Oregon vs Washington
Property‑Tax Comparison: Oregon vs. Washington
Summary – Both Pacific‑Northwest states have property‑tax rates that are close to the national average. According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey (5‑year estimates), Oregon’s effective property‑tax rate is marginally lower than Washington’s, resulting in slightly smaller annual tax bills for comparable home values.
Side‑by‑Side Metrics
| Metric | Oregon | Washington |
|---|---|---|
| Effective property‑tax rate | 0.83 % | 0.84 % |
| Median home value | $454,200 | $519,800 |
| Median annual property tax | $3,767 | $4,361 |
| Property tax on a $250,000 home | $2,074 | $2,098 |
| Property tax on a $500,000 home | $4,147 | $4,195 |
| Median household income | $80,426 | $94,952 |
All figures are from the U.S. Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey (5‑year estimates).
Which State Has the Lower Tax Burden?
- Winner (lower effective rate): Oregon
- Rate difference: 0.01 % (approximately a 1.14 % relative difference).
- Annual tax difference for a $250,000 home: $24 less in Oregon.
- Annual tax difference for a $500,000 home: $48 less in Oregon.
Why Oregon wins: The effective property‑tax rate of 0.83 % is 0.01 percentage point lower than Washington’s 0.84 %. Because the rate is applied to the assessed value of a property, the lower percentage translates into consistently lower tax bills across the price range examined.
Who Might Benefit Most from This Comparison?
| Audience | Relevance of the data |
|---|---|
| Current homeowners | Understanding the ongoing cost of property ownership in each state helps with budgeting and long‑term financial planning. |
| Prospective homebuyers | Comparing median home values and associated tax bills can influence decisions about where to purchase. |
| Retirees | Property‑tax intensity directly affects fixed‑income budgets; a lower rate may be advantageous when combined with other cost‑of‑living factors. |
| Real‑estate investors | Effective tax rates impact net return calculations; even a small differential can affect cash‑flow projections over many years. |
The comparison is purely tax‑rate based; other considerations (state income tax, sales tax, climate, or services) are outside the scope of this analysis.
Sources
- Property‑tax data: According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey (5‑year estimates).
- Further reading: See the detailed state pages for Oregon property tax and Washington property tax.
All numbers are presented as reported by the Census Bureau and have not been adjusted for inflation or local assessment practices.
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.