Hawaii vs Maine
Property Tax Comparison: Hawaii vs. Maine
Intro
Both Hawaii and Maine levy property taxes that fund local services such as schools, public safety, and infrastructure. The two states differ markedly in tax rates, home values, and household incomes. The following comparison uses the latest data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2023 American Community Survey (5‑year estimates) to present the key metrics side‑by‑side.
Side‑by‑Side Metrics
| Metric | Hawaii | Maine |
|---|---|---|
| Effective property tax rate | 0.27 % | 1.10 % |
| Median home value | $808,200 | $266,400 |
| Median annual property tax | $2,183 | $2,926 |
| Property tax on a $250,000 home | $675 | $2,746 |
| Property tax on a $500,000 home | $1,351 | $5,492 |
| Median household income | $98,317 | $71,773 |
| Link to state‑specific guide | Hawaii property tax | Maine property tax |
All figures are drawn from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2023 American Community Survey (5‑year estimates).
Which State Has the Lower Property Tax Burden?
Winner (lower tax rate): Hawaii
- Effective tax‑rate difference: 1.10 % – 0.27 % = 0.83 percentage points.
- Relative difference: 0.83 % ÷ 0.27 % ≈ 75.4 % higher in Maine.
Because the effective property tax rate is the primary determinant of the annual tax bill, Hawaii’s rate of 0.27 % is substantially lower than Maine’s 1.10 %. Consequently, property owners in Hawaii pay a smaller proportion of their home value in taxes.
Tax Amounts for Representative Home Values
| Home value | Annual tax in Hawaii | Annual tax in Maine | Difference (Maine – Hawaii) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $250,000 | $675 | $2,746 | $2,071 |
| $500,000 | $1,351 | $5,492 | $4,141 |
These calculations are based directly on the effective tax rates (tax = rate × home value). The dollar‑amount gap widens as home value increases, reflecting the higher rate applied in Maine.
Who Might Benefit From This Comparison?
| Audience | Relevance of the data |
|---|---|
| Current homeowners | Understanding how much annual property tax they would owe if they owned a home of a given value in either state. |
| Prospective homebuyers | Assessing the tax component of total housing costs when evaluating relocation options. |
| Retirees | Comparing the tax burden relative to fixed‑income budgets; lower rates (as in Hawaii) may reduce overall living expenses despite higher home prices. |
| Real‑estate investors | Evaluating operating costs that affect cash‑flow projections for rental properties. |
| Policy analysts | Examining how tax structures differ across states with varying median home values and incomes. |
The comparison is factual and does not prescribe a specific course of action. It simply presents the tax rates, typical tax amounts, and associated household‑income contexts for each state.
Sources
- U.S. Census Bureau, 2023 American Community Survey (5‑year estimates).
Data extracted for effective property tax rates, median home values, median annual property taxes, and median household incomes.
Based on the most recent ACS estimates, Hawaii’s effective property tax rate is 0.27 % and Maine’s is 1.10 %.
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.