Tax Comparison: District of Columbia vs. New York (2023 ACS)
According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey (5‑year estimates), the District of Columbia and New York state differ markedly in property‑tax burden, median home values, and household income. The following sections present the data side‑by‑side, identify which jurisdiction has the lower effective tax rate, and outline which groups of residents may be more affected by these differences.
Side‑by‑Side Metrics
| Metric | District of Columbia | New York |
|---|---|---|
| Effective property tax rate | 0.58 % | 1.60 % |
| Median home value | $724,600 | $403,000 |
| Median annual property tax | $4,180 | $6,450 |
| Property tax on a $250,000 home | $1,442 | $4,001 |
| Property tax on a $500,000 home | $2,885 | $8,003 |
| Median household income | $106,287 | $84,578 |
| Reference links | District of Columbia property tax | New York property tax |
All figures are drawn from the 2023 ACS 5‑year estimates.
Which Jurisdiction Has the Lower Property‑Tax Burden?
- Winner (lower tax rate): District of Columbia
- Effective tax‑rate difference: 1.02 percentage points, which represents a 63.96 % lower rate in the District of Columbia compared with New York.
- Annual tax difference on a $250,000 home: $2,559 lower in the District of Columbia.
- Annual tax difference on a $500,000 home: $5,118 lower in the District of Columbia.
Why the District of Columbia wins: The effective property tax rate of 0.58 % is roughly one‑third of New York’s rate of 1.60 %. Because the rate is applied to the assessed value of a property, the lower rate translates directly into lower annual tax bills across price ranges, as illustrated by the $250 k and $500 k examples.
Who Might Find This Comparison Most Relevant?
| Audience | Implications |
|---|---|
| Current homeowners | Owners of homes valued near the median will see a materially lower annual tax bill in the District of Columbia. For the same property value, New York homeowners pay roughly 1.5–2 times more in property taxes. |
| Prospective homebuyers | Buyers prioritizing lower ongoing property‑tax costs may prefer the District of Columbia, especially if the purchase price is comparable to New York’s median home value. |
| Retirees on fixed incomes | Because property taxes are a recurring expense, retirees may experience less financial strain in the District of Columbia, where the median household income is also higher. |
| Real‑estate investors | Investors focused on cash‑flow after taxes may achieve higher net operating income in the District of Columbia due to the lower effective tax rate. |
| Policy analysts | The data illustrate how differing tax structures can affect affordability, municipal revenue, and the relative burden on residents across jurisdictions. |
All observations are derived directly from the census data; they do not incorporate local exemptions, abatements, or other tax credits that may further affect individual tax liability.
Sources
- U.S. Census Bureau, 2023 American Community Survey (5‑year estimates) – property tax rates, home values, and household income.
- Internal reference pages: District of Columbia property tax and New York property tax.
Based on the most recent ACS estimates, the District of Columbia has a substantially lower effective property‑tax rate than New York, resulting in lower annual tax payments for comparable property values.
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.