District Of Columbia vs Pennsylvania
District of Columbia
Property‑Tax Comparison: District of Columbia vs. Pennsylvania
Overview
Both the District of Columbia (DC) and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania 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 less than half of Pennsylvania’s. The two jurisdictions also differ markedly in median home values, median household incomes, and the resulting annual tax amounts for typical home price points.
Side‑by‑side metrics
| Metric (2023 ACS) | District of Columbia | Pennsylvania |
|---|---|---|
| Effective property‑tax rate | 0.58 % | 1.35 % |
| Median home value | $724,600 | $240,500 |
| Median annual property tax | $4,180 | $3,241 |
| Tax on a $250,000 home | $1,442 | $3,369 |
| Tax on a $500,000 home | $2,885 | $6,738 |
| Median household income | $106,287 | $76,081 |
| Reference link | District of Columbia property tax | Pennsylvania property tax |
All figures are taken 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: 0.77 percentage points, which is a 57.19 % lower effective rate in DC compared with Pennsylvania.
- Annual tax difference on a $250,000 home: $1,927 less in DC.
- Annual tax difference on a $500,000 home: $3,853 less in DC.
The lower effective rate in DC translates into smaller tax bills for the same property value, even though DC’s median home price is considerably higher than Pennsylvania’s. The absolute median annual tax is higher in DC ($4,180 vs. $3,241) because of the larger median home value, but the per‑dollar tax burden remains lower.
Who benefits most from this comparison?
| Audience | Relevance of the data |
|---|---|
| Current or prospective homeowners | The effective tax rate directly affects the cost of owning a home. Buyers comparing properties of similar price in the two areas can use the rate and dollar‑amount differences to estimate ongoing tax expenses. |
| Retirees on fixed incomes | A lower effective rate may be advantageous for retirees who wish to minimize recurring housing costs, especially if they own a modest‑valued home. |
| Real‑estate investors | Understanding the tax rate helps investors evaluate after‑tax cash flow and total cost of ownership across jurisdictions. |
| Policy analysts / researchers | The contrast illustrates how tax policy interacts with median home values and household incomes, providing a data point for broader fiscal studies. |
All groups should consider that property‑tax rates are only one component of total housing costs; other factors such as local sales taxes, income taxes, and cost‑of‑living variations also influence overall affordability.
Summary
Based on the most recent ACS estimates, the District of Columbia imposes a lower effective property‑tax rate (0.58 %) than Pennsylvania (1.35 %). This rate advantage results in lower tax payments for identical property values, despite DC’s higher median home price. Stakeholders—homebuyers, retirees, investors, and analysts—can use these figures to assess the relative property‑tax burden in each jurisdiction.
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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.