Let's be honest: Nobody really loves to pay taxes. Sure, it's satisfying to know you're helping fund great things—such as roads and schools—but it always hurts knowing that a portion of your hard-earned paycheck simply evaporates before you see it. (Hey, you're only human.)
It only compounds the pain to know that so many people pay so much less in taxes than you do—and only because they live in tax-friendly places. We know this because we've pulled together tax data on the 200 largest cities in the U.S. to help determine which ones are the easiest on your wallet.
Cities in Texas—a state that charges no income tax and keeps most of its other taxes low—had a distinct advantage here, but there are plenty of other sizable cities that make a pretty impressive showing. So read on, and see if your hometown makes the list. And for more great city rankings, check out this collection of the 50 Hardest Working Cities in America.
OUR METHODOLOGY: We analyzed tax data from the Tax Foundation, the U.S. Census, and individual state and city government websites, incorporating state and local income tax, sales tax, and property tax—as well as other taxes, such as alcohol, tobacco, and fuel taxes.
50 | Arlington, TX
ShutterstockPopulation: 392,772
State Income Tax: 0.00%
Local Income Tax: 0.00%
State Sales Tax: 6.25%
Local Sales Tax: 1.75%
State Property Tax: 1.90%
Average Real Estate Taxes (County): $3,746
Cigarette Tax: $1.41
Alcohol Tax: $2.40
State Fuel Tax (cents per gallon): 20.00
Sales Tax Holiday?: Y
Tax Friendliness: 79.80
49 | Garland, TX
ShutterstockPopulation: 234,943
State Income Tax: 0.00%
Local Income Tax: 0.00%
State Sales Tax: 6.25%
Local Sales Tax: 2.00%
State Property Tax:1.90%
Average Real Estate Taxes (County): $3,615
Cigarette Tax: $1.41
Alcohol Tax: $2.40
State Fuel Tax (cents per gallon): 20.00
Sales Tax Holiday?: Y
Tax Friendliness: 79.81
48 | Irving, TX
ShutterstockPopulation: 238,289
State Income Tax: 0.00%
Local Income Tax: 0.00%
State Sales Tax: 6.25%
Local Sales Tax: 2.00%
State Property Tax: 1.90%
Average Real Estate Taxes (County): $3,615
Cigarette Tax: $1.41
Alcohol Tax: $2.40
State Fuel Tax (cents per gallon): 20.00
Sales Tax Holiday?: Y
Tax Friendliness: 79.81
47 | Denton, TX
ShutterstockPopulation: 133,808
State Income Tax: 0.00%
Local Income Tax: 0.00%
State Sales Tax: 6.25%
Local Sales Tax: 0.00%
State Property Tax: 1.90%
Average Real Estate Taxes (County): $4,513
Cigarette Tax: $1.41
Alcohol Tax: $2.40
State Fuel Tax (cents per gallon): 20.00
Sales Tax Holiday?: Y
Tax Friendliness: 80.01
46 | Frisco, TX
ShutterstockPopulation: 163,656
State Income Tax: 0.00%
Local Income Tax: 0.00%
State Sales Tax: 6.25%
Local Sales Tax: 0.00%
State Property Tax: 1.90%
Average Real Estate Taxes (County): 4,513
Cigarette Tax: $1.41
Alcohol Tax: $2.40
State Fuel Tax (cents per gallon): 20.00
Sales Tax Holiday?: Y
Tax Friendliness: 80.01
45" | Miramar, FL
ShutterstockPopulation: 138,449
State Income Tax: 0.00%
Local Income Tax: 0.00%
State Sales Tax: 6.00%
Local Sales Tax: 0.00%
State Property Tax: 1.06%
Average Real Estate Taxes (County): $3,009
Cigarette Tax: $1.34
Alcohol Tax: $6.50
State Fuel Tax (cents per gallon): 36.80
Sales Tax Holiday?: Y
Tax Friendliness: 80.08
44 | Hollywood, FL
ShutterstockPopulation: 151,998
State Income Tax: 0.00%
Local Income Tax: 0.00
State Sales Tax: 6.00%
Local Sales Tax: 0.00%
State Property Tax: 1.06%
Average Real Estate Taxes (County): $3,009
Cigarette Tax: $1.34
Alcohol Tax: $6.50
State Fuel Tax (cents per gallon): 36.80
Sales Tax Holiday?: Y
Tax Friendliness: 80.08
43 | Pembroke Pines, FL
ShutterstockPopulation: 168,587
State Income Tax: 0.00%
Local Income Tax: 0.00%
State Sales Tax: 6.00%
Local Sales Tax: 0.00%
State Property Tax: 1.06%
Average Real Estate Taxes (County): $3,009
Cigarette Tax: $1.34
Alcohol Tax: $6.50
State Fuel Tax (cents per gallon): 36.80
Sales Tax Holiday?: Y
Tax Friendliness: 80.08
42 | Tampa, FL
ShutterstockPopulation: 377,165
State Income Tax: 0.00%
Local Income Tax: 0.00%
State Sales Tax: 6.00%
Local Sales Tax: 1.00%
State Property Tax: 1.06%
Average Real Estate Taxes (County): $2,387
Cigarette Tax: $1.34
Alcohol Tax: $6.50
State Fuel Tax (cents per gallon): 36.80
Sales Tax Holiday?: Y
Tax Friendliness: 80.33
41 | Knoxville, TN
ShutterstockPopulation: 186,239
State Income Tax: 5.00
Local Income Tax: 0.00%
State Sales Tax: 7.00%
Local Sales Tax: 0.00%
State Property Tax: 0.75%
Average Real Estate Taxes (County): $1,344
Cigarette Tax: $0.6
Alcohol Tax: $4.46
State Fuel Tax (cents per gallon): 21.40
Sales Tax Holiday?: Y
Tax Friendliness: 80.48
40 | Clarksville, TN
ShutterstockPopulation: 150,287
State Income Tax: 5.00%
Local Income Tax: 0.00%
State Sales Tax: 7.00%
Local Sales Tax: 0.00%
State Property Tax: 0.75%
Average Real Estate Taxes (County): $1,338
Cigarette Tax: ] $0.62
Alcohol Tax: $4.46
State Fuel Tax (cents per gallon): 21.40
Sales Tax Holiday?: Y
Tax Friendliness: 80.49
39 | Indianapolis, IN
ShutterstockPopulation: 855,164
State Income Tax: 3.23%
Local Income Tax: 1.62%
State Sales Tax: 7.00%
Local Sales Tax: 0.00%
State Property Tax: 0.86%
Average Real Estate Taxes (County): $1,544
Cigarette Tax: $1.00
Alcohol Tax: $2.68
State Fuel Tax (cents per gallon): 33.59
Sales Tax Holiday?: N
Tax Friendliness: 80.53
38 | Colorado Springs, CO
ShutterstockPopulation: 465,101
State Income Tax: 4.63%
Local Income Tax: 0.00%
State Sales Tax: 2.90%
Local Sales Tax: 5.35%
State Property Tax: 0.61%
Average Real Estate Taxes (County): $1,378
Cigarette Tax: $0.84
Alcohol Tax: $2.28
State Fuel Tax (cents per gallon): 22.00
Sales Tax Holiday?: N
Tax Friendliness: 80.63
37 | San Antonio, TX
iStockPopulation: 1,492,510
State Income Tax: 0.00%
Local Income Tax: 0.00%
State Sales Tax: 6.25%
Local Sales Tax: 2.00%
State Property Tax: 1.90%
Average Real Estate Taxes (County): $3,202
Cigarette Tax: $1.41
Alcohol Tax: $2.40
State Fuel Tax (cents per gallon): 20.00
Sales Tax Holiday?: Y
Tax Friendliness: 80.64
36 | Savannah, GA
ShutterstockPopulation: 146,763
State Income Tax: 6.00%
Local Income Tax: 0.00%
State Sales Tax: 4.00%
Local Sales Tax: 0.00%
State Property Tax: 0.95%
Average Real Estate Taxes (County): $2,114
Cigarette Tax: $0.37
Alcohol Tax: $3.79
State Fuel Tax (cents per gallon): 31.09
Sales Tax Holiday?: N
Tax Friendliness: 80.66
35 | Peoria, AZ
ShutterstockPopulation 164,173
State Income Tax: 4.54%
Local Income Tax: 0.00%
State Sales Tax: 5.60%
Local Sales Tax: 0.00%
State Property Tax: 0.80%
Average Real Estate Taxes (County): $1,696
Cigarette Tax: 2.00
Alcohol Tax: $3.00
State Fuel Tax (cents per gallon): 19.00
Sales Tax Holiday?: N
Tax Friendliness: 80.67
34 | Tempe, AZ
ShutterstockPopulation: 182,498
State Income Tax: 4.54%
Local Income Tax: 0.00%
State Sales Tax: 5.60%
Local Sales Tax: 0.00%
State Property Tax: 0.80%
Average Real Estate Taxes (County): $1,696
Cigarette Tax: $2.00
Alcohol Tax: $3.00
State Fuel Tax (cents per gallon): 19.00
Sales Tax Holiday?: N
Tax Friendliness: 80.67
33 | Orlando, FL
ShutterstockPopulation: 277,173
State Income Tax: 0.00%
Local Income Tax: 0.00%
State Sales Tax: 6.00%
Local Sales Tax: 0.50%
State Property Tax: 1.06%
Average Real Estate Taxes (County): $2,426
Cigarette Tax: $1.34
Alcohol Tax: $6.50
State Fuel Tax (cents per gallon): 36.80
Sales Tax Holiday?: Y
Tax Friendliness: 80.75
32 | St Petersburg, FL
ESB Professional / ShutterstockPopulation: 260,999
State Income Tax: 0.00%
Local Income Tax: 0.00%
State Sales Tax: 6.00%
Local Sales Tax: 1.00%
State Property Tax: 1.06%
Average Real Estate Taxes (County):$2,086
Cigarette Tax: $1.34
Alcohol Tax: $6.5
State Fuel Tax (cents per gallon): 36.80
Sales Tax Holiday?: Y
Tax Friendliness: 80.93
31 | Jacksonville, FL
Population: 880,619
State Income Tax: 0.00%
Local Income Tax: 0.00%
State Sales Tax: 6.00%
Local Sales Tax: 1.00%
State Property Tax: 1.06%
Average Real Estate Taxes (County): $1,979
Cigarette Tax: $1.34
Alcohol Tax: $6.50
State Fuel Tax (cents per gallon): 36.80
Sales Tax Holiday?: Y
Tax Friendliness: 81.14
30 | Cape Coral, FL
ShutterstockPopulation 179,804
State Income Tax: 0.00%
Local Income Tax: 0.00%
State Sales Tax: 6.00%
Local Sales Tax: 0.00%
State Property Tax: 1.06%
Average Real Estate Taxes (County): $2,388
Cigarette Tax: $1.34
Alcohol Tax: $6.50
State Fuel Tax (cents per gallon): 36.80
Sales Tax Holiday?: Y
Tax Friendliness: 81.32
29 | Macon, GA
ShutterstockPopulation: 152,555
State Income Tax: 6.00%
Local Income Tax: 0.00%
State Sales Tax: 4.00%
Local Sales Tax: 0.00%
State Property Tax: 0.95%
Average Real Estate Taxes (County): $1,736
Cigarette Tax: $0.37
Alcohol Tax: $3.79
State Fuel Tax (cents per gallon): 31.09
Sales Tax Holiday?:
Tax Friendliness: 81.42
28 | Reno, NV
ShutterstockPopulation: 245,255
State Income Tax: 0.00%
Local Income Tax: 0.00%
State Sales Tax: 6.85%
Local Sales Tax: 0.88%
State Property Tax: 0.86%
Average Real Estate Taxes (County): $2,225
Cigarette Tax: $1.80
Alcohol Tax: $3.60
State Fuel Tax (cents per gallon): 33.52
Sales Tax Holiday?: N
Tax Friendliness: 81.56
27 | Fort Wayne, IN
ShutterstockPopulation: 264,488
State Income Tax: 3.23%
Local Income Tax: 1.00%
State Sales Tax: 7.00%
Local Sales Tax: 0.00%
State Property Tax: 0.86%
Average Real Estate Taxes (County): $1,271
Cigarette Tax: $1.00
Alcohol Tax: $2.68
State Fuel Tax (cents per gallon): 33.59
Sales Tax Holiday?: N
Tax Friendliness: 81.69
26 | Laredo, TX
ShutterstockPopulation: 257,156
State Income Tax: 0.00%
Local Income Tax: 0.00%
State Sales Tax: 6.25%
Local Sales Tax: 2.00%
State Property Tax: 1.90%
Average Real Estate Taxes (County): $2,673
Cigarette Tax: $1.41
Alcohol Tax: $2.40
State Fuel Tax (cents per gallon): 20.00
Sales Tax Holiday?: Y
Tax Friendliness: 81.69
25 | El Paso, TX
ShutterstockPopulation:683,080
State Income Tax: 0.00%
Local Income Tax: 0.00%
State Sales Tax: 6.25%
Local Sales Tax: 2.00%
State Property Tax: 1.90%
Average Real Estate Taxes (County): $2,671
Cigarette Tax: $1.41
Alcohol Tax: $2.40
State Fuel Tax (cents per gallon): 20.00
Sales Tax Holiday?: Y
Tax Friendliness: 81.70
24 | Pasadena, TX
ShutterstockPopulation: 153,351
State Income Tax: 0.00%
Local Income Tax: 0.00%
State Sales Tax: 6.25%
Local Sales Tax: 0.00%
State Property Tax: 1.90%
Average Real Estate Taxes (County): $3,661
Cigarette Tax: $1.41
Alcohol Tax: $2.40
State Fuel Tax (cents per gallon): 20.00
Tax Holiday?: Y
Tax Friendliness: 81.72
23 | Tallahassee, FL
ShutterstockPopulation: 190,894
State Income Tax: 0.00%
Local Income Tax: 0.00%
State Sales Tax: 6.00%
Local Sales Tax: 0.00%
State Property Tax: 1.06%
Average Real Estate Taxes (County): $2,159
Cigarette Tax: $1.34
Alcohol Tax: $6.50
State Fuel Tax (cents per gallon): 36.80
Sales Tax Holiday?: Y
Tax Friendliness: 81.78
22 | Mesquite, TX
ShutterstockPopulation: 143,73
State Income Tax: 0.00%
Local Income Tax: 0.00%
State Sales Tax: 6.25%
Local Sales Tax: 0.00%
State Property Tax: 1.90%
Average Real Estate Taxes (County): $3,615
Cigarette Tax: $1.41
Alcohol Tax: $2.40
State Fuel Tax (cents per gallon): 20.00
Sales Tax Holiday?: Y
Tax Friendliness: 81.81
21 | Grand Prairie, TX
ShutterstockPopulation: 190,682
State Income Tax: 0.00%
Local Income Tax: 0.00%
State Sales Tax: 6.25%
Local Sales Tax: 0.00%
State Property Tax: 1.90%
Average Real Estate Taxes (County): $3,615
Cigarette Tax: $1.41
Alcohol Tax: $2.40
State Fuel Tax (cents per gallon): 20.00
Sales Tax Holiday?: Y
Tax Friendliness: 81.81
20 | North Las Vegas, NV
ShutterstockPopulation: 238,702
State Income Tax: 0.00%
Local Income Tax: 0.00%
State Sales Tax: 6.85%
Local Sales Tax: 1.30%
State Property Tax: 0.86
Average Real Estate Taxes (County): $1,852
Cigarette Tax: $1.80
Alcohol Tax: $3.60
State Fuel Tax (cents per gallon): 33.52
Sales Tax Holiday?: N
Tax Friendliness: 81.89
19 | Henderson, NV
ShutterstockPopulation: 292,969
State Income Tax: 0.00%
Local Income Tax: 0.00%
State Sales Tax: 6.85%
Local Sales Tax: 1.30%
State Property Tax: 0.86%
Average Real Estate Taxes (County): $1,852
Cigarette Tax: $1.80
Alcohol Tax: $3.60
State Fuel Tax (cents per gallon): 33.52
Sales Tax Holiday?: N
Tax Friendliness: 81.89
18 | Las Vegas, NV
ShutterstockPopulation: 632,912
State Income Tax: 0.00%
Local Income Tax: 0.00%
State Sales Tax: 6.85%
Local Sales Tax: 1.30%
State Property Tax: 0.86%
Average Real Estate Taxes (County): $1,852
Cigarette Tax: $1.80
Alcohol Tax: $3.60
State Fuel Tax (cents per gallon): 33.52
Sales Tax Holiday?: N
Tax Friendliness: 81.89
17 | Port St Lucie, FL
ShutterstockPopulation: 185,13
State Income Tax: 0.00%
Local Income Tax: 0.00%
State Sales Tax: 6.00%
Local Sales Tax: 0.00%
State Property Tax: 1.06%
Average Real Estate Taxes (County): $2,081
Cigarette Tax: $1.34
Alcohol Tax: $6.50
State Fuel Tax (cents per gallon): 36.80
Sales Tax Holiday?: Y
Tax Friendliness: 81.94
16 | Augusta, GA
ESB Professional / ShutterstockPopulation: 197,081
State Income Tax: 6.00%
Local Income Tax: 0.00%
State Sales Tax: 4.00%
Local Sales Tax: 0.00%
State Property Tax: 0.95%
Average Real Estate Taxes (County): $1,304
Cigarette Tax: $0.37
Alcohol Tax: $3.79
State Fuel Tax (cents per gallon): 31.09
Sales Tax Holiday?: N
Tax Friendliness: 82.28
15 | Lubbock, TX
ShutterstockPopulation: 252,506
State Income Tax: 0.00%
Local Income Tax: 0.00%
State Sales Tax: 6.25%
Local Sales Tax: 2.00%
State Property Tax: 1.90%
Average Real Estate Taxes (County): $2,367
Cigarette Tax: $1.41
Alcohol Tax: $2.40
State Fuel Tax (cents per gallon): 20.00
Sales Tax Holiday?: Y
Tax Friendliness: 82.31
14 | Corpus Christi, TX
ShutterstockPopulation: 325,733
State Income Tax: 0.00%
Local Income Tax: 0.00%
State Sales Tax: 6.25%
Local Sales Tax: 2.00%
State Property Tax: 1.90%
Average Real Estate Taxes (County): $2,286
Cigarette Tax: $1.41
Alcohol Tax: $2.40
State Fuel Tax (cents per gallon): 20.00
Sales Tax Holiday?: Y
Tax Friendliness: 82.47
13 | Sioux Falls, SD
ShutterstockPopulation: 174,360
State Income Tax: 0.00%
Local Income Tax: 0.00%
State Sales Tax: 4.50%
Local Sales Tax: 0.00%
State Property Tax: 1.32%
Average Real Estate Taxes (County): $2,320
Cigarette Tax: $1.53
Alcohol Tax: $4.63
State Fuel Tax (cents per gallon): 30.00
Sales Tax Holiday?: N
Tax Friendliness: 83.38
12 | Midland, TX
ShutterstockPopulation: 134,610
State Income Tax: 0.00%
Local Income Tax: 0.00%
State Sales Tax: 6.25%
Local Sales Tax: 0.00%
State Property Tax: 1.90%
Average Real Estate Taxes (County): $2,715
Cigarette Tax: $1.41
Alcohol Tax: $2.40
State Fuel Tax (cents per gallon): 20.00
Sales Tax Holiday?: Y
Tax Friendliness: 83.61
11 | Shreveport, LA
ShutterstockPopulation: 194,920
State Income Tax: 6.00%
Local Income Tax: 0.00%
State Sales Tax: 5.00%
Local Sales Tax: 0.00%
State Property Tax: 0.51%
Average Real Estate Taxes (County): $1,129
Cigarette Tax: $1.08
Alcohol Tax: $2.50
State Fuel Tax (cents per gallon): 20.01
Sales Tax Holiday?: Y
Tax Friendliness: 83.65
10 | Killeen, TX
Wikimedia CommonsPopulation: 143,400
State Income Tax: 0.00%
Local Income Tax: 0.00%
State Sales Tax: 6.25%
Local Sales Tax: 0.00%
State Property Tax: 1.90%
Average Real Estate Taxes (County): $2,476
Cigarette Tax: $1.41
Alcohol Tax: $2.40
State Fuel Tax (cents per gallon): 20.00
Sales Tax Holiday?: Y
Tax Friendliness: 84.09
9 | Waco, TX
ShutterstockPopulation: 134,432
State Income Tax: 0.00%
Local Income Tax: 0.00%
State Sales Tax: 6.25%
Local Sales Tax: 0.00%
State Property Tax: 1.90%
Average Real Estate Taxes (County): $2,325
Cigarette Tax: $1.41
Alcohol Tax: $2.40
State Fuel Tax (cents per gallon): 20.00
Sales Tax Holiday?: Y
Tax Friendliness: 84.39
8 | Lakewood, CO
ShutterstockPopulation: 154,393
State Income Tax: 4.63%
Local Income Tax: 0.00%
State Sales Tax: 2.90%
Local Sales Tax: 0.00%
State Property Tax: 0.61%
Average Real Estate Taxes (County): $2,164
Cigarette Tax: $0.84
Alcohol Tax: $2.28
State Fuel Tax (cents per gallon): 22.00
Sales Tax Holiday?: N
Tax Friendliness: 84.41
7 | Fort Collins, CO
ShutterstockPopulation: 164,207
State Income Tax: 4.63%
Local Income Tax: 0.00%
State Sales Tax: 2.90%
Local Sales Tax: 0.00%
State Property Tax: 0.61%
Average Real Estate Taxes (County): $1,882
Cigarette Tax: $0.84
Alcohol Tax: $2.28
State Fuel Tax (cents per gallon): 22.00
Sales Tax Holiday?: N
Tax Friendliness: 84.98
6 | Springfield, MO
ShutterstockPopulation: 167,319
State Income Tax: 6.00%
Local Income Tax: 0.00%
State Sales Tax: 4.23%
Local Sales Tax: 0.00%
State Property Tax: 1.02%
Average Real Estate Taxes (County): $1,275
Cigarette Tax: $0.17
Alcohol Tax: $2.00
State Fuel Tax (cents per gallon): 17.30
Sales Tax Holiday?: Y
Tax Friendliness: 85.03
5 | Amarillo, TX
ShutterstockPopulation: 199,582
State Income Tax: 0.00%
Local Income Tax: 0.00%
State Sales Tax: 6.25%
Local Sales Tax: 0.00%
State Property Tax: 1.90%
Average Real Estate Taxes (County): $1,995
Cigarette Tax: $1.41
Alcohol Tax: $2.40
State Fuel Tax (cents per gallon): 20.00
Sales Tax Holiday?: Y
Tax Friendliness: 85.05
4 | McAllen, TX
ShutterstockPopulation: 142,212
State Income Tax: 0.00%
Local Income Tax: 0.00%
State Sales Tax: 6.25%
Local Sales Tax: 0.00%
State Property Tax: 1.90%
Average Real Estate Taxes (County): $1,948
Cigarette Tax: $1.41
Alcohol Tax: $2.40
State Fuel Tax (cents per gallon): 20.00
Sales Tax Holiday?: Y
Tax Friendliness: 85.14
3 | Thornton, CO
ShutterstockPopulation: 136,703
State Income Tax: 4.63%
Local Income Tax: 0.00%
State Sales Tax: 2.90%
Local Sales Tax: 0.00%
State Property Tax: 0.61%
Average Real Estate Taxes (County): $1,793
Cigarette Tax: $0.84
Alcohol Tax: $2.28
State Fuel Tax (cents per gallon): 22.00
Sales Tax Holiday?: N
Tax Friendliness: 85.15
2 | Brownsville, TX
ShutterstockPopulation: 183,823
State Income Tax: 0.00%
Local Income Tax: 0.00%
State Sales Tax: 6.25%
Local Sales Tax: 0.00%
State Property Tax: 1.90%
Average Real Estate Taxes (County): $1,750
Cigarette Tax: $1.41
Alcohol Tax: $2.40
State Fuel Tax (cents per gallon): 20.00
Sales Tax Holiday?: Y
Tax Friendliness: 85.54
1 | Dallas, TX
ShutterstockPopulation: 1,317,929
State Income Tax: 0.00%
Local Income Tax: 0.00%
State Sales Tax: 6.25%
Local Sales Tax: 2.00%
State Property Tax: 1.90%
Average Real Estate Taxes (County): $374
Cigarette Tax: $1.41
Alcohol Tax: $2.40
State Fuel Tax (cents per gallon): 20.00
Sales Tax Holiday?: Y
Tax Friendliness: 86.29
Want to see how you can spend all this money saved from taxes? See where your city ranks on the 50 Cities with the Best Singles Scenes in America.
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