Property Taxes in Bakersfield, California
Median Bakersfield, California effective property tax rate: 1.48%, significantly higher than the national median of 1.02%, and higher than the California state median of 1.21%.
Median Bakersfield, California home value: $249,383
Median annual Bakersfield, California tax bill: $3,625, $1,225 higher than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.
How are property taxes in Kern calculated?
Property taxes in Bakersfield, 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 Bakersfield's property tax system, exemptions, and reduction opportunities can lead to significant savings. Regardless of where you live in Bakersfield, knowing local tax details benefits homeowners and investors.
Last Updated April 13, 2026
How Does the Bakersfield Property Tax Calculator Work?
Use this Bakersfield property tax calculator to estimate your annual property tax bill. Enter your property's assessed value and our calculator applies Bakersfield's median effective tax rate of 1.48% — based on actual property records in Kern 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 Bakersfield'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 Bakersfield: median tax bills range from $2,362 in 93304 to $5,987 in 93314, primarily due to differences in school district levies and local assessment districts.
For a more precise estimate, scroll down to explore ZIP code-level tax rate trends across Bakersfield.
About Bakersfield Property Taxes
About Property Taxes in Bakersfield, Kern, California
Bakersfield’s median effective property tax rate of 1.48% is higher than the California state median of 1.21% and higher than the national median of 1.02%. This rate reflects the Kern 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 Bakersfield. Homeowners in the 93305 ZIP code carry a median effective rate of 1.79%, while those in 93314 pay 1.34%. This spread — 0.45 percentage points across the same city — reflects how school district boundaries and local assessment districts are drawn across Kern County. Understanding which part of Bakersfield you live in can make a meaningful difference to your annual tax bill.
Bakersfield homeowners who believe their assessed value is too high can file a formal appeal with the local Tax Assessor before the November 30, 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 Bakersfield, Kern 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 Bakersfield'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 Bakersfield Tax Rate
1.48%
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 Kern County Tax Rate
1.43%
Median Effective California Tax Rate
1.21%
Median Effective United States Tax Rate
1.27%
Property Tax Rates Across Bakersfield, Kern County, California
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Rate | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 93301 | 0.90% | 1.31% | 1.46% | 1.75% | 2.24% |
| 93304 | 1.37% | 1.47% | 1.63% | 1.87% | 2.32% |
| 93305 | 1.41% | 1.54% | 1.79% | 2.27% | 3.01% |
| 93306 | 1.21% | 1.35% | 1.49% | 1.70% | 2.07% |
| 93307 | 1.32% | 1.46% | 1.65% | 2.04% | 2.80% |
| 93308 | 1.15% | 1.37% | 1.60% | 1.95% | 2.57% |
| 93309 | 1.31% | 1.40% | 1.49% | 1.62% | 1.83% |
| 93311 | 1.25% | 1.32% | 1.38% | 1.46% | 1.55% |
| 93312 | 1.26% | 1.35% | 1.45% | 1.57% | 1.70% |
| 93313 | 1.28% | 1.35% | 1.41% | 1.51% | 1.63% |
| 93314 | 1.17% | 1.25% | 1.34% | 1.47% | 1.63% |
| 93380 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 93387 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Bakersfield, Kern County, California
When examining property taxes in Bakersfield, 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. Kern 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. 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 are sent in the spring each year and typically reach your mailbox by the middle of the month. 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.
For example, the median home price in Bakersfield is $249,383, with tax bills ranging significantly across the county. ZIP code 93314 has the highest median home price at $441,069 and the highest median tax bill at $5,987, while ZIP code 93304 has the lowest median tax bill at $2,362. Bakersfield’s median tax bill of $3,625 is above the national median property tax bill of $2,400 and reflects a local burden above the national median property tax rate of 1.02%.
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Bakersfield, Kern County, California
Source: Ownwell
$32,172
$245,261
$458,349
Median Bakersfield Market Value
$249,383
Median Kern County Market Value
$219,332
Median California Market Value
$427,605
Median United States Market Value
$274,101
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Bakersfield, Kern County, California
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Home Price | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 93301 | $47,739 | $80,080 | $166,428 | $277,665 | $401,699 |
| 93304 | $61,561 | $97,930 | $144,476 | $212,241 | $288,000 |
| 93305 | $52,890 | $84,762 | $139,264 | $212,284 | $290,000 |
| 93306 | $81,566 | $135,000 | $217,521 | $317,918 | $415,000 |
| 93307 | $50,229 | $95,240 | $156,672 | $244,337 | $327,420 |
| 93308 | $64,045 | $120,520 | $208,080 | $305,836 | $410,942 |
| 93309 | $93,514 | $144,999 | $210,673 | $296,915 | $395,831 |
| 93311 | $211,382 | $278,762 | $365,166 | $477,542 | $632,360 |
| 93312 | $194,144 | $257,001 | $335,402 | $427,238 | $524,289 |
| 93313 | $158,133 | $212,718 | $289,613 | $368,117 | $440,328 |
| 93314 | $239,418 | $337,036 | $441,069 | $556,410 | $709,378 |
| 93380 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 93387 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Bills Across Bakersfield, Kern County, California
Property tax bills in Bakersfield are based on the assessed value of a home, which is tied to the market value of the property and local tax rates. For homeowners, the bill is determined by multiplying the assessed value by the applicable tax rate, then adding any voter-approved charges or special assessments that apply in Kern County.
With a median home price of $249,383, many Bakersfield homeowners see tax bills that vary widely depending on neighborhood and property characteristics. The 25th percentile tax bill is $2,443, while the 75th percentile reaches $4,997. At the high end, the 90th percentile tax bill is $6,494, showing how quickly costs can rise for higher-valued homes.
These bills can have a meaningful impact on household budgets, especially when the tax bill is above the national median property tax bill of $2,400. In Bakersfield, homeowners in ZIP code 93314 face the highest median tax bill at $5,987, while ZIP code 93304 has the lowest median tax bill at $2,362.
Median Bakersfield Tax Bill
$3,625
Median Kern County Tax Bill
$3,124
Median California Tax Bill
$5,134
Median United States Tax Bill
$3,209
Property Tax Bills Across Bakersfield, Kern County, California
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Bill | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 93301 | $415 | $1,461 | $2,626 | $3,970 | $5,474 |
| 93304 | $1,348 | $1,795 | $2,362 | $3,168 | $4,084 |
| 93305 | $1,395 | $1,813 | $2,467 | $3,361 | $4,397 |
| 93306 | $1,585 | $2,241 | $3,189 | $4,371 | $5,535 |
| 93307 | $1,271 | $1,835 | $2,552 | $3,633 | $4,609 |
| 93308 | $1,617 | $2,333 | $3,327 | $4,442 | $5,633 |
| 93309 | $1,614 | $2,299 | $3,097 | $4,121 | $5,431 |
| 93311 | $3,021 | $3,914 | $4,923 | $6,259 | $8,078 |
| 93312 | $2,993 | $3,875 | $4,878 | $5,971 | $7,108 |
| 93313 | $2,469 | $3,112 | $4,023 | $4,899 | $5,763 |
| 93314 | $3,091 | $4,674 | $5,987 | $7,275 | $8,995 |
| 93380 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 93387 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Source: Ownwell
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 | |
|---|---|
| Kern Tax Assessor | |
| Website | www.kerncounty.com |