Though born of necessity during the outbreak of the 2020 covid pandemic, remote working has proven to be a popular lifestyle shift for many professionals and surveys suggest the change may be here to stay. With the new freedom of being able to work from anywhere, many Americans have packed up their city apartments and gone in search of greener pastures, literally. Wondering where to start your own search? Take a peek inside the markets of the states with the ten lowest property taxes for inspiration!
For those looking for some more space to spread out, Wyoming, America’s least-densely populated state, may look particularly appealing. Home to Dude Ranches, ski resorts, and the famous Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming also boasts a real estate tax rate of 0.61%, with an annual property tax of $1,319 (£1,084).
In addition to sweeping mountain views and fields littered with wildflowers, house hunters in Wyoming can also expect low property prices, with the cost of a family home averaging at $321,497 (£264,199), a value which has increased by 14.7% over the last year. Moreover, with a median price per square foot of only $183 (£150), your money goes much further than it might in more densely populated states.
At $324,900 (£266,996), this three-bed, two-bath home in Evanston is almost exactly on par with the state average, and offers 2,236 square feet of space in which to spread out. Perfect for a young family, the ranch-style house includes a finished basement, substantial yard, and two-car garage, making it an ideal place to stretch your wings without stretching your budget.
While Nevada is known for attracting tourists thanks to its glittering lights of Las Vegas and the sparkling waters of Lake Tahoe, its real estate tax rate of only 0.60% will be attractive to house hunters as well. With an annual property tax of $1,310 (£1,076), Nevada is a promising place to shop on a budget.
While not as inexpensive as Wyoming, Nevada real estate is still affordable, with an average home value of $468,427 (£384,943). However, the average price of a house in Nevada has increased by 27.4% in the past year, a far steeper increase than the national average of 18.8%, which is still the biggest increase in 34 years.
However, with a budget in line with the state’s average, house hunters can still find a range of excellent properties. For example, this four-bed, three-bath, 2,171 square foot home in North Las Vegas is currently on the market for $449,900 (£369,225), slightly below the state average, following a price reduction. The house’s interior is beautifully renovated with hardwood floors and stainless-steel appliances, and the property includes a large, covered porch and spacious backyard.
With countless hiking, fishing, hunting, skiing, camping, and even horseback riding opportunities, West Virginia is dream come true for any outdoorsy types looking for adventure. Plus, with a real estate tax of 0.58% and an annual property tax of $1,269 (£1,042), you can save money on your mortgage and put it towards your next white-water rafting excursion.
When it comes to looking at listing prices the deal gets even sweeter, as the average home value in West Virginia is only $137,379 (£112,898), a 13% increase from 2021. Keen to live in the state’s bustling riverside capitol of Charleston? The average home value is still only $151,330 (£124,362). Moreover, the state’s average cost per square foot is only $99 (£81), helping you maximize space without maxing out your budget.
There are also plenty of charming properties that come in well under the average budget. This quaint three-bed, two-bath in Bluefield currently on the market for $124,500 (£102,314) might be a bit dated, but has actually been placed on the National Register of Historic Places. The 1922 single-family home offers 1,752 square feet of living space, not including the enclosed front porch and large unfinished basement.
Despite being home to many of America’s corporate headquarters, including three-fifths of the Fortune 500, Delaware is the second smallest state in the US. Situated on a narrow peninsula along the east coast, it offers pleasant beaches bordering the Delaware River, Delaware Bay, and Atlantic Ocean. It also boasts a real estate tax rate of only 0.57%, and an annual property tax of $1,240 (£1,019).
The average cost of a home in Delaware is $356,744 (£293,172), which comes in just below the national average of approximately $374,900 (£308,092). The average home value has increased by 15.7% in the past year, also just below the national average. Plus, with so much of the state bordering along either the ocean or the river, those looking to settle by the water have a much higher chance of achieving their dream without breaking their bank.
Indeed, with waterfront property at far from a premium, this stunning riverside home in Bethel is currently on the market for only $359,999 (£295,847), just $3,000 above the state average. The property boasts four bedrooms and two bathrooms across three stories, as well as a long sloping lawn down to a private dock. The upper stories of the house offer views of the river, as does the second story covered porch.
With its mild winters and beautiful beaches, South Carolina has long been popular with snowbirds seeking a seasonal escape from the cold. However, with a real estate tax rate of 0.57% and an annual property tax of $1,238 (£1,017), South Carolina makes an appealing destination for house hunters looking for a permanent residence as well.
South Carolina also offers low housing prices, with an average listing price of $291,591 (£239,623). However, the state also appears to have been a popular destination during the mass exodus from cities during the pandemic, with home values increasing by 26.7% in the past year. House hunters on a budget should also avoid shopping in Charleston, where the charm of cobblestone streets and pastel antebellum houses drives the average house price up to $520,311 (£427,591), almost double the state average.
This cosy three-bed, two-bath bungalow in Greenville is currently on the market for $298,000 (£244,896), just above the state average. The house is beautifully renovated, with hardwood floors, stainless steel appliances, and a gas fireplace. Though compact, the property would make a perfect winter getaway, or a starter home for a young family.
Though not technically a state, the District of Columbia is home to the nation’s capital, as well as some of the best museums, performing arts venues, and cultural heritage sites in the United States. At 0.56%, DC's real estate tax rate is the 5th lowest in the country, with an annual property tax of $1,221 (£1,003). However, given the fact that citizens of DC are not permitted to vote, and taxation without representation was one of the leading instigations of the American Revolution, its good those rates are low!
As the nation’s capital, DC is and always has been an expensive place to live. The average cost of a home in DC is estimated at $714,449 (£587,134), quite pricey compared to the national average. That said, DC has one of the most economically disparate housing markets in the United States, with prices falling between $12,000 (£9,861) and $16.5 million (£13.56 million), and a median listing price of $625,000 (£513,625).
Bang on that median listing price, this $625,000 four-bed, four-bath home in a quiet DC suburb offers 2,080 square feet of space. This beautiful property was built in 1900, but has been expertly renovated to include state-of-the-art appliances, marble countertops, and a modern, open floor plan. The property includes a veranda, paved patio, and garden suitable for outdoor entertaining.
Famed for its jazz, Mardi Gras festival, and spectacular Cajun and Creole-inspired cuisine, Louisiana is an eclectic cultural melting pot of French, African-American, and French-Canadian heritage. Louisiana is another state with tremendous economic disparity, its bustling cities like New Orleans thriving on riches reaped from the tourism industry, while more rural areas struggle with wide-spread poverty. This being said, regardless of location, Louisiana’s property tax rate is only 0.55%, with an annual property tax of $1,187 (£975).
The typical Louisiana home is valued at $213,658 (£213,658), a value which has appreciated by 13.5% in the past year, but remains on the lower end of the national scale. However, like DC, Louisiana’s housing market sees iconic colourful homes in New Orleans selling for millions of dollars, while smaller properties in more remote areas are listed for under $100,000 (£82,178).
However, for those looking for a happy medium, Louisiana offers a host of lovely properties listed right around the state average, or just slightly above it. For example, this spacious three-bed, two-bath ranch in Youngsville offers 2,275 square feet of space for only $215,000 (£176,682). The house is set on a full acre, and includes a separate guest cottage with a full kitchen and bath, ideal for visiting friends and family.
From soaring snowy mountains to arid deserts, Colorado is celebrated for its diverse landscape, which includes the Rocky Mountain National Park. Plus, with the third lowest real estate tax rate in the country, 0.51%, and an annual property tax of only $1,113 (£914), you’ll have as much latitude with your house hunting as with your trail-blazing.
With its wide range of outdoor activities and its gorgeous vistas, it’s no surprise that Colorado real estate is on the expensive side, or that the state became a popular pandemic escape. On the current market, the average home is valued at $591,189 (£485,827), a 21% increase from the previous year, while the median price for a single-family home hit $600,000 (£492,295) in April 2022.
However, Colorado properties tend to offer great value for money. This five-bed, four-bath home in Windsor is currently on the market for $570,000 (£468,414), and boasts 3,107 square feet of living space. The house offers every amenity, from an open floor plan, to a gorgeous back deck, to electricity-saving solar panels.
With the nation’s second lowest property tax at 0.41%, ‘sweet home Alabama’ may prove to be more than just a song lyric for house hunters looking to economize. Famed for its football and its complex civil rights history, the ‘heart of Dixie’ only charges $895 (£731) in annual property tax.
In fact, Alabama has some of the lowest living costs in general in the country, and house prices to match. The average listing price for a house in Alabama is only $175,586 (£143,516). Moreover, its actually even less expensive to live in the state’s capital of Birmingham, with the city’s average house price calculated at $108,416 (£88,614), well below the national average.
With these listing prices, house hunters can certainly make themselves comfortable on a reduced budget. This charming three-bed, two-bath bungalow in Mobile hit the market earlier this year for $169,900 (£138,869), just below the state average. The property offers 1,718 square feet of space, as well as what the listing describes as an outdoor ‘private oasis’ consisting of a large covered patio equipped with a TV and a beautiful swimming pool.
That’s right, shocking though it may seem, this tropical paradise also offers homeowners the lowest property tax in the US, with a real estate tax rate of only 0.28%, and an annual property tax of $606 (£498). For remote workers looking to give up their shoe-box apartments in favour of island breezes, Hawaii’s low property tax may just seal the deal.
However, actual house prices in Hawaii are still on the costly side, with the typical home sitting at $901,942 (£741,215), and the median cost of a home coming in at $895,000 (£735,511). Moreover, this past year saw the median price of a single-family home in Oahu, the island housing the state capitol of Honolulu, soar to a record-breaking high of $1.15 million (£945,000), a 21% increase from the previous year.
Take for example this three-bed, one-and-a-half-bath home on Oahu, currently on the market for $899,000 (£738,798), just above the median for the state, though well below the median for the island. However, this property isn’t exactly a steal. At only 984 square feet and dating to 1966, this house is an excellent example of just what you’re paying for in Hawaii: location, location, location.
Love this? Follow us on Facebook for more insider real estate tips