New York Tax Burden
New York ranks #3 nationally for total tax burden with a combined rate of 13.75%.
Compare with Neighboring States
Is New York a High-Tax State?
Yes — New York ranks #3 nationally for total tax burden at 13.75%, placing it among the 10 highest-taxed states in America. The state income tax rate of 5.258% is among the higher rates nationally, significantly impacting residents' take-home pay.
Property taxes are a major factor here — at 2.26% effective rate, homeowners in New York pay significantly more than the national median of ~1.1%. On a $300,000 home, that's approximately $678,000/year in property taxes alone. With a median household income of $68,097, the average New York resident pays approximately $9,363 per year across all state and local taxes.
Tax Planning Tips for New York Residents
High income tax state: At 5.258%, New York's income tax takes a significant bite. Consider maximizing pre-tax retirement contributions (401k, IRA, HSA) to reduce your state tax bill. If you're nearing retirement, evaluate whether relocating to a no-income-tax state could save you significantly on withdrawals.
Property tax protest: With an effective rate of 2.26%, property tax appeals are worth pursuing in New York. Homeowners who formally protest their assessed value often achieve reductions of 5–15%. On a $300,000 home, that's a potential savings of $67,800/year. Check your county assessor's deadline — most states allow annual appeals.
High sales tax (8.52%): For major purchases — vehicles, appliances, furniture — calculate whether buying across state lines (if near a border) saves meaningful money. A $30,000 car purchase costs an extra $255,600 in sales tax in New York.
For retirees: At 5.258% income tax, all retirement withdrawals are potentially taxable. Check whether New York offers any exemptions for Social Security or pension income — many states do.
All 62 Counties in New York
| Rank | County | Property Tax | Income Tax | Sales Tax | Total Burden | Nat'l Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bronx County | 0.99% | 5.149% | 8.52% | 18.56% | #2 |
| 2 | New York County | 0.91% | 5.431% | 8.52% | 18.26% | #3 |
| 3 | Rockland County | 1.89% | 5.465% | 8.52% | 17.70% | #5 |
| 4 | Orange County | 2.46% | 5.381% | 8.52% | 17.24% | #6 |
| 5 | Westchester County | 1.62% | 5.504% | 8.52% | 17.04% | #8 |
| 6 | Tompkins County | 2.36% | 5.264% | 8.52% | 16.97% | #9 |
| 7 | Putnam County | 2.37% | 5.530% | 8.52% | 16.61% | #13 |
| 8 | Suffolk County | 2.04% | 5.536% | 8.52% | 16.51% | #14 |
| 9 | Ulster County | 2.12% | 5.286% | 8.52% | 16.02% | #18 |
| 10 | Kings County | 0.68% | 5.279% | 8.52% | 15.96% | #20 |
| 11 | Dutchess County | 2.05% | 5.399% | 8.52% | 15.75% | #21 |
| 12 | Nassau County | 1.58% | 5.587% | 8.52% | 15.66% | #23 |
| 13 | Monroe County | 2.90% | 5.269% | 8.52% | 15.51% | #26 |
| 14 | Sullivan County | 2.25% | 5.257% | 8.52% | 15.37% | #30 |
| 15 | Queens County | 0.87% | 5.311% | 8.52% | 15.26% | #32 |
| 16 | Schenectady County | 2.56% | 5.280% | 8.52% | 15.07% | #34 |
| 17 | Albany County | 1.94% | 5.291% | 8.52% | 14.59% | #47 |
| 18 | Onondaga County | 2.69% | 5.269% | 8.52% | 14.58% | #49 |
| 19 | Erie County | 2.22% | 5.257% | 8.52% | 14.53% | #51 |
| 20 | Rensselaer County | 2.27% | 5.321% | 8.52% | 14.38% | #57 |
| 21 | Broome County | 2.66% | 5.217% | 8.52% | 14.37% | #58 |
| 22 | Richmond County | 0.92% | 5.409% | 8.52% | 14.30% | #59 |
| 23 | Cortland County | 2.72% | 5.246% | 8.52% | 14.26% | #62 |
| 24 | Orleans County | 3.08% | 5.230% | 8.52% | 14.21% | #65 |
| 25 | Niagara County | 2.43% | 5.250% | 8.52% | 14.07% | #72 |
| 26 | Columbia County | 1.71% | 5.305% | 8.52% | 14.05% | #75 |
| 27 | Montgomery County | 2.64% | 5.216% | 8.52% | 14.04% | #77 |
| 28 | Cayuga County | 2.35% | 5.239% | 8.52% | 13.95% | #80 |
| 29 | Greene County | 1.76% | 5.265% | 8.52% | 13.84% | #85 |
| 30 | Livingston County | 2.53% | 5.266% | 8.52% | 13.83% | #87 |
| 31 | Ontario County | 2.26% | 5.285% | 8.52% | 13.79% | #88 |
| 32 | Madison County | 2.39% | 5.260% | 8.52% | 13.71% | #91 |
| 33 | Wayne County | 2.63% | 5.268% | 8.52% | 13.71% | #91 |
| 34 | Washington County | 2.17% | 5.260% | 8.52% | 13.65% | #96 |
| 35 | Genesee County | 2.56% | 5.258% | 8.52% | 13.64% | #97 |
| 36 | Schoharie County | 2.32% | 5.269% | 8.52% | 13.58% | #99 |
| 37 | Oswego County | 2.69% | 5.246% | 8.52% | 13.51% | #104 |
| 38 | Oneida County | 2.26% | 5.252% | 8.52% | 13.43% | #106 |
| 39 | Wyoming County | 2.42% | 5.246% | 8.52% | 13.38% | #112 |
| 40 | Chemung County | 2.55% | 5.231% | 8.52% | 13.37% | #113 |
| 41 | Fulton County | 2.27% | 5.228% | 8.52% | 13.35% | #116 |
| 42 | Schuyler County | 2.15% | 5.231% | 8.52% | 13.34% | #117 |
| 43 | Tioga County | 2.49% | 5.266% | 8.52% | 13.18% | #129 |
| 44 | Cattaraugus County | 2.76% | 5.210% | 8.52% | 13.12% | #134 |
| 45 | Chautauqua County | 2.51% | 5.198% | 8.52% | 13.11% | #135 |
| 46 | Warren County | 1.55% | 5.279% | 8.52% | 13.10% | #136 |
| 47 | Clinton County | 2.03% | 5.254% | 8.52% | 13.06% | #137 |
| 48 | Delaware County | 1.83% | 5.217% | 8.52% | 13.06% | #137 |
| 49 | Saratoga County | 1.53% | 5.414% | 8.52% | 13.06% | #137 |
| 50 | Steuben County | 2.56% | 5.236% | 8.52% | 13.01% | #142 |
| 51 | Seneca County | 2.36% | 5.242% | 8.52% | 12.92% | #147 |
| 52 | Yates County | 1.95% | 5.242% | 8.52% | 12.92% | #147 |
| 53 | Essex County | 1.73% | 5.258% | 8.52% | 12.89% | #150 |
| 54 | Chenango County | 2.45% | 5.233% | 8.52% | 12.85% | #156 |
| 55 | Allegany County | 3.02% | 5.219% | 8.52% | 12.82% | #160 |
| 56 | St. Lawrence County | 2.31% | 5.217% | 8.52% | 12.56% | #182 |
| 57 | Herkimer County | 2.31% | 5.258% | 8.52% | 12.51% | #183 |
| 58 | Otsego County | 1.76% | 5.249% | 8.52% | 12.51% | #183 |
| 59 | Jefferson County | 1.64% | 5.237% | 8.52% | 12.47% | #191 |
| 60 | Lewis County | 1.78% | 5.244% | 8.52% | 12.10% | #241 |
| 61 | Franklin County | 1.80% | 5.226% | 8.52% | 11.97% | #262 |
| 62 | Hamilton County | 1.07% | 5.253% | 8.52% | 11.35% | #375 |
New York Tax Burden Summary
New York ranks #3 for total tax burden in the United States with a combined effective rate of 13.75%. Residents earning $100,000 pay approximately $13,750 in total state and local taxes — including $678,000 in property tax on a $300,000 home, $525,800 in state income tax, and an estimated $340,800 in sales tax on $40,000 of taxable spending.
With a median household income of $68,097 and a population of 19,994,379, New York has 62 counties with tax burdens ranging from 11.35% to 18.56%. As one of the higher-taxed states, New York residents should carefully evaluate county-level differences — choosing the right county can save thousands per year.