Property Taxes in Walnut Creek, California
Median Walnut Creek, California effective property tax rate: 1.21%, significantly higher than the national median of 1.02%, and higher than the California state median of 1.21%.
Median Walnut Creek, California home value: $599,872
Median annual Walnut Creek, California tax bill: $7,110, $4,710 higher than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.
How are property taxes in Contra Costa calculated?
Property taxes in Walnut Creek, 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 Walnut Creek's property tax system, exemptions, and reduction opportunities can lead to significant savings. Regardless of where you live in Walnut Creek, knowing local tax details benefits homeowners and investors.
Last Updated April 13, 2026
How Does the Walnut Creek Property Tax Calculator Work?
Use this Walnut Creek property tax calculator to estimate your annual tax bill. Enter your property's assessed value and our calculator applies Walnut Creek's median effective tax rate of 1.21% — based on actual property records in Contra Costa County — to generate your estimate.
Enter your property's estimated assessed value — the figure the local appraisal district uses to calculate your bill, which reflects any exemptions you hold and is typically lower than your home's market value. Our calculator applies Walnut Creek's median effective rate across all local levies, providing a more accurate estimate than applying a single county millage rate.
Your bill may vary by ZIP code within Walnut Creek: rates range from $7,376 in 94597 to $8,696 in 94598, primarily due to differences in school district levies and local assessment districts.
If your estimate is higher than expected, Ownwell can appeal your Walnut Creek assessment — you only pay if we save you money.
About Walnut Creek Property Taxes
About Property Taxes in Walnut Creek, Contra Costa, California
Walnut Creek’s median effective property tax rate of 1.21% is higher than the California state median of 1.21% and higher than the national median of 1.02%. This rate reflects the Contra Costa 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 Walnut Creek. Homeowners in the 94596 ZIP code carry a median effective rate of 1.25%, while those in 94598 pay 1.19%. This spread — 0.06 percentage points across the same city — reflects how school district boundaries and local assessment districts are drawn across Contra Costa County. Understanding which part of Walnut Creek you live in can make a meaningful difference to your annual tax bill.
Walnut Creek homeowners who believe their assessed value is too high can file a formal appeal with the local Tax Assessor before the December 1, 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 Walnut Creek, Contra Costa 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 Walnut Creek's effective property tax rate to other cities in California and the median property tax rates in California and the U.S.
Property Tax Rates Across Walnut Creek, Contra Costa County, California
Source: Ownwell
1.05%
1.46%
1.87%
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 Walnut Creek 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 Contra Costa County Tax Rate
1.31%
Median Effective California Tax Rate
1.21%
Median Effective United States Tax Rate
1.27%
Property Tax Rates Across Walnut Creek, Contra Costa County, California
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Rate | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 94596 | 1.14% | 1.18% | 1.25% | 1.38% | 1.63% |
| 94597 | 1.15% | 1.18% | 1.25% | 1.35% | 1.56% |
| 94598 | 1.13% | 1.15% | 1.19% | 1.27% | 1.49% |
| 94595 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Source: Ownwell
Save on Your Property Taxes and More With Ownwell
$774
Average Annual Tax Savings
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Walnut Creek, Contra Costa County, California
When examining property taxes in Walnut Creek, 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 shaped by location, property condition, and broader market trends. Contra Costa County 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. This is the figure used to calculate your property taxes, or the amount multiplied by your tax rate to determine your tax bill.
Assessment notices are sent in the spring each year and typically reach mailboxes by October. Each property owner receives a notice showing both market value and assessed value, along with an estimate of the property tax bill.
Walnut Creek’s median home price is $599,872, with median tax bills at $7,110, well above the national median property tax bill of $2,400. Tax bills vary across the county, with the highest median home price in 94598 at $749,040.
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Walnut Creek, Contra Costa County, California
Source: Ownwell
$153,114
$1,176,704
$2,200,294
Median Walnut Creek Market Value
$599,872
Median Contra Costa County Market Value
$530,390
Median California Market Value
$427,605
Median United States Market Value
$274,101
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Walnut Creek, Contra Costa County, California
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Home Price | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 94596 | $183,536 | $348,325 | $603,548 | $1,069,672 | $1,553,983 |
| 94597 | $204,007 | $377,089 | $609,302 | $930,428 | $1,232,257 |
| 94598 | $194,701 | $422,646 | $749,040 | $1,139,058 | $1,550,000 |
| 94595 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Source: Ownwell
Save on Your Property Taxes and More With Ownwell
$774
Average Annual Tax Savings
Property Tax Bills Across Walnut Creek, Contra Costa County, California
Property tax bills in Walnut Creek are based on the assessed value of a home and the local tax rate set by Contra Costa County and other taxing authorities. For a home with a median price of $599,872, the bill can vary widely depending on location, exemptions, and whether the assessed value reflects current market conditions. Homeowners in Walnut Creek often see bills that are much higher than the national median property tax bill of $2,400, which can make taxes a major part of annual housing costs.
The tax bill is determined by multiplying the assessed value by the applicable tax rate, then adding any local assessments or special charges. That means two similar homes can have very different bills if their assessed values differ. In Walnut Creek, the 25th percentile tax bill is $3,848, while the 75th percentile is $11,427.
Ownwell helps homeowners lower their property tax bills by reviewing assessments, identifying savings opportunities, and filing appeals when a home is overassessed.
Property Tax Bills Across Walnut Creek, Contra Costa County, California
Source: Ownwell
$3,003
$13,751
$24,499
Median Walnut Creek Tax Bill
$7,110
Median Contra Costa County Tax Bill
$6,979
Median California Tax Bill
$5,134
Median United States Tax Bill
$3,209
Property Tax Bills Across Walnut Creek, Contra Costa County, California
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Bill | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 94596 | $2,902 | $4,719 | $7,408 | $12,439 | $17,463 |
| 94597 | $3,024 | $4,906 | $7,376 | $10,833 | $14,231 |
| 94598 | $2,789 | $5,218 | $8,696 | $12,877 | $17,265 |
| 94595 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Source: Ownwell
Save on Your Property Taxes and More With Ownwell
$774
Average Annual Tax Savings
Don't miss the deadline to appeal!
Dates | |
|---|---|
| Property Valuation Date | January 1 |
| Appeal Deadline | November 30 |
| Tax Bill | |
| Issued | October 1 |
| Due Date #1 | December 10 |
| Due Date #2 | April 10 |
Links | |
|---|---|
| Contra Costa Tax Assessor | |
| Website | www.contracosta.ca.gov |