Property Taxes in Saratoga, California
Median Saratoga, 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 Saratoga, California home value: $1,646,919
Median annual Saratoga, California tax bill: $20,127, $17,727 higher than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.
How are property taxes in Santa Clara calculated?
Property taxes in Saratoga, 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 Saratoga's property tax system, exemptions, and reduction opportunities can lead to significant savings. Regardless of where you live in Saratoga, knowing local tax details benefits homeowners and investors.
Last Updated April 13, 2026
How Does the Saratoga Property Tax Calculator Work?
Use this Saratoga property tax calculator to estimate your annual tax bill. Enter your property's assessed value and our calculator applies Saratoga's median effective tax rate of 1.23% — based on actual property records in Santa Clara County — to generate your estimate.
Enter your property's estimated assessed value — the figure the local assessment office uses to calculate your bill, which reflects any exemptions you hold and is typically lower than your home's market value. Our calculator applies Saratoga'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 Saratoga: rates range from 1.23% in 95070 to 1.23% in 95070, primarily due to differences in school district levies and local assessment districts.
If your estimate is higher than expected, Ownwell can appeal your Saratoga assessment — you only pay if we save you money.
About Saratoga Property Taxes
About Property Taxes in Saratoga, Santa Clara, California
Saratoga’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 Santa Clara 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 Saratoga. Homeowners in ZIP code 95070 carry a median effective rate of 1.23%, and the same ZIP also reflects the city’s median tax bill of $20,127. That consistency shows how local boundaries can shape what homeowners pay, even within a single market.
Saratoga homeowners who believe their assessed value is too high can file a formal appeal with the Tax Assessor before the September 15, 2026 deadline each year.
If your estimated bill 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 Saratoga, Santa Clara 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 Saratoga'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 Saratoga 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 Santa Clara County Tax Rate
1.31%
Median Effective California Tax Rate
1.21%
Median Effective United States Tax Rate
1.27%
Property Tax Rates Across Saratoga, Santa Clara County, California
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Rate | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 95070 | 1.18% | 1.20% | 1.23% | 1.30% | 1.51% |
Source: Ownwell
Save on Your Property Taxes and More With Ownwell
$774
Average Annual Tax Savings
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Saratoga, Santa Clara County, California
When examining property taxes in Saratoga, 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 Santa Clara 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 Santa Clara 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. The median home price in Saratoga is $1,646,919, with tax bills ranging significantly across the county. Zip code 95070 has the highest median home price at $1,646,919.
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Saratoga, Santa Clara County, California
Source: Ownwell
$248,609
$1,619,295
$2,989,980
Median Saratoga Market Value
$1,646,919
Median Santa Clara County Market Value
$717,300
Median California Market Value
$427,605
Median United States Market Value
$274,101
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Saratoga, Santa Clara County, California
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Home Price | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 95070 | $283,032 | $821,558 | $1,646,919 | $2,675,758 | $3,806,378 |
Source: Ownwell
Save on Your Property Taxes and More With Ownwell
$774
Average Annual Tax Savings
Property Tax Bills Across Saratoga, Santa Clara County, California
Property tax bills in Saratoga are based on the assessed value of a home, which is influenced by market conditions and local tax rates. With a median home price of $1,646,919, many homeowners face bills that can be substantial, especially when compared with the national median property tax bill of $2,400 and national median property tax rate of 1.02%. The amount owed can vary widely, with the 25th percentile at $10,415, the 75th percentile at $32,105, and the 90th percentile at $45,239.
What affects a property tax bill in Saratoga? Home value, assessed value, and the tax rate all play a role. Higher assessed values usually mean higher bills, which can put pressure on homeowners over time.
Ownwell helps homeowners lower their property tax bills by reviewing assessments and identifying opportunities to appeal overvalued assessments, helping ensure they do not pay more than they should.
Property Tax Bills Across Saratoga, Santa Clara County, California
Source: Ownwell
$2,906
$19,795
$36,683
Median Saratoga Tax Bill
$20,127
Median Santa Clara County Tax Bill
$9,592
Median California Tax Bill
$5,134
Median United States Tax Bill
$3,209
Property Tax Bills Across Saratoga, Santa Clara County, California
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Bill | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 95070 | $3,968 | $10,416 | $20,129 | $32,110 | $45,240 |
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 | September 15 |
| Tax Bill | |
| Issued | October 1 |
| Due Date #1 | December 10 |
| Due Date #2 | April 10 |
Links | |
|---|---|
| Santa Clara Tax Assessor | |
| Phone | (408) 299-5372 |
| Website | asr.santaclaracounty.gov |
| dawn.cieslik@asr.sccgov.org | |