Arizona 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.
| | Arizona | Ohio |
|---|---|---|
| Sale type | Tax lien certificate | Tax lien certificate (some counties) + foreclosure |
| Rate / penalty | Up to 16%, bid down | Up to 18%, bid down or negotiated |
| Redemption | 3+ years | 1+ year |
These aren't the same kind of sale: Arizona 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: Arizona gives owners 3+ years, Ohio gives 1+ year — the state with the shorter window resolves faster, for better or worse depending on what you're optimizing for.
Arizona tax lien certificates carry a maximum of 16% simple interest (A.R.S. § 42-18053), auctioned by bid-down like Florida (§ 42-18114). The holder cannot sue to foreclose until three years after the sale and must do so within ten (§ 42-18201), and the owner can redeem until the treasurer's deed is delivered (§ 42-18152).
Full Arizona 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
| | Arizona | Ohio |
|---|---|---|
| Median home value | $394,500 | $214,800 |
| Median property tax / year | $1,879 | $2,822 |
| Tax / home value | 0.5% | 1.3% |
| Tax / household income | 2.3% | 4.0% |
| Homes owned outright | 38.2% | 39.4% |
| “Other vacant” homes | 2.2% | 4.3% |
| Median year built | 1992 | 1970 |
A typical home in Ohio pays 1.5× the property tax of one in Arizona ($2,822 against $1,879 a year). One unpaid year is roughly the face value of a one-year certificate, so a typical Ohio lien ties up about 1.5× the money of an Arizona one — and, at the same rate, earns 1.5× the dollars.
Homes owned outright — where no lender has a reason to pay the delinquent bill for the owner — are 38.2% of owner-occupied homes in Arizona and 39.4% in Ohio. The Census “other vacant” share (foreclosures, homes in legal limbo or needing repairs, abandoned homes) is 2.2% against 4.3%: Ohio 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 Arizona or Ohio a tax lien state?+
Arizona is a tax lien certificate state. Ohio is a tax lien certificate (some counties) + foreclosure state.
Which has the higher rate, Arizona or Ohio?+
Arizona: Up to 16%, bid down. 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, Arizona or Ohio?+
Redemption windows differ: Arizona gives owners 3+ 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 Arizona or Ohio?+
The median homeowner pays $1,879 a year in Arizona and $2,822 in Ohio (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates). A typical home in Ohio pays 1.5× the property tax of one in Arizona ($2,822 against $1,879 a year). One unpaid year is roughly the face value of a one-year certificate, so a typical Ohio lien ties up about 1.5× the money of an Arizona one — and, at the same rate, earns 1.5× the dollars.
Want to line up more than two states, or swap in different ones? Use the interactive comparison tool — up to four states at once.
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.