Property Taxes in California
Property Taxes in California
Median California effective property tax rate: 1.21%, significantly higher than the national median of 1.02%.
Median California home value: $427,605
Median annual California tax bill: $5,134, $2,734 higher than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.
How are property taxes in California calculated?
Property taxes in California are calculated based on the tax assessed value, which is often lower than the actual market value due to property tax exemptions such as the homestead or senior exemption.
Understanding your county's property tax system, exemptions, and reduction opportunities can lead to significant savings. Regardless of where you are in California, knowing local tax details benefits homeowners and investors.
Last Updated April 13, 2026
California Property Tax Bill Calculator
$100,000
$1,500,000
$3,000,000
Median Effective Tax Rate
1.21%
Estimate Property Tax Bill
$5,174
$4,801
$774
Average Annual Tax Savings
How Does the California Property Tax Calculator Work?
Use this California property tax calculator to estimate your annual tax bill with just your property's assessed value. Our calculator applies California's median effective tax rate of 1.21% to generate a realistic estimate of what you'll owe — or what you could save.
Enter your property's estimated assessed value — the value your county assessor uses to calculate your bill, which is typically lower than market value after exemptions. Our calculator applies California's median effective tax rate (actual tax bills divided by assessor's market value), which accounts for exemptions and provides a more accurate estimate than the statutory millage rate alone.
Note: your assessed value is determined by your county and reflects any exemptions you already have. California's median property tax bill is $5,134, compared with the national median property tax bill of $2,400. For a more localized estimate, scroll down to explore county and city-level trends, where Marin's median tax bill is $11,574 and Modoc's is $1,019.
If your estimate is higher than expected, Ownwell can review your assessment and protest on your behalf. California homeowners who protested with Ownwell saved an average of $774 per year.
Property Tax Rates Across California
What Are Effective Property Tax Rates in California?
Local government entities set tax rates, which can vary widely across California. Each county estimates its required budget to fund public services and divides that by the total assessed value of all taxable property in its jurisdiction. This calculation produces the effective tax rate.
Below, compare any California county's effective rate to other counties in the state or the national median of 1.02%.
For instance, Kern County has the highest effective property tax rate in California at 1.43%, while Riverside County has the lowest at 0.73%.
Our median effective rate (your actual tax bill divided by the assessor's market value) accounts for all exemptions and deductions, making it more accurate than the general statutory millage rate.
Our median effective property tax rate (tax bill ÷ assessor's market value) accounts for exemptions and deductions, making it more accurate than the general median tax rate, which is the midpoint of statutory rates before adjustments.
Median Effective California Tax Rate
1.21%
Our median effective property tax rate (tax bill ÷ assessor's market value) accounts for exemptions and deductions, making it more accurate than the general median tax rate, which is the midpoint of statutory rates before adjustments.
Median Effective United States Tax Rate
1.02%
Property Tax Rates Across California
| County | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Rate | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alameda | 1.21% | 1.28% | 1.42% | 1.69% | 2.30% |
| Alpine | 0.98% | 1.01% | 1.01% | 1.23% | 1.49% |
| Amador | 0.95% | 0.99% | 1.00% | 1.02% | 1.09% |
| Butte | 1.00% | 1.05% | 1.07% | 1.10% | 1.19% |
| Calaveras | 1.11% | 1.15% | 1.21% | 1.34% | 1.62% |
| Colusa | 1.07% | 1.09% | 1.14% | 1.21% | 1.44% |
| Contra Costa | 1.13% | 1.20% | 1.31% | 1.55% | 1.87% |
| Del Norte | 1.01% | 1.05% | 1.06% | 1.14% | 1.29% |
| El Dorado | 1.04% | 1.06% | 1.08% | 1.13% | 1.30% |
| Fresno | 1.08% | 1.17% | 1.22% | 1.27% | 1.36% |
| Glenn | 1.05% | 1.08% | 1.13% | 1.44% | 1.92% |
| Humboldt | 1.02% | 1.05% | 1.08% | 1.14% | 1.25% |
| Imperial | 1.09% | 1.12% | 1.17% | 1.33% | 2.09% |
| Inyo | 1.00% | 1.05% | 1.05% | 1.09% | 1.24% |
| Kern | 1.15% | 1.28% | 1.43% | 1.65% | 2.08% |
| Kings | 0.94% | 1.01% | 1.04% | 1.07% | 1.11% |
| Lake | 1.09% | 1.13% | 1.19% | 1.26% | 1.42% |
| Lassen | 0.92% | 0.97% | 1.00% | 1.04% | 1.12% |
| Los Angeles | 1.19% | 1.23% | 1.29% | 1.41% | 1.67% |
| Madera | 0.98% | 1.04% | 1.12% | 1.18% | 1.38% |
| Marin | 1.18% | 1.27% | 1.39% | 1.61% | 2.10% |
| Mariposa | 1.01% | 1.03% | 1.05% | 1.06% | 1.31% |
| Mendocino | 1.11% | 1.19% | 1.22% | 1.29% | 1.63% |
| Merced | 0.99% | 1.04% | 1.07% | 1.18% | 1.40% |
| Modoc | 0.98% | 1.03% | 1.11% | 1.26% | 1.62% |
| Mono | 1.10% | 1.14% | 1.16% | 1.19% | 1.31% |
| Monterey | 1.03% | 1.06% | 1.12% | 1.19% | 1.36% |
| Napa | 1.09% | 1.13% | 1.24% | 1.37% | 1.64% |
| Nevada | 1.04% | 1.07% | 1.13% | 1.31% | 1.54% |
| Orange | 1.01% | 1.06% | 1.14% | 1.23% | 1.38% |
| Placer | 1.01% | 1.04% | 1.12% | 1.34% | 1.59% |
| Plumas | 1.00% | 1.05% | 1.10% | 1.19% | 1.28% |
| Riverside | 0.59% | 0.64% | 0.73% | 0.88% | 1.11% |
| Sacramento | 1.07% | 1.13% | 1.19% | 1.28% | 1.54% |
| San Benito | 1.16% | 1.24% | 1.27% | 1.35% | 1.52% |
| San Bernardino | 1.05% | 1.09% | 1.20% | 1.37% | 1.68% |
| San Diego | 1.05% | 1.10% | 1.19% | 1.23% | 1.39% |
| San Francisco | 1.16% | 1.18% | 1.22% | 1.31% | 1.51% |
| San Joaquin | 1.08% | 1.11% | 1.23% | 1.39% | 1.67% |
| San Luis Obispo | 1.02% | 1.04% | 1.08% | 1.11% | 1.28% |
| San Mateo | 1.09% | 1.14% | 1.23% | 1.39% | 1.78% |
| Santa Barbara | 1.07% | 1.09% | 1.13% | 1.24% | 1.47% |
| Santa Clara | 1.17% | 1.20% | 1.31% | 1.50% | 1.81% |
| Santa Cruz | 1.13% | 1.17% | 1.23% | 1.35% | 1.64% |
| Shasta | 1.00% | 1.03% | 1.06% | 1.10% | 1.16% |
| Sierra | 1.02% | 1.10% | 1.25% | 1.54% | 2.01% |
| Siskiyou | 0.98% | 1.02% | 1.04% | 1.08% | 1.16% |
| Solano | 1.11% | 1.15% | 1.21% | 1.47% | 1.78% |
| Sonoma | 1.11% | 1.14% | 1.17% | 1.25% | 1.51% |
| Stanislaus | 1.06% | 1.09% | 1.14% | 1.23% | 1.46% |
| Sutter | 1.10% | 1.15% | 1.20% | 1.36% | 1.57% |
| Tehama | 0.93% | 0.98% | 1.01% | 1.03% | 1.07% |
| Trinity | 0.97% | 1.00% | 1.03% | 1.10% | 1.23% |
| Tulare | 0.98% | 1.04% | 1.07% | 1.12% | 1.20% |
| Tuolumne | 0.99% | 1.03% | 1.06% | 1.09% | 1.22% |
| Ventura | 1.07% | 1.09% | 1.15% | 1.22% | 1.35% |
| Yolo | 1.06% | 1.18% | 1.32% | 1.58% | 1.89% |
| Yuba | 1.12% | 1.16% | 1.23% | 1.49% | 1.75% |
Source: Ownwell
$774
Average Annual Tax Savings
Save on Your Property Taxes and More With Ownwell
Property Tax Assessment Values Across California
Understanding the distinction between "market value" and "assessed value" is crucial when examining property taxes in California.
The market value is what a willing buyer would pay to a willing seller in an open and competitive market. Location, property condition, and economic market trends often influence it. Each California county assessor estimates the market value for tax purposes. California’s median home price is $427,605, far above the national median property tax bill of $2,400.
The assessed value is the market value minus any applicable exemptions or limits determined by local laws and offerings. The tax assessed value is the figure used to calculate your property taxes or the amount multiplied by your tax rate to get your tax bill. California’s median property tax bill is $5,134, with bills ranging from $2,879 at the 25th percentile to $13,413 at the 90th percentile.
Assessment notices:
In California, assessment notices are sent in the spring each year. They'll typically reach your mailbox by the end of April.
Each property owner receives an assessment notice that contains both the market value and assessed value, along with an estimate of your property tax bill. Marin has the highest median home price at $841,979, while Marin also has the highest median tax bill at $11,574 and Modoc has the lowest at $1,019.
Median California Market Value
$427,605
Median United States Market Value
$235,294
Property Tax Assessment Values Across California
| County | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Home Price | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alameda | $135,789 | $302,183 | $564,082 | $910,350 | $1,319,859 |
| Alpine | $128,934 | $231,142 | $385,000 | $595,929 | $946,356 |
| Amador | $83,607 | $180,265 | $298,594 | $432,371 | $572,799 |
| Butte | $87,589 | $159,148 | $272,170 | $403,844 | $542,575 |
| Calaveras | $78,521 | $171,784 | $291,047 | $428,612 | $583,184 |
| Colusa | $60,354 | $107,475 | $188,260 | $297,846 | $405,388 |
| Contra Costa | $161,310 | $301,860 | $530,390 | $822,722 | $1,312,578 |
| Del Norte | $30,226 | $84,189 | $177,317 | $294,952 | $419,176 |
| El Dorado | $137,084 | $249,655 | $413,970 | $621,180 | $857,648 |
| Fresno | $78,334 | $140,390 | $245,047 | $372,256 | $508,542 |
| Glenn | $47,746 | $98,217 | $170,598 | $272,770 | $373,602 |
| Humboldt | $61,001 | $128,426 | $238,477 | $360,918 | $494,190 |
| Imperial | $51,601 | $105,331 | $177,768 | $263,566 | $338,130 |
| Inyo | $11,865 | $45,375 | $197,563 | $365,372 | $523,926 |
| Kern | $62,790 | $124,840 | $219,332 | $334,280 | $451,785 |
| Kings | $77,284 | $132,178 | $219,438 | $322,640 | $414,951 |
| Lake | $54,512 | $118,608 | $215,510 | $332,928 | $466,404 |
| Lassen | $36,764 | $78,494 | $156,126 | $250,000 | $353,736 |
| Los Angeles | $140,145 | $260,979 | $457,139 | $742,844 | $1,197,011 |
| Madera | $83,951 | $147,912 | $250,988 | $383,981 | $504,594 |
| Marin | $203,488 | $436,686 | $841,979 | $1,400,271 | $2,292,741 |
| Mariposa | $44,082 | $102,209 | $202,340 | $315,351 | $452,069 |
| Mendocino | $48,515 | $119,553 | $243,814 | $403,283 | $579,314 |
| Merced | $80,016 | $140,374 | $239,144 | $360,896 | $464,291 |
| Modoc | $13,654 | $39,145 | $90,004 | $181,873 | $309,118 |
| Mono | $126,808 | $234,024 | $402,541 | $656,452 | $1,019,421 |
| Monterey | $136,146 | $251,098 | $453,393 | $757,701 | $1,295,874 |
| Napa | $103,094 | $258,670 | $488,969 | $759,900 | $1,155,426 |
| Nevada | $159,903 | $272,747 | $432,079 | $641,376 | $944,254 |
| Orange | $104,603 | $296,665 | $539,567 | $853,370 | $1,300,000 |
| Placer | $210,437 | $347,252 | $506,842 | $675,868 | $936,302 |
| Plumas | $59,728 | $135,332 | $250,988 | $412,739 | $653,189 |
| Riverside | $123,120 | $335,032 | $625,887 | $940,528 | $1,264,605 |
| Sacramento | $117,708 | $210,235 | $348,527 | $502,210 | $667,280 |
| San Benito | $172,612 | $301,492 | $511,438 | $677,347 | $842,724 |
| San Bernardino | $86,068 | $173,184 | $304,579 | $476,271 | $655,732 |
| San Diego | $147,175 | $285,340 | $499,949 | $769,459 | $1,144,440 |
| San Francisco | $153,111 | $382,480 | $772,647 | $1,316,306 | $2,030,872 |
| San Joaquin | $102,135 | $185,042 | $320,162 | $487,847 | $663,000 |
| San Luis Obispo | $137,448 | $283,490 | $492,000 | $747,414 | $1,046,333 |
| San Mateo | $179,046 | $407,738 | $810,000 | $1,397,509 | $2,295,000 |
| Santa Barbara | $110,973 | $229,794 | $419,527 | $762,451 | $1,414,251 |
| Santa Clara | $150,798 | $366,570 | $717,300 | $1,177,090 | $1,872,720 |
| Santa Cruz | $100,122 | $256,728 | $500,310 | $825,484 | $1,197,433 |
| Shasta | $64,522 | $139,561 | $246,501 | $367,105 | $503,260 |
| Sierra | $58,592 | $112,762 | $205,413 | $338,854 | $505,530 |
| Siskiyou | $39,038 | $79,548 | $158,723 | $267,729 | $387,701 |
| Solano | $130,883 | $229,971 | $378,209 | $530,784 | $678,057 |
| Sonoma | $147,771 | $282,869 | $473,427 | $704,016 | $965,817 |
| Stanislaus | $103,814 | $168,246 | $268,470 | $390,870 | $503,932 |
| Sutter | $77,695 | $147,942 | $240,759 | $350,375 | $465,726 |
| Tehama | $52,279 | $104,041 | $194,200 | $300,998 | $414,944 |
| Trinity | $55,623 | $102,623 | $183,243 | $290,140 | $418,351 |
| Tulare | $57,139 | $115,303 | $196,205 | $304,012 | $409,397 |
| Tuolumne | $21,658 | $106,659 | $238,559 | $366,368 | $508,662 |
| Ventura | $146,526 | $301,844 | $506,609 | $753,514 | $1,046,699 |
| Yolo | $110,675 | $208,684 | $365,726 | $535,844 | $730,171 |
| Yuba | $68,206 | $126,234 | $241,820 | $362,100 | $469,200 |
Source: Ownwell
$774
Average Annual Tax Savings
Save on Your Property Taxes and More With Ownwell
Property Tax Bills Across California
How much are property tax bills across California?
Property tax bills in California are calculated by multiplying the property's assessed value by the local effective tax rate. The assessed value is determined by the county assessor and reflects the market value of the property minus any applicable exemptions.
California homeowners face varying tax obligations depending on their location. The median tax bill in Marin County is $11,574.00, while homeowners in Modoc County pay a median of $1,019.00.
Factors including property size, recent improvements, and neighborhood comparables all influence the final assessed value, and therefore the tax bill.
Understanding these factors helps property owners evaluate their assessment accuracy and identify whether an appeal may be warranted. Ownwell can help homeowners save on their property tax bills.
Median California Tax Bill
$5,134
Median United States Tax Bill
$2,400
Property Tax Bills Across California
| County | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Bill | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alameda | $3,063 | $4,971 | $8,209 | $12,405 | $17,704 |
| Alpine | $1,730 | $2,572 | $4,139 | $6,519 | $10,167 |
| Amador | $803 | $1,732 | $2,930 | $4,340 | $5,883 |
| Butte | $551 | $1,365 | $2,669 | $4,216 | $5,761 |
| Calaveras | $1,238 | $2,234 | $3,486 | $4,980 | $6,724 |
| Colusa | $698 | $1,211 | $2,133 | $3,472 | $4,817 |
| Contra Costa | $2,604 | $4,273 | $6,979 | $10,769 | $15,922 |
| Del Norte | $291 | $892 | $1,871 | $3,111 | $4,405 |
| El Dorado | $1,558 | $2,747 | $4,531 | $7,090 | $10,152 |
| Fresno | $937 | $1,670 | $2,963 | $4,548 | $6,240 |
| Glenn | $702 | $1,342 | $2,135 | $3,155 | $4,237 |
| Humboldt | $698 | $1,434 | $2,611 | $3,967 | $5,412 |
| Imperial | $730 | $1,386 | $2,267 | $3,429 | $4,531 |
| Inyo | $135 | $625 | $2,260 | $3,922 | $5,554 |
| Kern | $1,125 | $1,944 | $3,124 | $4,564 | $6,067 |
| Kings | $672 | $1,254 | $2,180 | $3,305 | $4,417 |
| Lake | $708 | $1,422 | $2,503 | $3,838 | $5,337 |
| Lassen | $353 | $778 | $1,546 | $2,478 | $3,501 |
| Los Angeles | $2,031 | $3,593 | $5,993 | $9,395 | $14,692 |
| Madera | $991 | $1,656 | $2,726 | $4,185 | $5,932 |
| Marin | $4,241 | $6,783 | $11,574 | $18,194 | $28,072 |
| Mariposa | $522 | $1,103 | $2,178 | $3,474 | $4,956 |
| Mendocino | $664 | $1,620 | $3,133 | $5,047 | $7,178 |
| Merced | $812 | $1,486 | $2,601 | $4,133 | $5,661 |
| Modoc | $185 | $480 | $1,019 | $1,914 | $3,133 |
| Mono | $1,388 | $2,716 | $4,749 | $7,776 | $12,202 |
| Monterey | $1,357 | $2,745 | $5,005 | $8,331 | $13,469 |
| Napa | $1,703 | $3,571 | $6,259 | $9,450 | $13,866 |
| Nevada | $1,872 | $3,269 | $5,064 | $7,457 | $10,707 |
| Orange | $1,507 | $3,516 | $6,177 | $9,754 | $15,064 |
| Placer | $2,447 | $3,890 | $5,928 | $8,604 | $11,170 |
| Plumas | $664 | $1,469 | $2,711 | $4,529 | $7,207 |
| Riverside | $1,040 | $2,490 | $4,538 | $7,168 | $9,900 |
| Sacramento | $1,420 | $2,499 | $4,157 | $6,161 | $8,517 |
| San Benito | $2,002 | $3,936 | $6,715 | $9,242 | $11,353 |
| San Bernardino | $1,096 | $2,138 | $3,680 | $5,769 | $8,352 |
| San Diego | $1,723 | $3,323 | $5,807 | $9,028 | $13,508 |
| San Francisco | $2,243 | $4,871 | $9,489 | $15,780 | $24,149 |
| San Joaquin | $1,326 | $2,336 | $4,013 | $6,172 | $9,074 |
| San Luis Obispo | $1,646 | $3,220 | $5,465 | $8,158 | $11,172 |
| San Mateo | $3,009 | $5,386 | $9,758 | $16,107 | $25,649 |
| Santa Barbara | $1,524 | $2,864 | $5,164 | $9,008 | $16,140 |
| Santa Clara | $2,767 | $5,444 | $9,592 | $15,110 | $23,173 |
| Santa Cruz | $1,716 | $3,536 | $6,340 | $9,981 | $14,077 |
| Shasta | $870 | $1,592 | $2,659 | $3,927 | $5,419 |
| Sierra | $1,041 | $1,646 | $2,584 | $3,916 | $5,403 |
| Siskiyou | $373 | $774 | $1,569 | $2,690 | $3,948 |
| Solano | $1,876 | $3,025 | $4,831 | $6,915 | $9,217 |
| Sonoma | $1,577 | $3,344 | $5,647 | $8,375 | $11,626 |
| Stanislaus | $1,190 | $1,917 | $3,195 | $4,740 | $6,441 |
| Sutter | $967 | $1,809 | $3,092 | $4,570 | $6,102 |
| Tehama | $398 | $877 | $1,802 | $2,913 | $4,099 |
| Trinity | $564 | $1,056 | $1,878 | $2,961 | $4,316 |
| Tulare | $615 | $1,223 | $2,099 | $3,299 | $4,478 |
| Tuolumne | $245 | $1,017 | $2,430 | $3,809 | $5,286 |
| Ventura | $1,796 | $3,542 | $5,829 | $8,611 | $11,976 |
| Yolo | $1,365 | $2,707 | $4,966 | $7,802 | $10,633 |
| Yuba | $830 | $1,561 | $3,196 | $5,115 | $6,921 |
Source: Ownwell
$774
Average Annual Tax Savings
Save on Your Property Taxes and More With Ownwell
Want to lower your California property taxes?
How Can I Lower My Property Taxes in California?
Looking to reduce your California property taxes? Ownwell is the leading property tax appeal company in California. We specialize in helping California property owners lower their taxes by working directly with county appraisal districts across the state each year.
Through our tax monitoring service and proprietary software, we collect everything needed to maximize your tax reductions. We navigate the complexities of California property tax appeals and identify the primary exemptions so you don't have to.
Whether you're a homeowner, a real estate investor, or an asset manager, our local California team at Ownwell has the expertise to assess your current situation and identify strategic opportunities to reduce your tax burden.
By handling the appeal process from start to finish, we simplify the procedure and enhance your chances of a favorable outcome.
Property Tax Appeals in California
How Do I Appeal My Property Tax Assessment in California?
Homeowners in California who believe their property tax assessment is too high can appeal the decision through an informal and formal appeal process. California’s median property tax rate is 1.21%, compared with the national median property tax rate of 1.02%, and the median home price is $427,605.
Step 1 — Review your assessment notice: Each year, the county assessor mails a Notice of Assessed Value. Review this carefully for accuracy in square footage, property characteristics, and comparable sales used.
Step 2 — File an appeal: Submit a formal appeal to the county assessment authority by the deadline — typically the date shown on your notice. Include evidence such as recent comparable sales, a recent appraisal, or documentation of property condition issues.
Step 3 — Informal review: Most counties offer an informal meeting with an appraiser before the formal hearing. This is often where reductions are secured.
Step 4 — Formal hearing: If no agreement is reached, your case proceeds to the Assessment Appeals Board, an independent panel that hears evidence from both the homeowner and the assessment office.
California property tax bills can vary widely by county, with a median bill of $2,879 at the 25th percentile and $8,580 at the 75th percentile. The 90th percentile reaches $13,413, while Marin has the highest median tax bill at $11,574.00 and Modoc has the lowest at $1,019.00.
How does Ownwell help?
Ownwell handles every step of this process, from filing to the formal hearing, so you don't overpay. We make it easier to challenge an unfair property tax assessment and pursue a lower bill.
Exemptions in California
California property tax exemption programs can lower the assessed value of a home and help eligible owners reduce their tax bill, especially on a primary residence. The most common option is the Homeowners’ Exemption, which is available to homeowners who occupy the property as their principal residence. This exemption is designed for owner-occupied homes, so it is not meant for rental or second homes.
California also offers the Disabled Veterans’ Exemption for qualifying veterans, and the Disabled Veterans’ Exemption with a low-income component for eligible homeowners who meet the program requirements. These exemptions are separate from the Homeowners’ Exemption and are intended to provide additional relief to homeowners who qualify based on disability and service-related criteria.
Homeowners generally apply for exemptions through their county assessor’s office. The application process usually requires proof that the property is the homeowner’s primary residence, and some exemptions may require additional documentation depending on eligibility. Because exemption rules can vary by county, it is important to review the local filing instructions and submit the application on time.
Ownwell can help homeowners identify which California property tax exemptions they may qualify for, understand the filing requirements, and make sure they do not miss valuable primary residence savings.
Available Exemptions
Disabled
Home Stead
Solar/Wind
Non-Profit