Berkeley, Alameda County, California Property Taxes
Property Taxes in Berkeley, California
Median Berkeley, California effective property tax rate: 1.78%, significantly higher than the national median of 1.02%, and higher than the California state median of 1.21%.
Median Berkeley, California home value: $625,923
Median annual Berkeley, California tax bill: $11,336, $8,936 higher than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.
How are property taxes in Alameda County calculated?
Property taxes in Berkeley, 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 Berkeley's property tax system, exemptions, and reduction opportunities can lead to significant savings. Regardless of where you live in Berkeley, knowing local tax details benefits homeowners and investors.
Last Updated April 13, 2026
Berkeley, Alameda County, California Property Tax Bill Calculator
$100,000
$1,500,000
$3,000,000
Median Effective Tax Rate
1.78%
Estimate Property Tax Bill
$11,141
$10,339
$774
Average Annual Tax Savings
How Does the Berkeley Property Tax Calculator Work?
Use this Berkeley property tax calculator to estimate your annual tax bill. Enter your property's assessed value and our calculator applies Berkeley's median effective tax rate of 1.78% — based on actual property records in Alameda County — to generate your estimate.
Enter your property's estimated assessed value — the figure the local assessment system uses to calculate your bill, which reflects any exemptions you hold and is typically lower than your home's market value. Our calculator applies Berkeley's median effective rate across all local levies, providing a more accurate estimate than applying a single county rate.
Your bill may vary by ZIP code within Berkeley: rates range from $8,537 in 94710 to $14,091 in 94705, primarily due to differences in school district levies and local assessment districts.
Berkeley's median tax rate is higher than the 1.21% state median, and the median tax bill of $11,336 is higher than the national median property tax bill of $2,400. If your estimate is higher than expected, Ownwell can appeal your Berkeley assessment — you only pay if we save you money.
About Berkeley Property Taxes
About Property Taxes in Berkeley, Alameda, California
Berkeley’s median effective property tax rate of 1.78% is higher than the California state median of 1.21% and higher than the national median of 1.02%. This rate reflects the Alameda County base levy combined with local school district levies and Mello-Roos Community Facility Districts that vary by subdivision throughout the city.
Property tax rates are not uniform across Berkeley. Homeowners in the 94703 ZIP code carry a median effective rate of 1.93%, while those in 94705 pay 1.66%. This spread — 0.27 percentage points across the same city — reflects how school district boundaries and local assessment districts are drawn across Alameda County. Understanding which part of Berkeley you live in can make a meaningful difference to your annual tax bill.
Berkeley homeowners who believe their assessed value is too high can file a formal appeal with the local Tax Assessor before the September 15, 2026 deadline each year.
If your estimated bill above seems higher than expected, Ownwell can review your assessment and protest on your behalf. You only pay if we save you money.
Property Tax Rates Across Berkeley, Alameda County, California
As noted earlier, local government entities set tax rates, which can vary widely within a state.
Why? Because annually, each county estimates its required budget to provide services and divides that by the total value of all taxable property within its jurisdiction. This calculation results in the property tax rate.
While there are votes and laws involved in setting tax rates and budgets, in a nutshell, this is the annual process.
Below, you can compare Berkeley's effective property tax rate to other cities in California and the median property tax rates in California and the U.S.
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 Berkeley Tax Rate
1.78%
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 Alameda County Tax Rate
1.42%
Median Effective California Tax Rate
1.21%
Median Effective United States Tax Rate
1.02%
Property Tax Rates Across Berkeley, Alameda County, California
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Rate | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 94702 | 1.44% | 1.53% | 1.78% | 2.59% | 5.72% |
| 94703 | 1.45% | 1.57% | 1.93% | 2.78% | 5.70% |
| 94704 | 1.43% | 1.50% | 1.68% | 2.21% | 3.17% |
| 94705 | 1.39% | 1.46% | 1.66% | 2.29% | 4.34% |
| 94707 | 1.44% | 1.53% | 1.84% | 2.56% | 5.18% |
| 94708 | 1.44% | 1.52% | 1.73% | 2.38% | 4.56% |
| 94709 | 1.44% | 1.52% | 1.79% | 2.39% | 4.25% |
| 94710 | 1.44% | 1.54% | 1.82% | 2.48% | 4.68% |
| 94706 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 94720 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Source: Ownwell
$774
Average Annual Tax Savings
Save on Your Property Taxes and More With Ownwell
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Berkeley, Alameda County, California
When examining property taxes in Berkeley, California, understanding the distinction between market value and assessed value is crucial.
The market value is what a willing buyer would pay to a willing seller in an open and competitive market, often influenced by location, property condition, and economic market trends. The Alameda County appraisal district estimates the market value for tax purposes.
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.
Assessment notices:
In Alameda County, assessment notices are sent in the spring each year. They'll typically reach your mailbox by the middle of August.
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. Berkeley’s median home price is $625,923, with tax bills ranging significantly across the county. Zip code 94708 has the highest median home price at $808,408.
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Berkeley, Alameda County, California
Source: Ownwell
$197,307
$1,084,889
$1,972,470
Median Berkeley Market Value
$625,923
Median Alameda County Market Value
$564,082
Median California Market Value
$427,605
Median United States Market Value
$235,294
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Berkeley, Alameda County, California
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Home Price | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 94702 | $79,985 | $235,080 | $533,086 | $921,120 | $1,287,819 |
| 94703 | $87,031 | $238,062 | $497,730 | $936,777 | $1,385,763 |
| 94704 | $155,098 | $329,648 | $627,913 | $1,050,095 | $1,634,205 |
| 94705 | $151,436 | $366,958 | $803,242 | $1,499,650 | $2,209,175 |
| 94707 | $116,766 | $323,762 | $710,494 | $1,280,534 | $1,800,229 |
| 94708 | $136,973 | $373,660 | $808,408 | $1,326,510 | $1,794,458 |
| 94709 | $129,092 | $304,759 | $583,660 | $989,976 | $1,507,187 |
| 94710 | $106,896 | $248,359 | $448,680 | $861,277 | $1,271,319 |
| 94706 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 94720 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Source: Ownwell
$774
Average Annual Tax Savings
Save on Your Property Taxes and More With Ownwell
Property Tax Bills Across Berkeley, Alameda County, California
Property tax bills in Berkeley are based on the assessed value of a home, which is then multiplied by the local tax rate. Because the median home price is $625,923, many homeowners face substantial annual bills, especially when market values rise. The amount you owe can also vary by neighborhood and zip code, with the highest median tax bill at $14,091 in 94705 and the lowest median tax bill at $8,537 in 94710. For many homeowners, that means a bill far above the national median property tax bill of $2,400.
Your property tax bill is determined by the home’s assessed value, local tax rules, and any exemptions you qualify for. If your assessment is too high, you could be paying more than necessary.
Ownwell helps homeowners review their assessments, identify savings opportunities, and appeal unfair property taxes. By finding errors and pursuing exemptions, Ownwell can help reduce your property tax bill and keep more money in your pocket.
Median Berkeley Tax Bill
$11,336
Median Alameda County Tax Bill
$8,209
Median California Tax Bill
$5,134
Median United States Tax Bill
$2,400
Property Tax Bills Across Berkeley, Alameda County, California
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Bill | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 94702 | $4,355 | $6,154 | $9,596 | $14,315 | $19,185 |
| 94703 | $4,648 | $6,580 | $9,792 | $15,122 | $20,777 |
| 94704 | $4,859 | $7,297 | $11,099 | $17,127 | $25,412 |
| 94705 | $6,015 | $8,637 | $14,091 | $22,525 | $32,224 |
| 94707 | $5,955 | $8,342 | $13,117 | $19,894 | $26,688 |
| 94708 | $6,211 | $8,871 | $13,950 | $20,549 | $26,750 |
| 94709 | $4,978 | $7,301 | $10,703 | $16,001 | $22,935 |
| 94710 | $4,441 | $5,601 | $8,537 | $13,866 | $18,784 |
| 94706 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 94720 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Source: Ownwell
$774
Average Annual Tax Savings
Save on Your Property Taxes and More With Ownwell
Don't miss the deadline to appeal!
Dates | |
|---|---|
| Property Valuation Date | January 1 |
| Appeal Deadline | September 15 |
| Tax Bill | |
| Issued | October 1 |
| Due Date #1 | December 10 |
| Due Date #2 | April 10 |
Links | |
|---|---|
| Alameda Tax Assessor | |
| Phone | (510) 272-3787 |
| Website | propinfo.acgov.org |
| AssessorWebResponse@acgov.org | |