[Sequoyah101]

Every state collects revenue one way or another. Some more than others.

If it is an income tax, you generally only pay it when you are earning money.

Otherwise, as in Texas, it is a property tax that you pay whether you are working or not. You can sell but not quickly to reduce the tax but it still goes on whether you are earning money or not.

I’ve lived in both types of regimes. Property tax in lieu of income tax is manageable by choice but goes up unmercifully no matter your economic condition.

One thing I believe ALL states try to do is to hide their per-capita revenue or to benchmark against any other state. Their only answer to any problem is that they need more revenue no matter how corrupt, inefficient or wasteful they are.

[RainMan]

I know of no place without a property tax. The debate is Sales Tax vs Income Tax.

[CMAC51]

Property tax comparisons only work if you include the assessed value of equivalent homes. If the equivalent home in one states property tax works out to 5% of a $250,000 assessment and in another state it is 3% of a $600,000 assessment, who is paying more in taxes.

Watch a some episodes of Fixer Upper and Property Brothers. You will see examples of equivalent homes and what the cost of acquisition is in one area vs. another. On the west coast, in the north east and the rust belt, home prices are significantly higher for equivalent homes.