District Of Columbia vs Puerto Rico
District of Columbia
Property‑Tax Comparison: District of Columbia vs. Puerto Rico
Intro
Both the District of Columbia (D.C.) and Puerto Rico levy property taxes on real‑estate owners, but the rates and resulting tax bills differ markedly. Using the most recent data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2023 American Community Survey (5‑year estimates), this article presents a side‑by‑side view of key metrics, identifies which jurisdiction has the lower effective property‑tax rate, and notes the types of homeowners for whom the information may be most relevant.
Side‑by‑Side Metrics
| Metric | District of Columbia | Puerto Rico |
|---|---|---|
| Effective property‑tax rate | 0.58 % | 0.50 % |
| Median home value | $724,600 | $124,600 |
| Median annual property tax | $4,180 | $627 |
| Tax on a $250,000 home | $1,442 | $1,258 |
| Tax on a $500,000 home | $2,885 | $2,516 |
| Median household income | $106,287 | $25,096 |
| Reference link | District of Columbia property tax | Puerto Rico 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 Rate?
Winner (lower effective property‑tax rate): Puerto Rico
- Rate difference: 0.07 percentage points, which is a 12.78 % lower rate in Puerto Rico compared with D.C.
- Annual tax difference on a $250,000 home: $184 less in Puerto Rico ($1,258 vs. $1,442).
- Annual tax difference on a $500,000 home: $369 less in Puerto Rico ($2,516 vs. $2,885).
The lower effective rate in Puerto Rico results from both a smaller nominal rate (0.50 % vs. 0.58 %) and a considerably lower median home valuation. Consequently, property‑tax bills are lower in absolute terms despite the higher rate that would apply to a comparable‑value home in D.C.
Who Might Use This Comparison?
| Audience | Why the data matters |
|---|---|
| Current homeowners | Understanding the relative tax burden can inform decisions about relocating or refinancing. |
| Prospective homebuyers | The effective tax rate and expected annual tax payments help estimate total housing costs in each jurisdiction. |
| Retirees | Since retirees often rely on fixed incomes, lower property‑tax obligations (as seen in Puerto Rico) may be a factor in choosing a residence. |
| Real‑estate investors | Effective tax rates affect cash‑flow projections and long‑term return calculations. |
| Policy analysts | The contrast illustrates how tax structures interact with median home values and household incomes. |
All audiences should also consider other fiscal factors—such as income tax, sales tax, and cost‑of‑living differences—because property tax is only one component of overall tax liability.
Summary
Based on the most recent ACS estimates, Puerto Rico’s effective property‑tax rate of 0.50 % is lower than the District of Columbia’s 0.58 %. This translates to modest annual savings of $184–$369 for typical home values of $250k–$500k. The comparison is most useful for homeowners, prospective buyers, retirees, and investors who need to assess the property‑tax component of total housing costs in these two U.S. jurisdictions.
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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.