New Jersey 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.
| | New Jersey | Ohio |
|---|---|---|
| Sale type | Tax lien certificate | Tax lien certificate (some counties) + foreclosure |
| Rate / penalty | Up to 18%, premium bidding | Up to 18%, bid down or negotiated |
| Redemption | 2 years | 1+ year |
These aren't the same kind of sale: New Jersey 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: New Jersey gives owners 2 years, Ohio gives 1+ year — the state with the shorter window resolves faster, for better or worse depending on what you're optimizing for.
New Jersey combines an 18% statutory cap with premium bidding (N.J.S.A. 54:5-32): once the rate is bid below 1% or to zero, bidders compete with a cash premium that the municipality holds without interest and returns only on redemption (§ 54:5-33). A private holder can file to foreclose two years after the sale (§ 54:5-86).
Full New Jersey 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
| | New Jersey | Ohio |
|---|---|---|
| Median home value | $454,400 | $214,800 |
| Median property tax / year | $9,590 | $2,822 |
| Tax / home value | 2.1% | 1.3% |
| Tax / household income | 9.3% | 4.0% |
| Homes owned outright | 36.1% | 39.4% |
| “Other vacant” homes | 1.9% | 4.3% |
| Median year built | 1970 | 1970 |
A typical home in New Jersey pays 3.4× the property tax of one in Ohio ($9,590 against $2,822 a year). One unpaid year is roughly the face value of a one-year certificate, so a typical New Jersey lien ties up about 3.4× the money of an Ohio one — and, at the same rate, earns 3.4× the dollars.
Homes owned outright — where no lender has a reason to pay the delinquent bill for the owner — are 36.1% of owner-occupied homes in New Jersey and 39.4% in Ohio. The Census “other vacant” share (foreclosures, homes in legal limbo or needing repairs, abandoned homes) is 1.9% 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 New Jersey or Ohio a tax lien state?+
New Jersey is a tax lien certificate state. Ohio is a tax lien certificate (some counties) + foreclosure state.
Which has the higher rate, New Jersey or Ohio?+
New Jersey: Up to 18%, premium bidding. 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, New Jersey or Ohio?+
Redemption windows differ: New Jersey gives owners 2 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 New Jersey or Ohio?+
The median homeowner pays $9,590 a year in New Jersey and $2,822 in Ohio (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates). A typical home in New Jersey pays 3.4× the property tax of one in Ohio ($9,590 against $2,822 a year). One unpaid year is roughly the face value of a one-year certificate, so a typical New Jersey lien ties up about 3.4× the money of an Ohio one — and, at the same rate, earns 3.4× 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.