How Connecticut Property Taxes Work
Connecticut uses a mill rate system where taxes are calculated per $1,000 of assessed value. Your assessed value is typically 70% of your property's fair market value. So a home worth $500,000 would have an assessed value of $350,000. If your town's mill rate is 30, your annual tax would be $10,500.
Mill Rates Vary Dramatically
This is where it gets interesting. Mill rates range from about 11 in wealthy Greenwich (which has a massive commercial tax base) to over 50 in some smaller cities. Practically speaking, a $400,000 home in Greenwich costs roughly $3,000 in taxes, while the same value home in Hartford could cost $14,000+. Always check the specific mill rate for any town you're considering.
Towns With the Lowest Taxes
- Greenwich: ~11.6 mills — low rate despite high home values
- Darien: ~16.5 mills — excellent schools, moderate rate
- Westport: ~17.2 mills — strong commercial base offsets residential burden
- New Canaan: ~17.8 mills — small town with efficient government
Tax Appeals
If you believe your assessment is too high, Connecticut law allows you to appeal. Start with an informal meeting with your town assessor, then escalate to the Board of Assessment Appeals if needed. Hiring a tax attorney or appraiser can be worthwhile for significant overvaluations.