Hawaii vs Washington
Property‑Tax Comparison: Hawaii vs. Washington
Overview
Both Hawaii and Washington levy property taxes that fund local services such as schools, public safety, and infrastructure. According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2023 American Community Survey (5‑year estimates), Hawaii’s effective property‑tax rate is considerably lower than Washington’s, which results in lower annual tax bills for comparable home values in the Pacific‑state market.
Side‑by‑side metrics
| Metric | Hawaii | Washington |
|---|---|---|
| Effective property‑tax rate | 0.27 % | 0.84 % |
| Median home value | $808,200 | $519,800 |
| Median annual property tax | $2,183 | $4,361 |
| Tax on a $250,000 home | $675 | $2,098 |
| Tax on a $500,000 home | $1,351 | $4,195 |
| Median household income | $98,317 | $94,952 |
| Source | U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 (5‑yr) | Same as above |
Internal links:
- Detailed state information: Hawaii property tax
- Detailed state information: Washington property tax
Which state “wins” on property tax?
Winner (lower tax burden): Hawaii
Why
- Hawaii’s effective property‑tax rate of 0.27 % is 0.57 percentage points lower than Washington’s 0.84 %.
- This represents a 67.81 % lower rate (0.27 % ÷ 0.84 % ≈ 0.321, i.e., 32.1 % of Washington’s rate, so the difference is roughly 68 %).
- For a $250,000 home, the annual tax in Hawaii is $675, compared with $2,098 in Washington—a difference of $1,423.
- For a $500,000 home, the annual tax in Hawaii is $1,351, versus $4,195 in Washington—a difference of $2,844.
These calculations are based on the effective tax rates and median home‑value assumptions supplied by the ACS data.
Who might benefit most from this comparison?
| Audience | Relevance of the data |
|---|---|
| Current homeowners | The lower effective rate in Hawaii means existing property owners in that state pay less annually, all else equal. |
| Prospective homebuyers | Buyers comparing affordability across states can use the tax figures to estimate total housing costs. |
| Retirees | Since property taxes are a recurring expense, retirees on fixed incomes may find Hawaii’s lower rates more budget‑friendly, though overall cost of living and housing prices also matter. |
| Real‑estate investors | Investors focused on cash‑flow calculations will see a smaller tax expense in Hawaii, but must weigh this against higher median home values. |
| Policy analysts | The stark contrast in effective rates provides a clear illustration of state‑level fiscal policy differences. |
All observations are factual and derived from the same ACS dataset; no subjective judgments are introduced.
Summary
Based on the most recent ACS estimates, Hawaii’s effective property‑tax rate (0.27 %) is substantially lower than Washington’s (0.84 %). Consequently, homeowners—whether primary residents, retirees, or investors—face lower annual property‑tax obligations in Hawaii for comparable home values. The data presented here is intended for objective comparison and does not constitute financial or tax advice.
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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.