by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors
December 31, 2025
Even after the mortgage is paid off, homeowners face ongoing property taxes across the United States.
Even after the mortgage is paid off, homeowners face ongoing property taxes across the United States. While senior citizens, owner-occupants, and other groups may receive preferential tax treatment in some jurisdictions, homeowners still pay anywhere from 1% to 10% of their income on property taxes. These taxes pay for local infrastructure and amenities—putting a dollar value on the local lifestyle—but not every household may use these benefits equally. Thus, property taxes become an important consideration for those considering first-time homeownership or relocation alike.
With this in mind, SmartAsset ranked 343 of the largest U.S. cities based on the percentage of homeowner income that goes to paying property taxes each year.
Key Findings
Homeowners in this city spend 10% of their income on property taxes. Paterson, NJ has the highest rate of real estate taxes being paid relative to the median household income for homeowners at 9.8%. Homeowners pay a median $9,779 per year, with a median monthly housing cost of $2,869 and household income of $100,227.
New Jersey and Connecticut cities dominate the top 10. Including Paterson, New Jersey has three cities with some of the most expensive property taxes in the country. Newark homeowners pay a median of 6.1% of their income, or $6,833 annually. Jersey City follows with 6.0% of homeowner income going toward a $9,197 annual payment. Connecticut cities that made the top 10 include Bridgeport (7.4% of income paid to property taxes); Waterbury (7.1%); New Haven (5.6%); and Stamford (5.5%).
Floridians spent the highest portion of their income on property taxes in these cities. Davie homeowners spend a median 5.1% of their income on property taxes, most statewide. West Palm Beach residents have the second-highest portion of their income going to property taxes at 4.9%, followed by Miami Gardens at 4.7%. Boca Raton has the highest annual property tax bills at a median $6,979, but this only accounts for 4.1% of the local homeowner’s income.
Alabama and Arizona cities post some of the lowest property tax burdens. Montgomery, AL has the lowest property taxes both relatively and absolutely, with 1.1% of homeowner income going to cover a $917 annual median bill. Homeowners are also among the least burdened by property taxes in Huntsville (1.3%) and Mobile (1.3%) in Alabama, and in Tempe (1.3%); Glendale (1.4%); and Chandler (1.5%) in Arizona.
Top 20 Cities With the Highest Property Tax Burdens
Cities are ranked based on the percentage of local homeowner income paid toward annual property taxes.
Paterson, New Jersey
Property taxes as a percentage of income: 9.76%
Median annual property taxes paid: $9,779
Median income of households with a mortgage: $100,227
Median monthly housing costs: $2,869
Bridgeport, Connecticut
Property taxes as a percentage of income: 7.42%
Median annual property taxes paid: $7,187
Median income of households with a mortgage: $96,887
Median monthly housing costs: $2,273
Waterbury, Connecticut
Property taxes as a percentage of income: 7.07%
Median annual property taxes paid: $5,302
Median income of households with a mortgage: $74,973
Median monthly housing costs: $1,875
Newark, New Jersey
Property taxes as a percentage of income: 6.05%
Median annual property taxes paid: $6,833
Median income of households with a mortgage: $112,852
Median monthly housing costs: $2,447
Jersey City, New Jersey
Property taxes as a percentage of income: 6.02%
Median annual property taxes paid: $9,197
Median income of households with a mortgage: $152,690
Median monthly housing costs: $3,376
Richmond, California
Property taxes as a percentage of income: 6.00%
Median annual property taxes paid: $7,752
Median income of households with a mortgage: $129,155
Median monthly housing costs: $2,893
Aurora, Illinois
Property taxes as a percentage of income: 5.83%
Median annual property taxes paid: $6,399
Median income of households with a mortgage: $109,738
Median monthly housing costs: $1,996
Allentown, Pennsylvania
Property taxes as a percentage of income: 5.62%
Median annual property taxes paid: $3,776
Median income of households with a mortgage: $67,132
Median monthly housing costs: $1,564
New Haven, Connecticut
Property taxes as a percentage of income: 5.57%
Median annual property taxes paid: $6,745
Median income of households with a mortgage: $121,153
Median monthly housing costs: $2,141
Stamford, Connecticut
Property taxes as a percentage of income: 5.51%
Median annual property taxes paid: $9,951
Median income of households with a mortgage: $180,500
Median monthly housing costs: $3,488
Hartford, Connecticut
Property taxes as a percentage of income: 5.50%
Median annual property taxes paid: $4,451
Median income of households with a mortgage: $80,959
Median monthly housing costs: $1,984
Elgin, Illinois
Property taxes as a percentage of income: 5.46%
Median annual property taxes paid: $6,595
Median income of households with a mortgage: $120,773
Median monthly housing costs: $2,020
Oakland, California
Property taxes as a percentage of income: 5.36%
Median annual property taxes paid: $9,632
Median income of households with a mortgage: $179,650
Median monthly housing costs: $3,714
Edinburg, Texas
Property taxes as a percentage of income: 5.32%
Median annual property taxes paid: $4,366
Median income of households with a mortgage: $82,044
Median monthly housing costs: $1,718
Georgetown, Texas
Property taxes as a percentage of income: 5.21%
Median annual property taxes paid: $6,493
Median income of households with a mortgage: $124,602
Median monthly housing costs: $2,438
Conroe, Texas
Property taxes as a percentage of income: 5.14%
Median annual property taxes paid: $5,866
Median income of households with a mortgage: $114,220
Median monthly housing costs: $2,453
Davie town, Florida
Property taxes as a percentage of income: 5.11%
Median annual property taxes paid: $6,482
Median income of households with a mortgage: $126,812
Median monthly housing costs: $2,966
Grand Prairie, Texas
Property taxes as a percentage of income: 5.08%
Median annual property taxes paid: $5,894
Median income of households with a mortgage: $116,083
Median monthly housing costs: $2,277
Ann Arbor, Michigan
Property taxes as a percentage of income: 5.05%
Median annual property taxes paid: $8,719
Median income of households with a mortgage: $172,680
Median monthly housing costs: $2,586
Hollywood, Florida
Property taxes as a percentage of income: 4.98%
Median annual property taxes paid: $5,410
Median income of households with a mortgage: $108,570
Median monthly housing costs: $2,652
Top 20 Cities With the Lowest Property Tax Burdens
Cities are ranked based on the percentage of local homeowner income paid toward annual property taxes.
Montgomery, Alabama
Property taxes as a percentage of income: 1.06%
Median annual property taxes paid: $917
Median income of households with a mortgage: $86,442
Median monthly housing costs: $1,406
Huntsville, Alabama
Property taxes as a percentage of income: 1.26%
Median annual property taxes paid: $1,631
Median income of households with a mortgage: $129,243
Median monthly housing costs: $1,748
Mobile, Alabama
Property taxes as a percentage of income: 1.33%
Median annual property taxes paid: $1,086
Median income of households with a mortgage: $81,435
Median monthly housing costs: $1,464
Tempe, Arizona
Property taxes as a percentage of income: 1.34%
Median annual property taxes paid: $1,893
Median income of households with a mortgage: $141,615
Median monthly housing costs: $1,947
Sunrise Manor, Nevada
Property taxes as a percentage of income: 1.39%
Median annual property taxes paid: $1,233
Median income of households with a mortgage: $88,497
Median monthly housing costs: $1,608
Glendale, Arizona
Property taxes as a percentage of income: 1.40%
Median annual property taxes paid: $1,543
Median income of households with a mortgage: $110,487
Median monthly housing costs: $1,801
Charleston, South Carolina
Property taxes as a percentage of income: 1.42%
Median annual property taxes paid: $2,241
Median income of households with a mortgage: $158,042
Median monthly housing costs: $2,322
Mesa, Arizona
Property taxes as a percentage of income: 1.42%
Median annual property taxes paid: $1,723
Median income of households with a mortgage: $120,989
Median monthly housing costs: $1,980
Lafayette, Louisiana
Property taxes as a percentage of income: 1.43%
Median annual property taxes paid: $1,528
Median income of households with a mortgage: $107,136
Median monthly housing costs: $1,740
Chandler, Arizona
Property taxes as a percentage of income: 1.46%
Median annual property taxes paid: $2,153
Median income of households with a mortgage: $147,446
Median monthly housing costs: $2,095
San Tan Valley, Arizona
Property taxes as a percentage of income: 1.46%
Median annual property taxes paid: $1,506
Median income of households with a mortgage: $102,935
Median monthly housing costs: $1,936
Columbia, South Carolina
Property taxes as a percentage of income: 1.47%
Median annual property taxes paid: $1,625
Median income of households with a mortgage: $110,450
Median monthly housing costs: $1,636
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Property taxes as a percentage of income: 1.51%
Median annual property taxes paid: $1,966
Median income of households with a mortgage: $130,102
Median monthly housing costs: $2,227
Evansville, Indiana
Property taxes as a percentage of income: 1.55%
Median annual property taxes paid: $1,244
Median income of households with a mortgage: $80,033
Median monthly housing costs: $1,215
Fayetteville, Arkansas
Property taxes as a percentage of income: 1.56%
Median annual property taxes paid: $1,943
Median income of households with a mortgage: $124,225
Median monthly housing costs: $1,739
Gilbert town, Arizona
Property taxes as a percentage of income: 1.57%
Median annual property taxes paid: $2,378
Median income of households with a mortgage: $151,695
Median monthly housing costs: $2,348
Phoenix, Arizona
Property taxes as a percentage of income: 1.58%
Median annual property taxes paid: $1,919
Median income of households with a mortgage: $121,674
Median monthly housing costs: $1,934
Las Cruces, New Mexico
Property taxes as a percentage of income: 1.61%
Median annual property taxes paid: $1,619
Median income of households with a mortgage: $100,412
Median monthly housing costs: $1,430
Peoria, Arizona
Property taxes as a percentage of income: 1.64%
Median annual property taxes paid: $2,090
Median income of households with a mortgage: $127,773
Median monthly housing costs: $1,985
Surprise, Arizona
Property taxes as a percentage of income: 1.66%
Median annual property taxes paid: $1,870
Median income of households with a mortgage: $112,665
Median monthly housing costs: $2,004
Data and Methodology
The median annual real estate taxes paid is compared to the median household income for homeowners according to the U.S. Census Bureau 1-Year American Community Survey for 2024. Data was available for 343 cities with populations over 100,000.
This story was produced by SmartAsset and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
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