Hawaii vs New Jersey

Property‑Tax Comparison: Hawaii vs. New Jersey

Both Hawaii and New Jersey impose taxes on real‑estate ownership, but the burden differs markedly. The tables and calculations below use the latest figures from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2023 American Community Survey (5‑year estimates).

Side‑by‑side key metrics

Sources: According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey (5‑year estimates).

Which state has the lower tax burden?

Winner (lower effective rate): Hawaii

• Rate difference: 2.23 % – 0.27 % = 1.96 percentage points.
• Relative difference: Hawaii’s rate is about 87.9 % lower than New Jersey’s (1.96 ÷ 2.23 ≈ 0.879).
• Annual tax on a $250 k home: $5,578 (NJ) – $675 (HI) = $4,903.
• Annual tax on a $500 k home: $11,157 (NJ) – $1,351 (HI) = $9,806.

The lower effective tax rate in Hawaii translates into substantially smaller annual tax payments for comparable property values.

Who might find this comparison most relevant?

• Current or prospective homeowners evaluating the ongoing cost of owning a residence in either state.
• Retirees who often consider property‑tax levels when selecting a location with fixed income.
• Real‑estate investors comparing operating expenses across jurisdictions.
• Policy analysts reviewing state‑level tax structures.

The data presented are purely quantitative; factors such as local services, cost of living, or climate are not addressed in this comparison.

Further reading

• Detailed information on Hawaii’s property‑tax system: Hawaii property tax
• Detailed information on New Jersey’s property‑tax system: New Jersey property tax

Based on the most recent ACS estimates, Hawaii’s effective property‑tax rate is considerably lower than New Jersey’s, resulting in lower annual tax liabilities for comparable home values.