Property Taxes in Santa Monica, California
Median Santa Monica, California effective property tax rate: 1.23%, significantly higher than the national median of 1.02%, and higher than the California state median of 1.21%.
Median Santa Monica, California home value: $928,266
Median annual Santa Monica, California tax bill: $11,393, $8,993 higher than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.
How are property taxes in Los Angeles calculated?
Property taxes in Santa Monica, 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 Santa Monica's property tax system, exemptions, and reduction opportunities can lead to significant savings. Regardless of where you live in Santa Monica, knowing local tax details benefits homeowners and investors.
Last Updated April 13, 2026
How Does the Santa Monica Property Tax Calculator Work?
Use this Santa Monica property tax calculator to estimate your annual tax bill. Enter your property's assessed value and our calculator applies Santa Monica's median effective tax rate of 1.23% — based on actual property records in Los Angeles 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 Santa Monica'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 Santa Monica: rates range from $8,496.00 in 90404 to $23,146.00 in 90402, primarily due to differences in school district levies and local assessment districts.
If your estimate is higher than expected, Ownwell can appeal your Santa Monica assessment — you only pay if we save you money.
About Santa Monica Property Taxes
About Property Taxes in Santa Monica, Los Angeles, California
Santa Monica’s median effective property tax rate of 1.23% is higher than the California state median of 1.21% and higher than the national median of 1.02%. This rate reflects the Los Angeles 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 Santa Monica. Homeowners in the 90404 ZIP code carry a median effective rate of 1.25%, while those in 90402 pay 1.21%. This spread — 0.04 percentage points across the same city — reflects how school district boundaries and local assessment districts are drawn across Los Angeles County. Understanding which part of Santa Monica you live in can make a meaningful difference to your annual tax bill.
Santa Monica 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 Santa Monica, Los Angeles 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 Santa Monica'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 Santa Monica, Los Angeles County, California
Source: Ownwell
1.10%
1.52%
1.95%
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 Santa Monica Tax Rate
1.23%
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 Los Angeles County Tax Rate
1.29%
Median Effective California Tax Rate
1.21%
Median Effective United States Tax Rate
1.27%
Property Tax Rates Across Santa Monica, Los Angeles County, California
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Rate | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 90401 | 1.19% | 1.21% | 1.24% | 1.30% | 1.41% |
| 90402 | 1.17% | 1.18% | 1.21% | 1.24% | 1.34% |
| 90403 | 1.19% | 1.20% | 1.23% | 1.30% | 1.45% |
| 90404 | 1.21% | 1.22% | 1.25% | 1.33% | 1.49% |
| 90405 | 1.19% | 1.21% | 1.24% | 1.33% | 1.62% |
Source: Ownwell
Save on Your Property Taxes and More With Ownwell
$774
Average Annual Tax Savings
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Santa Monica, Los Angeles County, California
When examining property taxes in Santa Monica, 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 Los Angeles County assessor 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 Los Angeles County, assessment notices are sent in the spring each year. They'll typically reach your mailbox by the middle of October.
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. The median home price in Santa Monica is $928,266, with tax bills ranging significantly across the county. 90402 has the highest median home price at $1,928,417.
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Santa Monica, Los Angeles County, California
Source: Ownwell
$56,016
$1,480,655
$2,905,294
Median Santa Monica Market Value
$928,266
Median Los Angeles County Market Value
$457,139
Median California Market Value
$427,605
Median United States Market Value
$274,101
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Santa Monica, Los Angeles County, California
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Home Price | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 90401 | $272,840 | $459,524 | $776,869 | $1,232,052 | $2,576,165 |
| 90402 | $354,929 | $866,321 | $1,928,417 | $3,715,269 | $5,593,145 |
| 90403 | $236,294 | $476,542 | $865,601 | $1,494,198 | $2,290,752 |
| 90404 | $220,485 | $409,953 | $685,815 | $1,073,120 | $1,541,547 |
| 90405 | $165,950 | $436,396 | $830,663 | $1,530,000 | $2,240,004 |
Source: Ownwell
Save on Your Property Taxes and More With Ownwell
$774
Average Annual Tax Savings
Property Tax Bills Across Santa Monica, Los Angeles County, California
Property tax bills in Santa Monica are based on the assessed value of a home, not its market price alone, and the amount can vary widely by neighborhood and parcel. With a median home price of $928,266, homeowners often face substantial bills, especially when assessed values rise over time. The typical tax bill in the city ranges from $6,286 at the 25th percentile to $20,853 at the 75th percentile, with the 90th percentile reaching $36,405. That is far above the national median property tax rate of 1.02% and the national median property tax bill of $2,400, which can make ownership costs feel especially heavy.
What you pay depends on the assessed value, local tax rates, and any exemptions you qualify for. In Santa Monica, the median tax bill is highest in 90402 at $23,146 and lowest in 90404 at $8,496.
Ownwell helps homeowners challenge inaccurate assessments and find savings through property tax appeals and exemptions, which can lower future bills and reduce the burden of owning a home in Los Angeles County.
Property Tax Bills Across Santa Monica, Los Angeles County, California
Source: Ownwell
$875
$17,017
$33,158
Median Santa Monica Tax Bill
$11,393
Median Los Angeles County Tax Bill
$5,993
Median California Tax Bill
$5,134
Median United States Tax Bill
$3,209
Property Tax Bills Across Santa Monica, Los Angeles County, California
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Bill | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 90401 | $3,796 | $5,916 | $9,653 | $14,854 | $30,371 |
| 90402 | $4,880 | $10,786 | $23,146 | $43,902 | $65,791 |
| 90403 | $3,486 | $6,184 | $10,717 | $17,965 | $27,381 |
| 90404 | $2,828 | $5,330 | $8,496 | $13,070 | $18,391 |
| 90405 | $2,758 | $5,783 | $10,321 | $18,466 | $26,660 |
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 | |
|---|---|
| Los Angeles Tax Assessor | |
| Phone | (213) 974-3211 |
| Website | portal.assessor.lacounty.gov |
| pio@assessor.lacounty.gov | |