Homestead Exemption by State — 2026 Guide
Homestead exemptions range from $0 in a few states to unlimited in Texas, Florida, Kansas, Iowa, and South Dakota. The national median is around $25,000–$75,000. States with higher exemptions provide significantly more protection from creditors and in bankruptcy proceedings. Acreage limits (not just dollar caps) matter in rural states.
What the Homestead Exemption Protects
The homestead exemption shields a defined amount of home equity in your primary residence from most unsecured creditors. When a creditor obtains a judgment against you and tries to force a sale of your home to collect, the exemption acts as a floor — you keep that amount before any proceeds go to the creditor. If your equity is below the exemption, the creditor cannot force a sale at all.
The protections vary enormously. Texas and Florida offer unlimited dollar protection (subject only to acreage limits), making them popular destinations for high-net-worth individuals with significant home equity. Most states cap the exemption at $25,000 to $500,000. A few states — most notably New Jersey and Pennsylvania — offer no homestead exemption under state law, though those residents can elect the federal bankruptcy exemption of $27,900 when filing for bankruptcy.
Use our homestead exemption calculator to see the exact exemption amount and filing requirements for your state.
Homestead Exemptions and Property Taxes
In many states, the homestead exemption does double duty: it protects home equity from creditors andreduces the assessed value of your home for property tax purposes. Florida's homestead exemption, for example, removes $25,000 from the assessed value for all levying authorities and an additional $25,000 for non-school levies — producing real tax savings for primary residents. Texas offers a $100,000 general homestead exemption for school district taxes. For a full breakdown of how property tax rates, assessment ratios, and homestead savings interact across all 50 states, see our property tax calculator.
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50-State Comparison
| State | Exemption Amount | Acreage Limit | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $15,000 | Acreage limit: 160 acres | Ala. Code § 6-10-2 |
| Alaska | $72,900 | No acreage limit | Alaska Stat. § 09.38.010 |
| Arizona | $250,000 | No acreage limit | Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 33-1101 |
| Arkansas | Unlimited | Acreage limit: 80 acres rural / 0.25 acre urban | Ark. Const. art. IX, §§ 3–5; Ark. Code Ann. § 16-66-210 |
| California | $349,300 | No acreage limit | Cal. Civ. Proc. Code § 704.730 |
| Colorado | $350,000 | No acreage limit | Colo. Rev. Stat. § 38-41-201 |
| Connecticut | $75,000 | No acreage limit | Conn. Gen. Stat. § 52-352b(t) |
| Delaware | $125,000 | No acreage limit | Del. Code Ann. tit. 10, § 4914(c)(1) |
| District of Columbia | Unlimited | No acreage limit | D.C. Code § 15-501(a)(14) |
| Florida | Unlimited | Acreage limit: 160 acres rural / 0.5 acre urban | Fla. Const. art. X, § 4; Fla. Stat. §§ 222.01–222.05 |
| Georgia | $21,500 | No acreage limit | O.C.G.A. § 44-13-100(a)(1) |
| Hawaii | $30,000 | Acreage limit: 1 acre | Haw. Rev. Stat. § 651-92 |
| Idaho | $175,000 | No acreage limit | Idaho Code § 55-1003 |
| Illinois | $15,000 | No acreage limit | 735 ILCS 5/12-901–12-906 |
| Indiana | $22,750 | No acreage limit | Ind. Code § 34-55-10-2(c)(1) |
| Iowa | Unlimited | Acreage limit: 40 acres rural / 0.5 acre urban | Iowa Code § 561.2 |
| Kansas | Unlimited | Acreage limit: 160 acres rural / 1 acre urban | Kan. Stat. Ann. § 60-2301 |
| Kentucky | $5,000 | No acreage limit | Ky. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 427.060 |
| Louisiana | $75,000 | Acreage limit: 200 acres rural / 5 acres urban | La. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 20:1; La. Const. art. XII, § 9 |
| Maine | $80,000 | No acreage limit | Me. Rev. Stat. Ann. tit. 14, § 4422(1) |
| Maryland | $31,575 | No acreage limit | Md. Code Ann., Cts. & Jud. Proc. § 11-504(b)(5) |
| Massachusetts | $500,000 | No acreage limit | Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 188, §§ 1–10 |
| Michigan | $46,125 | No acreage limit | Mich. Comp. Laws § 600.5451(1)(m) |
| Minnesota | $480,000 | Acreage limit: 160 acres | Minn. Stat. §§ 510.01–510.02 |
| Mississippi | $75,000 | Acreage limit: 160 acres | Miss. Code Ann. § 85-3-21 |
| Missouri | $15,000 | No acreage limit | Mo. Rev. Stat. § 513.475 |
| Montana | $425,000 | No acreage limit | Mont. Code Ann. § 70-32-101 |
| Nebraska | $60,000 | Acreage limit: 160 acres rural / 2 lots urban | Neb. Rev. Stat. § 40-101 |
| Nevada | $605,000 | No acreage limit | Nev. Rev. Stat. § 115.010 |
| New Hampshire | $400,000 | No acreage limit | N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 480:1 |
| New Jersey | $0 | No acreage limit | N.J. Stat. Ann. § 2A:17-19 |
| New Mexico | $60,000 | No acreage limit | N.M. Stat. Ann. § 42-10-9; N.M. Const. art. XXII, § 1 |
| New York | $179,975 | No acreage limit | N.Y. C.P.L.R. § 5206 |
| North Carolina | $35,000 | No acreage limit | N.C. Gen. Stat. § 1C-1601(a)(1) |
| North Dakota | $150,000 | No acreage limit | N.D. Cent. Code § 47-18-01 |
| Ohio | $182,625 | No acreage limit | Ohio Rev. Code § 2329.66(A)(1) |
| Oklahoma | Unlimited | Acreage limit: 160 acres rural / 1 acre urban | Okla. Const. Art. 12, §1; Okla. Stat. tit. 31, §§ 1-5 |
| Oregon | $150,000 | Acreage limit: 160 acres rural / 1 block urban | Or. Rev. Stat. § 18.395 |
| Pennsylvania | $0 | No acreage limit | 42 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 8123 |
| Rhode Island | $500,000 | No acreage limit | R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-26-4.1 |
| South Carolina | $63,250 | No acreage limit | S.C. Code Ann. § 15-41-30(A)(1) |
| South Dakota | Unlimited | Acreage limit: 160 acres rural / 1 acre urban | S.D. Codified Laws §§ 43-31-1 to 43-31-16 |
| Tennessee | $35,000 | No acreage limit | Tenn. Code Ann. § 26-2-301 |
| Texas | Unlimited | Acreage limit: 200 acres rural / 10 acres urban | Tex. Prop. Code §§ 41.001–41.005 |
| Utah | $30,000 | No acreage limit | Utah Code Ann. § 78B-5-503 |
| Vermont | $500,000 | No acreage limit | 12 V.S.A. § 2740 (raised from $125,000 to $500,000 effective July 1, 2022, per 2021 Vt. Acts & Resolves No. 44) |
| Virginia | $5,000 | No acreage limit | Va. Code §§ 34-4–34-4.1 |
| Washington | $125,000 | No acreage limit | Wash. Rev. Code §§ 6.13.010–6.13.080 |
| West Virginia | $25,000 | No acreage limit | W. Va. Code § 38-9-1 |
| Wisconsin | $75,000 | No acreage limit | Wis. Stat. § 815.20 |
| Wyoming | $100,000 | No acreage limit | Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 1-20-101 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which states have unlimited homestead exemptions?▾
Texas and Florida are the best-known states with unlimited homestead exemptions — no dollar cap on the equity you can protect in your primary residence, though both impose acreage limits (10 acres in a city or 100 acres in the country for a single person in Texas; 0.5 acres in a municipality or 160 acres elsewhere in Florida). Kansas, Iowa, and South Dakota also offer unlimited exemptions. This is why high-profile bankruptcy filers sometimes move to Florida or Texas before filing.
How does the homestead exemption work in bankruptcy?▾
In Chapter 7 bankruptcy, the homestead exemption protects up to the state's limit of equity in your primary residence. If your home equity exceeds the exemption, the trustee can sell the home, pay off the mortgage, give you your exempt amount, and distribute the remaining equity to creditors. In states with low exemptions — like New Jersey ($0 state exemption, but the federal $27,900 exemption is available) — significant home equity may be at risk. Most states require you to file a homestead declaration to claim the exemption.
Does the homestead exemption protect against all creditors?▾
No. The homestead exemption protects against most unsecured creditors (credit cards, medical bills, personal loans), but it does not protect against secured liens like your mortgage or a home equity loan. In most states it also does not protect against property tax liens, mechanic's liens, or HOA liens. Some states allow a homestead exemption to be reduced or eliminated to satisfy alimony or child support obligations. Always consult an attorney before assuming your home is protected.
How is the homestead exemption different from estate planning?▾
In the estate planning context, homestead exemption refers to the probate homestead — a rule in many states that allows a surviving spouse or minor children to occupy the family home free from creditors during the estate administration period, regardless of whether the home passes under the will. This is distinct from the bankruptcy homestead exemption, which protects equity from collection actions during your lifetime. Florida's constitutional homestead protection, for example, has both a creditor-protection component (bankruptcy) and a forced heirship restriction component (estate planning).
Can you claim a homestead exemption in multiple states?▾
No. The homestead exemption protects your primary residence only, and you can only have one primary residence. If you own homes in multiple states, only one can qualify as your homestead. Courts look at factors like where you are registered to vote, where you pay state income tax, where your driver's license is issued, and how much time you spend in each location. Attempting to claim homestead protection in multiple states is considered fraud.
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