Alabama vs Ohio
Same underlying data as the individual state pages, side by side. Statutory rates and redemption windows only — always confirm against the county's own auction notice before bidding.
| | Alabama | Ohio |
|---|---|---|
| Sale type | Tax lien certificate | Tax lien certificate (some counties) + foreclosure |
| Rate / penalty | Up to 12%, bid down (lien auction counties) | Up to 18%, bid down or negotiated |
| Redemption | 3–4+ years | 1+ year |
These aren't the same kind of sale: Alabama runs a tax lien certificate, while Ohio runs a tax lien certificate (some counties) + foreclosure. That changes what you actually hold after the sale — a claim against the debt in one case, the property itself (or a right to it) in the other.
Redemption windows differ: Alabama gives owners 3–4+ years, Ohio gives 1+ year — the state with the shorter window resolves faster, for better or worse depending on what you're optimizing for.
Each Alabama county chooses every year between a tax lien auction and a sale of the property (Code of Ala. § 40-10-180). Lien auctions start at no more than 12% and are bid down (§ 40-10-184), and the holder may foreclose only after four years and before ten (§ 40-10-197). Property sales are bid up on price, redeem within three years at 8% interest (§ 40-10-120, § 40-10-122), and the excess bid only earns interest up to 15% of market value.
Full Alabama page →Ohio county treasurers may sell tax certificates (R.C. 5721.31): at auction the rate is bid down from 18% in quarter-point steps and the owner pays at least 6% of the price on redemption (R.C. 5721.32, 5721.30(E)), or the whole list goes to one buyer in a negotiated sale (R.C. 5721.33). The holder can file for foreclosure after one year (R.C. 5721.37) and the owner can redeem until the sale is confirmed. Where no certificate is sold, the county forecloses and the sheriff sells the property (R.C. 5721.18–5721.19).
Full Ohio page →Property & tax market
| | Alabama | Ohio |
|---|---|---|
| Median home value | $209,900 | $214,800 |
| Median property tax / year | $788 | $2,822 |
| Tax / home value | 0.4% | 1.3% |
| Tax / household income | 1.2% | 4.0% |
| Homes owned outright | 45.9% | 39.4% |
| “Other vacant” homes | 7.7% | 4.3% |
| Median year built | 1986 | 1970 |
A typical home in Ohio pays 3.6× the property tax of one in Alabama ($2,822 against $788 a year). One unpaid year is roughly the face value of a one-year certificate, so a typical Ohio lien ties up about 3.6× the money of an Alabama one — and, at the same rate, earns 3.6× the dollars.
Homes owned outright — where no lender has a reason to pay the delinquent bill for the owner — are 45.9% of owner-occupied homes in Alabama and 39.4% in Ohio. The Census “other vacant” share (foreclosures, homes in legal limbo or needing repairs, abandoned homes) is 7.7% against 4.3%: Alabama has more of the empty properties that tend to go unredeemed — and to need work if the deed ends up yours.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates (tables B25077, B25103, B25081, B25002, B25004, B25035, B19013). Medians of what owners report paying, not statutory rates. County-level figures are on each state page.
Quick answers
Is Alabama or Ohio a tax lien state?+
Alabama is a tax lien certificate state. Ohio is a tax lien certificate (some counties) + foreclosure state.
Which has the higher rate, Alabama or Ohio?+
Alabama: Up to 12%, bid down (lien auction counties). Ohio: Up to 18%, bid down or negotiated. Compare the actual statutory ceiling, not just the headline number — most "up to" rates get bid down at auction.
Which redeems faster, Alabama or Ohio?+
Redemption windows differ: Alabama gives owners 3–4+ years, Ohio gives 1+ year — the state with the shorter window resolves faster, for better or worse depending on what you're optimizing for.
Are property taxes higher in Alabama or Ohio?+
The median homeowner pays $788 a year in Alabama and $2,822 in Ohio (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates). A typical home in Ohio pays 3.6× the property tax of one in Alabama ($2,822 against $788 a year). One unpaid year is roughly the face value of a one-year certificate, so a typical Ohio lien ties up about 3.6× the money of an Alabama one — and, at the same rate, earns 3.6× the dollars.
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See where these two rank against all 50 states: full rankings.
This page is general information, not financial or legal advice. Rates and redemption periods are set by state statute and can change by county or legislative session — always confirm against the county's own auction notice before bidding.