Americans are growing increasingly frustrated at property tax levels, a new poll has shown.
According to a new UChicago Harris/AP-NORC poll, around two thirds of Americans surveyed believe their property tax rate is too high. The poll was conducted in 2023, between December 14 to 18, with 1,024 participants across all 50 states and the District of Columbia.
The survey found 69 percent of adults in the U.S. believe their property tax rates were “unfair”, with 27 percent saying they were “about right”, and 3 percent claiming they are taxed too little.
Across the country, property taxes, also known as real-estate taxes, are imposed at a local level, with homeowners in each state paying different amounts. Property taxes go back into local communities, helping to pay for infrastructure improvements, public services and schooling. According to retail lender Rocket Mortgage, the highest rates are applied in New Jersey, Illinois and New Hampshire, whereas the lowest taxes are paid in Hawaii, Alabama and Colorado.
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While state-by-state breakdowns have not been made available, the poll shows there is widespread discontent over how much homeowners are charged.
Republicans are significantly more likely to say local property taxes are too high, with 77 percent of GOP supporters believing rates are much or a little too high, in comparison to 35 percent of Democrats.
On top of thinking that rates are too high, 36 percent of those polled believe the value of the services received from paying taxes is “poor.” A further 39 percent said they think the value of services funded by property taxes are “neither good nor poor,” while 23 percent believe they do get good value for money for the amount they are taxed.
Almost half of those polled believe that middle-income earners are bearing the brunt of the tax burden. Just 22 percent think that higher earners pay more property tax, while 48 percent say the middle classes pay the most.
Confidence in local governments to spend taxes responsibly is also big issue for Americans. Only 41 percent of those polled said they have confidence in their state government to “spend tax money in their best interest,” with 34 percent being only “somewhat confident.” Even less faith is put in the federal government, with only a third (33 percent) believing their tax money is well spent.
Of all the taxes involved in the survey—property, state sales, and federal income taxes—property taxes are viewed as the biggest burden on Americans’ wallets. According to the poll, 67 percent think federal income taxes are too high, along with 62 percent saying they thought state sales taxes cost too much.
Newsweek has contacted the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research for comment via email.
