Connecticut tops 2026 property tax rates as bills arrive

Homeowners across the United States are receiving property tax bills this fall with rates that vary significantly by state. According to 2026 data from Ownwell, Connecticut residents face the highest median effective property tax rate at 3.05%, while Hawaii homeowners pay the lowest rate at 0.31%.

The effective tax rate accounts for exemptions, deductions, and assessment caps that reduce the final bill relative to a home's market value. Eighteen states have median effective rates above the national median of 1.27%, with New Jersey recording the highest median tax bill in the country despite a slightly lower rate than Connecticut.

Property taxes serve as the primary source of local government revenue, comprising 70% of local tax collections. Homeowners in states such as Texas, Florida, and Illinois should note that their current bills are based on home values assessed as of January 1, and appeal windows for disputed assessments often close within weeks of receiving the notice.

Read the full story at myupnow.com.