Georgia vs Washington
Property Tax Comparison: Georgia vs. Washington
Intro
Both Georgia and Washington levy property taxes that fund local services such as schools, roads, and public safety. According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey (5‑year estimates), the two states have similar effective property tax rates, but there are notable differences in home values, median tax bills, and household incomes. The following sections present the data side‑by‑side and identify which state has the lower tax burden based on the effective tax rate.
Side‑by‑Side Metrics
| Metric (2023 ACS) | Georgia | Washington |
|---|---|---|
| Effective property tax rate | 0.81 % | 0.84 % |
| Median home value | $272,900 | $519,800 |
| Median annual property tax | $2,214 | $4,361 |
| Tax on a $250,000 home | $2,028 | $2,098 |
| Tax on a $500,000 home | $4,057 | $4,195 |
| Median household income | $74,664 | $94,952 |
Sources: “According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey (5‑year estimates).”
Who Wins on Property Tax?
- Winner (lower effective tax rate): Georgia
- Rate difference: 0.03 % (Georgia’s rate is 3.30 % lower than Washington’s).
- Annual tax difference on a $250k home: $70 less in Georgia.
- Annual tax difference on a $500k home: $138 less in Georgia.
The lower effective rate in Georgia translates into slightly smaller tax bills for comparable home values, even though Washington’s median home price is nearly double Georgia’s. Consequently, homeowners with the same property value will pay modestly less in Georgia than in Washington.
Which Audiences Might Find This Comparison Most Relevant?
| Audience | Relevance of the Comparison |
|---|---|
| Current or prospective homeowners | Understanding the relative tax burden helps evaluate affordability when comparing homes in the two states. |
| Retirees planning relocation | Property taxes affect fixed‑income budgets; a lower rate (Georgia) may be preferable if other cost‑of‑living factors are similar. |
| Real‑estate investors | Tax rates influence cash‑flow projections; the marginal differences shown above can affect net returns. |
| Policy analysts or researchers | The data illustrate how tax policy interacts with home values and income levels across states. |
The comparison is purely quantitative; it does not account for other fiscal elements such as state income taxes, sales taxes, or local fee structures.
Further Reading
- Detailed information on Georgia’s property tax system: Georgia property tax
- Detailed information on Washington’s property tax system: Washington property tax
Based on the most recent ACS estimates, Georgia’s effective property tax rate is marginally lower than Washington’s, resulting in slightly smaller annual tax obligations 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.