Counties With the Highest and Lowest Property Taxes

Property taxes vary dramatically nationwide, with some U.S. counties charging a median tax bill of less than $200 a year — and some where residents face annual bills in excess of $10,000. Well, it's a big country, with lots of room for finance-related surprises to contemplate, but this might make you rethink where you live now, or where you'll be after you retire and have a fixed income. Here's a closer look at some of the counties across the country with the lowest median property taxes, as well as those with the highest, using data from the Tax Foundation and the Census.

Property Tax: $200 or less
Located in the southwestern corner of the state, the small county of Choctaw is just 909 square miles and had less than 13,000 residents.

Property Tax: $200 or less
Home to just 8,303 people and slightly more than 2,200 owner-occupied homes, the remote Kusilvak Census Area's median home value is $88,600. The median annual income for the region is $36,468 — but keep in mind, Alaska has no income tax and no state sales tax, and homeowners 65 and older are exempt from municipal taxes on the first $150,000 of assessed value of their property.

Related: Best Perks for Seniors in All 50 States

Property Tax: $200 or less
Looking for an unexpectedly awesome place to retire? In addition to statewide perks such as no income tax or state sales tax, Fairbanks has no local sales tax. About 6,918 people live in the Southeast Fairbanks Census Area, a region where there's just 3,905 housing units. The median value of owner-occupied homes is $191,700.

Property Tax: $200 or less
It may be amid some of the most remote Alaska hinterlands, but that works to the advantage of Aleutians East Borough, which maintains a website with many visitor attractions, including wildlife viewing, hiking, exploring the local harbors, and sport fishing. The region, known for its beauty, has about 3,515 residents and the median value of homes is $124,700. That might sound pretty nice, coupled with Alaska's standing as one of the best places to retire.

Property Tax: $200 or less
With just 655 residents and a total of about 538 homes, it's not surprising property taxes are low. The median value of an owner-occupied home in Harding County is $67,800. The primary industries include agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting, and construction. Retirees beware, though: Social Security, pensions, and retirement distributions are all subject to state income taxes of 1.7%, and the average 7.78% sales tax is steep.

Property Tax: $200 or less
A parish named for the Avoyel Native American tribe, 40,462 people live in this 832-square-mile region. The median value for an owner-occupied home is $90,600, and the median household income is $36,763.

Property Tax: $200 or less
About 25,605 people live in Allen Parish, where the median home value is $84,800. The median household income, meanwhile, is $42,176.

Property Tax: $200 or less
Just 30 miles north of Baton Rouge, East Feliciana Parish is a picturesque region in the heart of Louisiana's plantation country. The population hovers around 19,305, and the median home value is $124,100.

Property Tax: $200 or less
Named after a pioneer rancher, Kenedy County is a 1,389-square-mile region south of Corpus Christi. The area has been the location of human habitation for 11,000 years. Today, just 442 people live in the county. The median home value is a mere $21,300 and the median household income is $24,800.

Property Tax: $215
Originally known as Jones County, then Sanford County, in 1877 the county was renamed once again in honor of U.S. Sen. L.Q.C. Lamar. About 13,844 people live here, where the median home value is $71,500 and the median household income is $36,016.

Property Tax: $216
Named after founding father Benjamin Franklin, this parish is home to about 20,156 people. The median home value is $83,200 and there's a total of about 9,256 homes in the parish. The median income is $34,722.

Property Tax: $223
One of Louisiana's original 19 parishes, Concordia was once home to expansive plantations. Today, the region's primary industries are agriculture, cattle, fish farms, and chemical and petroleum plants. About 19,572 people live in the parish, where the median home value is $78,500.

Property Tax: $223
Settlement of Catahoula Parish, near the center of Louisiana, dates back to the 18th century. The 1,339-square-mile parish, whose economy is based primarily on forestry, cattle, and agriculture, is now inhabited by fewer than 10,000 residents. The median value of homes in the region is $78,700.

Property Tax: $226
A 558-square-mile parish that dates back to 1868, Richland has about 20,192 residents. The median value of homes in the parish is about $86,900 and the median household income is $34,745.

Property Tax: $231
About 18,223 people live in McDowell County, a remote destination in the heart of what was once a thriving coal production region. With changes in energy industries, the population has taken a nosedive from 100,000 in 1950 to about 18,223. The median value of homes in the county, which is struggling to find its footing in a post-coal era, is just $34,800.

Related: 25 Towns Devastated by Losing a Single Company

Property Tax: $233
Established in 1819, Greene County was named after Gen. Nathaniel Greene, of Georgia, who became famous during the American Revolution. In the west-central portion Alabama, Greene County's 8,233 residents own homes with a median home value of $67,700. The median household income is $20,954.

Property Tax: $241
Named in honor of Louisiana's first American governor, William C.C. Claiborne, this parish established in 1828 was home to the state's first cotton factory. Today, Claiborne Parish has about 15,944 residents. The median home value is $74,100.

Property Tax: $244
A county that encompasses 1,842 square mile area, Cimarron has the unique claim to fame of being the only county that touches five states – Kansas, Colorado, New Mexico, Texas and its own state of Oklahoma. The region has just 2,153 residents, and the median home value is $57,400.

Property Tax: $248
Named after none other than Gen. George Washington, this county in southwest Alabama was the territory's first seat of government, with its first bank and first chartered school. Today there's about 16,378 residents, and the median home value is $83,900. The median household income is $42,185.

Property Tax: $251
Established in 1866 and named after U.S. Senator Henry Clay, this county in east-central Alabama is home to about 13,275 people. The median home value is $89,300 and the median household income is $37,287.

Property Tax: $253
Amid the prairies of southeastern Alabama, Bullock County was established in 1866. The median value of homes in the 625-square-mile county is $66,800. About 10,138 people live in Bullock County.

Property Tax: $257
Sumter County — once home to Choctaw Indians — dates back to 1832. Today the 907-square-mile county, named after a South Carolina general who rose to fame during the American War of Independence, has about 12,691 residents. The median home price is $69,500.

Property Tax: $259
A 743-square-mile county in the northwestern part of Alabama, Marion has a population of 29,763. The median home price is $87,200 and the median household income is $35,719.

Property Tax: $260
Home to 63,711 residents, Walker County is in northwestern Alabama, one of the state's top coal-producing regions. The median home value is $87,300 and the median annual income is about $38,872.

Property Tax: $260
A 630-square-mile county in northwest central Alabama, Fayette is home to about 16,433 people. The median value of homes here is $83,200 and the median household income is about $36,541.

Property Tax: $10,000 plus
The well-heeled residents of Bergen County earn a median income of $100,361. So it's not likely the residents in this tony community have any trouble paying the steep $10,000-plus annual tax bill. The median home value here is $476,200.

Property Tax: $10,000 plus
A 126-square-mile county where the median age is 37, Essex County is the home of legendary institutions such as Rutgers University-Newark and Seton Hall. The median home value is $393,000, while the median household income is $63,368.

Property Tax: $10,000 plus
There are more than 1.3 million residents in Nassau County, on central Long Island. Perhaps among the most famous residents was former U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt, whose home in the county is now a historic site. The median value of homes here is $460,700, while the median income is $105,744.

Property Tax: $10,000 plus
Since Rockland County is less than an hour from New York City, it should go without saying it's prime real estate, rich in shopping, historic sites, parks and more. About 325,695 live in the county, which also seems just plain rich: The median home value is $425,100.

Property Tax: $10,000 plus
Home to 967,612 people, Westchester borders New York City and is known for communities with charming main streets, historic homes, and world-class culinary offerings. The median home value in this desirable region is $513,300, while the median household income is $89,968.

Property Tax: $9,496
Made up of 16 municipalities, Passaic County is just over an hour from New York City and is home to about 503,310 residents. Slightly more affordable than its Bergen County neighbor, Passaic has a median home value of $333,200, and a median income of $63,339.

Property Tax: $9,486
An ethnically diverse county dating back to 1857, Union County has about 558,067 residents. The median household income is $81,186,, and the median home value is $375,400.

Property Tax: $9,370
A rapidly growing region, Morris County is about 30 miles northwest of New York City. Created in about 1738 and named for Col. Lewis Morris, who was a governor of the state, the county claims about 494,228 residents. The median home value is $438,100 and the median income is $107,034.

Property Tax: $9,205
Just 45 minutes from Times Square, Putnam County has a population of about 98,892. The median value of homes in this conveniently located county is $357,700, and median household income is $99,608.

Property Tax: $9,162
Formally established about 275 years ago, rural Hunterdon County is considered one of the most prestigious regions in New Jersey. Just one hour and 15 minutes from Manhattan and Philadelphia, the county has about 124,714 residents. The median home value is $393,800, while the median household income is $110,969.

Property Tax: $9,025
This central New Jersey county is made up of 21 municipalities spread over about 305 square miles. One of the oldest counties in the country (established in 1688), Somerset is home to about 331,164 people. The median home value is $412,800 and the median household income is $106,046.

Property Tax: $8,902
A sprawling county encompassing about 1,000 square miles on Long Island, more than 10.4 million people live in Suffolk County. The median value of homes here is $379,400, and the median household income is $92,838.

Property Tax: $8,788
Home to a relatively small population of just 14,772 people, Falls Church is just outside of Washington D.C. (Its city hall is a mere 9 miles from the White House.) The median home value in this desirable location is a staggering $742,000, while the median household income is $114,795.

Property Tax: $8,237
A county that's home to famed Manhattan, about 1.6 million people live here. The median home value is a steep $915,300, which is not surprising for Manhattan. But the median household income is just $79,781.

Related: 30 Signs You're A New Yorker

Property Tax: $8,182
One of the smallest counties in New Jersey, Hudson is also one of the most densely populated places in the entire country. About 676,061 people live in the county, which includes large cities such as Jersey City and Hoboken. The median home value is $349,500, while the median income is $62,681.

Property Tax: $8,175
In east-central New Jersey, Monmouth is one of New Jersey's original counties — it dates back to 1683. Today the 472-square-mile county is home to 621,354 people. The median home value is $396,200 and the median household income is $91,807.

Property Tax: $7,759
A 311-square-mile county established in 1683, Middlesex County has 809,924 residents. The median home value is $329,000, while the median household income is $83,133.

Property Tax: $7,363
Made up of 12 municipalities in west-central New Jersey, including Princeton and Trenton, Mercer County has a population of 369,811. The median home value is $281,900 and the median income for the region is $77,027.

Property Tax: $7,229
About 943,823 people live in Fairfield County, part of Connecticut's wealthy Gold Coast. The region includes some of the most affluent communities in the entire United States. The median home value here, $417,800, seems relatively paltry given its shining location, and the median income is $89,773. It's also not a great place to retire if you take into account that Social Security benefits are taxable for residents with income of more than $50,000 (or married couples making more than $60,000) and retirement plans, private pensions, and out-of-state government and federal civil service pensions are taxed at up to 6.99%.

Property Tax: $7,131
Just over 700,000 people live in Lake County in northeastern Illinois. The county is a mix of rural communities, urban centers, and tourist communities, so the median home value is $251,400, while the median household income is about $82,613.

Property Tax: $7,086
In New Jersey's northernmost reaches that were once a hunting region for the Delaware Indians, Sussex County was established in 1753. Today, the county has about 140,799 residents. Its median home value is $264,100, and the median household income is $89,238.

Property Tax: $7,063
On the West Coast, Marin County is one of the priciest places to live. The median value of homes in this upper, upscale community is a steep $908,800, which makes the $7,063 property taxes seem almost like a bargain. For those not familiar with legendary Marin County, it is one of many counties in the San Francisco Bay area and attracts some of the most affluent people in the country (in case the median home value didn't give that away.)

Property Tax: $6,859
Back in New Jersey again, Warren County dates back to 1824 and is named for a soldier from the American Revolution. The 358-square-mile county, where the economy is based on agriculture and manufacturing, is home to 105,779 residents. The median home value is $256,700, and the median income is $75,500.

Property Tax: $6,641
About 381,951 residents live in Orange County, which is in southeastern New York in the picturesque Hudson River Valley. The county was created in 1683, one of the state's first. The median home price in the county today is $260,300, and the median household income is $75,146.

Property Tax: $6,570
Rounding out the top 25 most expensive counties in the United States for property taxes is yet another New Jersey location. A southwest New Jersey county that borders Pennsylvania, Camden County was founded in 1844. A 222-square-mile region, it has just over 507,000 residents. The median value of homes is $193,500 and the median household income is $65,037.