District Of Columbia vs Rhode Island
District of Columbia
Property‑Tax Comparison: District of Columbia vs. Rhode Island
According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey (5‑year estimates), the District of Columbia and Rhode Island differ markedly in how much homeowners pay in property taxes. The following sections present the key metrics side‑by‑side, identify which jurisdiction has the lower effective tax rate, and outline the types of residents for whom the comparison is most relevant.
Side‑by‑side metrics
| Metric | District of Columbia | Rhode Island |
|---|---|---|
| Effective property‑tax rate* | 0.58 % | 1.32 % |
| Median home value | $724,600 | $368,800 |
| Median annual property tax | $4,180 | $4,854 |
| Property tax on a $250,000 home | $1,442 | $3,291 |
| Property tax on a $500,000 home | $2,885 | $6,581 |
| Median household income | $106,287 | $86,372 |
| Internal link | District of Columbia property tax | Rhode Island property tax |
*Effective property‑tax rate = median annual property tax ÷ median home value.
Which jurisdiction “wins” on property tax?
Based on the lower effective property‑tax rate, the District of Columbia is the winner.
- Rate difference: 1.32 % – 0.58 % = 0.74 percentage points.
- Relative difference: (0.74 % ÷ 0.58 %) ≈ 56 % higher in Rhode Island than in the District of Columbia.
- Annual tax on a $250k home: $3,291 (RI) – $1,442 (DC) = $1,849 more in Rhode Island.
- Annual tax on a $500k home: $6,581 (RI) – $2,885 (DC) = $3,696 more in Rhode Island.
Because the District of Columbia’s effective rate is roughly half that of Rhode Island, homeowners of comparable property values will pay significantly less in annual property tax in the District of Columbia.
Who benefits most from this comparison?
| Audience | Relevance of the comparison |
|---|---|
| Current or prospective homeowners | Directly see how the same‑priced home would be taxed in each jurisdiction. |
| Retirees and fixed‑income households | Lower property‑tax obligations can affect affordability; the District of Columbia’s lower rate may be advantageous. |
| Real‑estate investors | Understanding tax differentials helps evaluate after‑tax cash flow for properties in either market. |
| Policy analysts or local‑government researchers | The data illustrate how tax structures vary across jurisdictions with different median home values and incomes. |
The comparison is factual and does not prescribe a choice; it simply highlights the quantitative differences in property‑tax burden between the two jurisdictions.
Sources
- U.S. Census Bureau, 2023 American Community Survey (5‑year estimates) – property‑tax data, median home values, and median household incomes.
All figures are presented exactly as reported in the ACS 2023 5‑year dataset.
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.