Three in five KashKick members surveyed (60%) support eliminating property taxes in their state, but just 11% say they believe they’d come out ahead financially if a higher sales tax took their place.

The findings come as voters in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee, Wyoming and other states consider property tax measures this fall. 

KashKick surveyed 84,800 members, including 30,203 homeowners, from Sept. 11 to Oct. 2, 2026. Here’s what they told us about their property tax bills, the trade-offs they’d worry about and how they’re planning ahead.

60% Support Eliminating Property Taxes, but Few Think a Sales-Tax Swap Would Help

Three in five respondents (60%) support eliminating property taxes in their state, including 42% who strongly support it. Just 11% oppose elimination, and 29% are neutral. Support for reducing property taxes is even higher, at 66%.

But support looks different when respondents consider what could replace that revenue. If property taxes were replaced by a higher sales tax, just 11% say they believe they’d come out ahead financially. A third (33%) expect to come out behind, 32% say they’d fare about the same and 24% aren’t sure.

Homeowner respondents are more likely than renters to support eliminating property taxes (69% vs. 57%). They’re also more likely to think a sales-tax swap would leave them better off (17% vs. 8%), though more homeowners still expect to come out behind than ahead (28% vs. 17%).

Support also varies somewhat by income. Among homeowner respondents, 72% of those with household incomes under $50,000 support eliminating property taxes, compared with 65% of those with household incomes of $100,000 or more. Higher-income homeowner respondents, however, are more likely to think they’d come out ahead under a sales-tax swap (21% vs. 14%).

"What stood out to us was the distance between liking the idea and liking the math. Most members are on board with getting rid of property taxes, but when we asked about a higher sales tax instead, 3x as many expected to come out behind vs. ahead."

— Katie Nelson, head of consumer research at KashKick

A Higher Sales Tax Tops the List of Trade-Off Worries

When asked which trade-off would worry them most if property taxes were reduced or eliminated, 1 in 4 respondents (25%) chose a higher sales tax. Cuts to school funding came next at 20%, followed by new fees for services like garbage, water or stormwater (18%).

Fewer respondents named reduced road and infrastructure maintenance (9%) or cuts to police, fire or emergency services (8%) as their top concern. Nearly 1 in 5 (18%) say none of the trade-offs would worry them.

School funding stands out more among parents. One-quarter of respondents with school-age children name cuts to school funding as their top concern, compared with 15% of those without school-age children at home. Even so, support for eliminating property taxes is similar between the two groups (61% vs. 59%).

59% Say Their Property Tax Bill Has Outpaced Their Income

Nearly 6 in 10 homeowner respondents (59%) say their property tax bill has increased faster than their income over the past 3 years, including 29% who say it has grown significantly faster. Another 21% say their bill and income have grown at about the same pace, while just 5% say their income has grown faster.

For context, the average property tax bill on a single-family home nationwide was $4,427 in 2025, up 3% from the year before, according to ATTOM’s annual property tax analysis.

Older homeowner respondents are more likely to say their property tax bill has outpaced their income. That’s true for 61% of those ages 35 to 54 and 60% of those 55 and older, compared with 51% of those ages 18 to 34. 

Property Taxes Rank Among the Biggest Housing Costs

About half of homeowner respondents (52%) say property tax is one of their three largest monthly housing costs, including 15% who rank it as their largest. Another 33% say they aren’t sure or don’t track the cost separately.

Most homeowner respondents have at least a general sense of what they pay: 44% say they know their annual property tax bill, while 34% have a rough estimate. 

But relatively few have challenged their assessment. Just 14% say they’ve filed an appeal, while 27% have considered one but haven’t filed. Among those who appealed, 46% say their assessment was reduced.

More Than One-Third Say Property Taxes Factored Into Home Improvement Decisions

Some homeowner respondents say property tax bills have also factored into bigger financial decisions.

More than one-third of homeowner respondents (36%) say a rising property tax bill was a factor in their decision to delay home improvements or upgrades in the past 2 years. Another 13% considered or decided to sell their home, 10% refinanced or explored refinancing and 9% delayed retirement plans.

Overall, half of homeowner respondents say a rising property tax bill was a factor in at least one of the financial decisions surveyed. Meanwhile, 44% selected none of the listed decisions, and 8% say their property tax bill hasn’t risen in the past 2 years. Respondents could select multiple answers.

About 1 in 5 Have Already Changed How They Budget

More than 1 in 5 respondents (22%) say they’ve already started budgeting or saving differently in anticipation of a possible change to property tax policy.

Others say property tax changes could factor into where they live. Nearly one-third of respondents (30%) say they’d consider relocating depending on the outcome of a property tax change, including 19% who would consider moving out of state and 11% who would only consider moving within their state. Another 37% say they wouldn’t consider relocating, while 33% aren’t sure.

"Homeowners in our community are watching that bill closely. A lot of them told us they're putting off projects around the house, and about 1 in 5 members are already changing how they budget or save, before anything has actually changed.”

— Katie Nelson, head of consumer research at KashKick

Younger respondents are more likely to be adjusting their finances in anticipation of a change. More than a quarter of respondents ages 18 to 34 (27%) say they’ve changed how they budget or save, compared with 16% of those 55 and older. They’re also more likely to say they’d consider relocating (36% vs. 21%). 

Renters are more likely than homeowner respondents to consider a move (34% vs. 23%).

What Respondents Say Property Taxes Fund and Where They Get Information

Property taxes are a major source of local government funding, accounting for about 71% of local tax collections nationwide in fiscal year 2024, according to U.S. Census Bureau data. They commonly help fund public schools, roads, police and fire departments, emergency services and other local services, though exactly where the money goes varies by state and locality.

Against that backdrop, respondents were asked what they believe their local property taxes fund and where they get information about potential policy changes.

Public Schools Are the Most Commonly Named Use of Property Taxes

Public schools were the most common answer when respondents were asked what their local property taxes fund, with 43% selecting them. Police and law enforcement followed at 39%, along with general government operations (34%), fire departments (33%), infrastructure and transportation (31%) and parks and libraries (30%).

Nearly a third (30%) say they aren’t sure what their local property taxes fund. Respondents could select multiple answers, and how property tax revenue is used varies by locality.

Respondents also report limited awareness of current property tax proposals. Just 11% say they’re aware of an active proposal in their state to reduce property taxes, while 10% are aware of a proposal to eliminate them. More than half say they aren’t aware of either.

Social Media and Local News Are the Top Information Sources

Social media and local news are the two most common places respondents say they get information about property tax proposals.

• Social media: 42%
• Local news: 39%
• Family and friends: 23%
• National news: 18%
• Statements from politicians or campaigns: 12%

About a quarter of respondents (26%) say they haven’t sought out information about property tax proposals.

Information sources vary by age. More than half of respondents 55 and older (51%) rely on local news, compared with 31% of those ages 18 to 34. Younger respondents are more likely to use social media (45% vs. 35%).

The Takeaway

KashKick members broadly support reducing or eliminating property taxes, but that support comes with questions about what would replace the revenue and whether they believe they would personally benefit. A higher sales tax is the most common trade-off concern, and far more respondents expect a sales-tax swap to leave them worse off than better off.

At the same time, many homeowner respondents say property tax bills rank among their largest housing costs, have increased faster than their income and have factored into financial decisions.

With property tax measures under consideration in several states, the findings show that respondents are weighing both the appeal of lower property taxes and the potential trade-offs that could come with them.

Methodology

KashKick surveyed 84,800 members from Sept. 11 to Oct. 2, 2026, about their views on property taxes, potential trade-offs, housing costs and financial planning. Of those respondents, 30,203 owned their primary residence and answered additional questions about their property tax bills and related financial decisions.

All respondents were existing KashKick members. Results reflect self-reported views and behavior within this panel and are not representative of the U.S. population. The survey was fielded before the Nov. 3, 2026, election, and sentiment may shift as ballot measures are decided.