Idaho vs Utah
Property‑Tax Comparison: Idaho vs. Utah
According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey (5‑year estimates), Idaho and Utah have the same effective property‑tax rate of 0.53 %. Median home values, median household incomes, and the resulting annual tax payments differ slightly between the two states. The data below summarizes the key metrics that affect homeowners and other property owners.
Side‑by‑side metrics
| Metric | Idaho | Utah |
|---|---|---|
| Effective property‑tax rate | 0.53 % | 0.53 % |
| Median home value | $376,000 | $455,000 |
| Median annual property tax | $2,006 | $2,412 |
| Tax on a $250,000 home | $1,334 | $1,325 |
| Tax on a $500,000 home | $2,667 | $2,651 |
| Median household income | $74,636 | $91,750 |
| Idaho property tax | ||
| Utah property tax |
All figures are drawn from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2023 ACS 5‑year estimates.
Which state “wins” on property tax?
The comparison hinges on the effective tax rate. Because both states report an identical rate of 0.53 %, there is no advantage based solely on the percentage itself.
However, when the tax liability is expressed in dollar terms for specific home values, Utah’s taxes are marginally lower:
- $250,000 home: Utah tax is $9 less than Idaho’s ($1,325 vs. $1,334).
- $500,000 home: Utah tax is $16 less than Idaho’s ($2,651 vs. $2,667).
Thus, based on the absolute tax amount, Utah can be considered the “winner,” albeit by a very small margin.
Who benefits from this comparison?
| Audience | Relevance of the data |
|---|---|
| Current homeowners | Knowing the exact annual tax liability for their home value helps with budgeting and long‑term financial planning. |
| Prospective homebuyers | Median home values and tax amounts illustrate the overall cost of owning property in each state. |
| Retirees | Property tax burden, combined with median household income, informs decisions about where retirement‑time income may stretch further. |
| Real‑estate investors | Understanding the tax differential, even if modest, can affect cash‑flow projections for rental or investment properties. |
| Policy analysts | Identical effective rates but different median home values highlight how local assessment practices and home‑price levels influence total tax revenue. |
Summary
- Effective tax rate: Identical at 0.53 % for both states.
- Absolute tax liability: Slightly lower in Utah for both $250 k and $500 k home scenarios.
- Overall cost of homeownership: Higher median home values and higher median household incomes in Utah result in a larger median tax bill ($2,412 vs. $2,006), but the tax burden as a percentage of home value remains the same.
Based on the most recent ACS estimates, Utah edges out Idaho by a few dollars in absolute tax payments for the same property values, while both states share the same effective property‑tax rate.
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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.