$ PlainPropertyTax

Statewide · Property tax · ACS 2024

Alabama Property Taxes

The average Alabama homeowner pays $788 a year at an effective rate of 0.38%, 60% below the U.S. average. Compare 67 counties below.

$788
Avg median tax
0.38%
Effective rate
#50 of 51
U.S. rank (burden)
67
Counties

The verdict

The average Alabama homeowner pays $788 a year in property tax, an effective rate of 0.38%, the #50 highest burden of 51 U.S. states.

$788
Average median tax, 2024
0.38%
Statewide effective rate
#50 of 51
U.S. states by tax burden
67
counties measured

Effective rate is the median property tax bill divided by the median home value ($209,900). U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2024.

The average median property tax in Alabama is $788/year, which is 60% below the national average of $1,993. The average effective tax rate is 0.38% on a median home value of $209,900. Taxes range from $207 in Choctaw County to $1,423 in Shelby County.

What This Data Tells Us About Alabama

The statewide average property tax in Alabama is $788 per year, 60% below the national average of $1,993, based on Census ACS state-level estimates. The statewide effective rate of 0.38% on a median home value of $209,900 reflects how Alabama's assessment rules and local millage combine at the household level; the 67 counties below show how that varies locally.

Within Alabama, median annual tax ranges from $207 in Choctaw County (effective rate 0.17%) to $1,423 in Shelby County (effective rate 0.44%). Median home values in Alabama ($209,900) compared with $227,791 nationally help explain why the same effective rate produces different dollar bills in different states. Within-state variation often tracks local school levies, county bonds, and municipal overlays rather than a single statewide rate.

This page is for informational purposes only and is not tax, legal, or financial advice. Figures describe median homeowner households reported to the Census Bureau, individual bills can differ based on assessed value, exemptions, special districts, and local overlays. Always confirm current rates with your county assessor or a qualified professional before making decisions that rely on these numbers.

State Average vs National Average

Median Annual Tax
$788
-60% vs US avg
Median Home Value
$209,900
-8% vs US avg
Effective Tax Rate
0.38%
-59% vs US avg

How Alabama compares

Average effective property tax rate vs the national average, ACS 2024.

Alabama 0.38%
U.S. average 0.92%

Alabama has a higher effective property tax rate than 2% of U.S. states, ranking #50 of 51 for property tax burden.

Tax Affordability Score

10
Very Affordable

Based on the average effective tax rate of 0.38% compared to the national average of 0.92%. Alabama has below-average property tax rates, making it a more affordable state for homeowners.

Very Expensive Very Affordable

How this score is calculated: a 1-10 scale derived mechanically from the ratio of this state's average effective rate to the national average effective rate (0.92%) - a ratio at or below 0.5× scores 10, a ratio at or above 2.0× scores 1, with a linear scale between. It is a factual comparison of Census figures only, not a recommendation, quality rating, or endorsement of Alabama or any other state.

All Counties in Alabama (67)

County (by tax bill) Median taxEff. rateHome value
Shelby County $1,423 0.44% $326,100
Jefferson County $1,409 0.59% $240,000
Lee County $1,252 0.48% $262,200
Madison County $1,185 0.40% $299,200
Baldwin County $960 0.30% $316,900
Limestone County $900 0.32% $281,000
Mobile County $888 0.47% $190,700
Tuscaloosa County $795 0.32% $248,700
Lauderdale County $757 0.38% $200,300
Marshall County $733 0.36% $201,500
St. Clair County $724 0.32% $226,300
Morgan County $718 0.34% $212,000
Montgomery County $702 0.41% $171,900
Cherokee County $688 0.38% $179,700
Colbert County $678 0.40% $171,000
Coffee County $677 0.36% $188,600
Calhoun County $653 0.42% $156,600
Etowah County $645 0.39% $167,100
Russell County $629 0.38% $165,700
Autauga County $627 0.30% $207,200
Elmore County $610 0.27% $223,900
Houston County $562 0.31% $183,300
Henry County $553 0.34% $161,000
Talladega County $544 0.36% $149,200
Chilton County $537 0.33% $161,300
Escambia County $530 0.39% $136,500
Blount County $523 0.30% $175,200
Chambers County $523 0.39% $135,800
Cullman County $516 0.26% $199,100
Macon County $509 0.50% $102,000
Lawrence County $497 0.29% $172,300
DeKalb County $496 0.32% $152,700
Cleburne County $486 0.29% $165,600
Tallapoosa County $481 0.30% $158,500
Jackson County $480 0.30% $159,500
Barbour County $462 0.41% $112,900
Dale County $457 0.32% $143,500
Randolph County $452 0.25% $181,600
Geneva County $447 0.34% $130,700
Greene County $444 0.55% $81,200
Franklin County $433 0.32% $136,000
Pike County $424 0.27% $157,600
Marengo County $409 0.38% $107,400
Hale County $406 0.32% $127,600
Covington County $397 0.26% $152,100
Clarke County $396 0.33% $121,700
Dallas County $392 0.41% $94,600
Monroe County $381 0.32% $120,600
Winston County $380 0.32% $118,900
Crenshaw County $369 0.32% $114,000
Washington County $365 0.23% $159,700
Pickens County $364 0.29% $123,900
Butler County $362 0.36% $99,800
Sumter County $359 0.43% $82,600
Walker County $356 0.26% $135,900
Fayette County $355 0.28% $125,900
Lowndes County $337 0.39% $86,300
Bullock County $332 0.41% $81,700
Clay County $331 0.21% $156,700
Conecuh County $331 0.31% $105,300
Wilcox County $319 0.32% $98,800
Coosa County $315 0.27% $115,500
Marion County $301 0.28% $106,600
Bibb County $298 0.20% $145,700
Perry County $281 0.33% $86,400
Lamar County $274 0.24% $114,000
Choctaw County $207 0.17% $123,400

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average property tax in Alabama?
The average median property tax paid in Alabama is $788 per year, based on ACS 2024 data. The average effective tax rate is 0.38%.
How does Alabama compare to the national average?
Alabama property taxes are 60% below the national average. Homeowners here pay a median of $788 per year compared to $1,993 nationally.
Which county in Alabama has the lowest property taxes?
Choctaw County has the lowest median property tax in Alabama at $207 per year with an effective rate of 0.17%. The highest is Shelby County at $1,423.
How are property taxes calculated?
Property taxes are calculated by multiplying the assessed value of a property by the local tax rate (mill rate). Rates vary by county, city, and school district. The effective tax rate shown here is the median tax paid divided by the median home value, which provides a standardized comparison across counties.
What is the median home value in Alabama?
The median home value across Alabama is $209,900, compared to $227,791 nationally. Home values directly impact property tax bills since taxes are assessed as a percentage of property value.
Can I appeal my property taxes in Alabama?
Yes. Every Alabama homeowner has the right to appeal their property tax assessment. The process typically starts at your county assessor's office within 30-90 days of receiving your assessment notice. You can challenge the assessed value by providing comparable sales data, evidence of property condition, or errors in the assessment. See our guide on how to appeal property taxes for detailed steps.

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PlainPropertyTax is rendered directly from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on the Census ACS state-level record for Alabama. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of 2026-06-09.