California Property Tax Rates by County
California homeowners pay a median $5,124 a year in property tax, an effective rate of 0.70% on a median home value of $734,700 — 26% lower than the national median of 0.94%, and the 35th highest of the 50 states and D.C.
Property tax rates across California
Property tax in every California county
Median effective rate = median real estate taxes paid ÷ median home value (Census ACS 2020-2024). Click a column to sort.
| County | Effective rate | Median tax | Median home value | Share of income | Owner homes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kern County | 0.88% | $2,984 | $338,300 | 3.3% | 171,133 |
| Placer County | 0.84% | $5,812 | $688,100 | 4.3% | 118,103 |
| Contra Costa County | 0.83% | $7,156 | $866,800 | 4.6% | 281,819 |
| San Benito County | 0.81% | $6,441 | $793,400 | 4.7% | 13,970 |
| Riverside County | 0.78% | $4,348 | $557,300 | 4.0% | 535,986 |
| Alameda County | 0.78% | $8,474 | $1,090,100 | 4.7% | 325,509 |
| Imperial County | 0.77% | $2,394 | $309,600 | 3.0% | 28,210 |
| Alpine County | 0.77% | $4,530 | $590,200 | 4.1% | 340 |
| Yolo County | 0.77% | $4,749 | $620,700 | 3.6% | 41,637 |
| Nevada County | 0.76% | $4,694 | $621,800 | 4.5% | 32,342 |
| Sutter County | 0.75% | $3,268 | $433,500 | 3.3% | 20,417 |
| Kings County | 0.75% | $2,425 | $324,300 | 2.6% | 23,870 |
| Solano County | 0.75% | $4,621 | $617,700 | 3.8% | 99,263 |
| San Joaquin County | 0.75% | $3,960 | $530,700 | 3.4% | 152,030 |
| Yuba County | 0.74% | $3,071 | $412,300 | 3.2% | 18,182 |
| Inyo County | 0.74% | $2,576 | $348,700 | 3.3% | 5,339 |
| Fresno County | 0.74% | $2,861 | $388,800 | 2.8% | 180,371 |
| Sacramento County | 0.73% | $3,921 | $534,200 | 3.3% | 337,066 |
| Lake County | 0.73% | $2,369 | $324,300 | 3.4% | 19,441 |
| Calaveras County | 0.73% | $3,319 | $457,200 | 3.9% | 15,480 |
| Lassen County | 0.72% | $1,923 | $265,300 | 2.4% | 6,305 |
| Stanislaus County | 0.71% | $3,216 | $450,100 | 3.2% | 108,828 |
| San Francisco County | 0.71% | $9,862 | $1,394,500 | 5.2% | 139,057 |
| Amador County | 0.70% | $3,172 | $449,800 | 3.4% | 12,941 |
| Plumas County | 0.70% | $2,537 | $360,200 | 3.5% | 6,006 |
| Tulare County | 0.70% | $2,318 | $330,100 | 2.6% | 83,701 |
| Madera County | 0.70% | $2,756 | $393,200 | 3.0% | 30,613 |
| San Bernardino County | 0.70% | $3,538 | $505,000 | 3.4% | 418,836 |
| El Dorado County | 0.70% | $4,753 | $679,900 | 3.7% | 58,844 |
| Sonoma County | 0.70% | $5,695 | $815,500 | 4.4% | 119,598 |
| Butte County | 0.69% | $2,951 | $424,700 | 3.1% | 47,717 |
| Modoc County | 0.69% | $1,561 | $224,700 | 2.5% | 2,530 |
| Shasta County | 0.69% | $2,542 | $366,400 | 2.8% | 46,694 |
| Mendocino County | 0.69% | $3,545 | $512,200 | 4.1% | 21,500 |
| Napa County | 0.69% | $5,995 | $869,500 | 4.3% | 31,555 |
| Sierra County | 0.69% | $2,279 | $331,900 | 3.4% | 879 |
| San Luis Obispo County | 0.68% | $5,636 | $824,700 | 4.6% | 67,986 |
| Los Angeles County | 0.68% | $5,675 | $834,200 | 4.4% | 1,567,983 |
| Ventura County | 0.68% | $5,574 | $822,700 | 4.1% | 181,039 |
| San Diego County | 0.68% | $5,774 | $854,700 | 4.2% | 639,138 |
| Merced County | 0.67% | $2,634 | $391,800 | 3.1% | 46,474 |
| Santa Clara County | 0.67% | $10,001 | $1,490,600 | 4.8% | 363,147 |
| Marin County | 0.66% | $10,001 | $1,507,300 | 5.1% | 66,616 |
| Tuolumne County | 0.66% | $2,864 | $433,200 | 3.2% | 16,771 |
| Orange County | 0.66% | $6,330 | $962,600 | 4.2% | 610,659 |
| Mono County | 0.65% | $4,177 | $639,400 | 3.6% | 3,758 |
| Santa Barbara County | 0.65% | $5,103 | $790,700 | 3.9% | 78,344 |
| Glenn County | 0.64% | $2,263 | $352,400 | 2.6% | 6,002 |
| Humboldt County | 0.64% | $2,858 | $446,900 | 3.4% | 31,053 |
| Siskiyou County | 0.64% | $1,973 | $309,500 | 2.8% | 13,203 |
| Santa Cruz County | 0.64% | $6,538 | $1,027,500 | 4.7% | 58,079 |
| Monterey County | 0.63% | $4,910 | $781,000 | 3.9% | 68,993 |
| Tehama County | 0.62% | $2,118 | $339,600 | 2.7% | 16,640 |
| Colusa County | 0.62% | $2,426 | $393,400 | 2.7% | 4,674 |
| Del Norte County | 0.61% | $2,099 | $342,000 | 2.4% | 6,673 |
| Mariposa County | 0.61% | $2,377 | $387,900 | 3.0% | 5,611 |
| San Mateo County | 0.61% | $9,519 | $1,559,600 | 4.8% | 154,607 |
| Trinity County | 0.58% | $1,888 | $325,800 | 3.3% | 4,006 |
Highest and lowest
Rates are highest in Kern County (0.88%), Placer County (0.84%) and Contra Costa County (0.83%) and lowest in Trinity County (0.58%), San Mateo County (0.61%) and Mariposa County (0.61%). In the largest counties — Los Angeles County (0.68%), San Diego County (0.68%), Orange County (0.66%), Riverside County (0.78%), San Bernardino County (0.70%) — the median bill ranges from $3,538 to $6,330.
Property tax and income in California
The median bill takes 4.0% of the median owner household's income in California, against 3.1% nationally. Among counties with at least 2,000 owner-occupied homes, the burden is heaviest in San Francisco County (5.2%), Marin County (5.1%), San Mateo County (4.8%).
California property tax estimate
Property tax at different home values in California
| Home value | Estimated annual tax | Monthly (estimated annual tax) |
|---|---|---|
| $300,000 | $2,091 | $174 |
| $400,000 | $2,788 | $232 |
| $500,000 | $3,485 | $290 |
| $750,000 | $5,227 | $436 |
| $1,000,000 | $6,970 | $581 |
| $1,500,000 | $10,455 | $871 |
Based on the median effective rate in California (0.70%).
How property tax works in California
- Proposition 13:the general tax rate is 1% of assessed value, plus voter-approved bonds and special assessments — so most bills total about 1.1%–1.3%.
- Assessed value:a home is assessed at its purchase price, and that value can rise by no more than 2% a year until it is sold or newly built on. Long-time owners therefore often pay far less than new buyers next door.
- After you buy:the county reassesses the home at the price you paid and sends one or more supplemental tax bills for the rest of the fiscal year.
- Homeowners' exemption:$7,000 off the assessed value of a primary residence (about $70–$80 a year).
- When it's due:in two installments: the first is due November 1 and delinquent after December 10; the second is due February 1 and delinquent after April 10. Each late installment carries a 10% penalty.
Key property tax dates in California
- January 1Lien date: property is valued as of this date.
- July 2Assessment appeal filing period opens.
- September 15 or November 30Assessment appeal deadline, depending on the county.
- November 1First installment due (delinquent after December 10).
- February 1Second installment due (delinquent after April 10).
Statewide deadlines; if a deadline falls on a weekend or holiday it moves to the next business day. Check the county office for local hearing dates.
How to lower your property tax in California
- Claim the homeowners' exemption with the county assessor if the home is your primary residence.
- Request a decline-in-value (Proposition 8) review if the market value of your home has fallen below its assessed value.
- Appeal to the county assessment appeals board between July 2 and September 15 — or November 30 in counties that don't mail value notices by August 1.
- Use Proposition 19 if you are 55+, severely disabled or a disaster victim: you can carry your assessed value to a replacement home anywhere in California.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average property tax in California?
The median homeowner in California pays $5,124 a year, 0.70% of a median home value of $734,700 and about 4.0% of the median owner household income of $127,456.
Which California county has the highest property tax rate?
Kern County (0.88%), followed by Placer County (0.84%) and Contra Costa County (0.83%), by median effective rate.
Which California county has the lowest property tax rate?
Trinity County (0.58%), followed by San Mateo County (0.61%) and Mariposa County (0.61%).
How much is property tax on a $300,000 home in California?
At the statewide median effective rate of 0.70%, about $2,091 a year ($174 a month). Depending on the county it ranges from $1,737 to $2,646.
Sources
- U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates (tables B25103, B25077, B25003).
- Methodology