Which areas have the lowest property taxes? (sales, rent)

[CandyApple]

Do states levy property taxes or is it just up to individual cities/counties? If you buy a place outside of city limits do you have to pay taxes? How easy/how often do cities expand their city limits?

I hope to one day own a house, but hate the thought of having to pay rent to the government on top of mortgage payments. Are there any places that don't charge property taxes, have low taxes, or have been lowering them?

On a related note, which areas have the least utlized eminent domain laws, and which areas have eminent domain laws that are more favorable towards a person keeping their property?

[caterwaulin]

Good luck with that! All states charge property tax. The more desireable an area, the higher the tax. Property taxes are based on many factors, including local and national sales of similar properties, amenities of the property area, schools, and such. Do a search on taxes by state. Compare all the types of tax too, income, state, sales, property...some may be higher in one area, and lower in another. Only 2 things in life are guaranteed...death and taxes!

[FarNorthDallas]

Not Texas.

[radraja]

Property taxes are a part of life. You'll pay them anywhere you go, and they'll suck anywhere you go.

Instead, you could try looking at states without income tax (such as NV).

[Haaziq]

I second what radraja said about Nevada. The lowest property taxes though are in Arkansas, followed by Alabama.

[Haaziq]

I'd also like to add Lousiana. Their property taxes are pretty low.

[DannyBanany]

You may not have to pay high property taxes if you live far enough out of a city. Where I live, property taxes are outrageous so many people build in the neighboring county about 5 minutes away. Sometimes people who build even 20 miles out of the city but in the same county have to pay the same property taxes as those who live in town due to zoning. It's kinda screwy!

[marmac]

There is a huge difference in property taxes from state to state.



Similar house in similar sized city comparing Minnesota to Alabama-------

Minnesota---$ 1800

Alabama----$300


Yup, every place has em, but the difference is HUGE.

[oakparkdude]

Just for a second, you might pause and consider not only what you pay in property taxes, but also what you get in services. You don't always get what you pay for, but in many cases low property taxes result in poor quality schools and other government services. This may be fine for some people, maybe not for others.

[holloway1010]

I think the lowest are in Louisiana. If we aren't the best for property taxes, we're definitely in the top three.