PropertyTaxAtlas

California property taxes by county

Statewide effective rate 0.697% · national rank #35 of 51 (1 = highest) · 58 county-equivalents · U.S. Census ACS 2020–2024 5-year

Across California, the median owner-occupied home pays $5,124 a year in real-estate taxes on a median home value of $734,700 — an effective property-tax rate of 0.697%. That ranks California #35 of 51 states and the District of Columbia (1 = highest). This page carries all 58 California county-equivalents in the Census data — 58 with a published effective rate — sortable by rate, taxes paid, home value, income, or five-year change. 28 of them also carry a full detail card here — every median with its Census margin of error, both rankings, the six nearest counties, and the five-year change. It also sets out how property tax actually works in California: how property is assessed, which exemptions exist and who qualifies, the deadline and body for an appeal, and the payment schedule and penalties — each hand-sourced from official California sources. Figures are U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates.

Statewide figures California · ACS 2020–2024 5-year
Effective tax rate
0.697%

Median real-estate taxes ÷ median home value — a ratio of two independently-estimated medians, not a statutory (millage) rate.

Median real-estate taxes
$5,124 ± $17
Median home value
$734,700
Median household income
$99,122
National rank
#35 of 51
County-equivalents
58

How property tax varies across California

Across California's 58 county-equivalents with a published rate, the effective property-tax rate runs from 0.882% in Kern County down to 0.579% in Trinity County — a 1.5× spread inside a single state, which is why a statewide average tells a buyer very little.

The largest median real-estate tax bill in California is $10,001 in Santa Clara County, which ranks #42 of 58 by RATE — while the state's highest rate, 0.882%, is in Kern County, where the median bill is $2,984. Dollars and rate are different questions and rank counties differently.

Measured against the national median effective rate of 0.937%, 0 of California's 58 ranked counties sit above it and 58 below. California as a whole ranks #35 of 51 (1 = highest).

Median home value statewide is $734,700, but within California it ranges from $1,559,600 in San Mateo County to $224,700 in Modoc County — the denominator of the effective rate, and the main reason two counties with similar bills can show very different rates.

Statewide, the median real-estate tax bill equals about 5.2% of median household income. That share is heaviest in San Francisco County (7.0%) and lightest in Modoc County (2.6%).

Comparing the non-overlapping Census periods 2015–2019 and 2020–2024, median real-estate taxes rose by a statistically significant amount in 56 of California's 56 counties with a comparable trend, fell significantly in 0, and showed no statistically significant change in 0.

Estimate a California property tax bill

California property-tax estimator

Estimated annual property tax: $2,999

Kern County, CA effective rate 0.882% × home value $340,000

See full Kern County property-tax data →

A median-based estimate, not a bill: home value × the county effective rate. It cannot know your exemptions, assessment ratio, special districts, or homestead caps.

A median-based estimate, not a quote, an assessment, or a tax bill — it cannot know your assessed value, exemptions, or special districts. How this is computed.

Every California county

All 58 California county-equivalents in the Census data (58 with a published effective rate). Click a column heading to sort. Counties in bold have a full detail card further down this page — margins of error, nearby counties, and their five-year trend.

California county-equivalents by effective property-tax rate (highest first). Median taxes, home value and income are U.S. Census ACS 2020–2024 5-year estimates; the five-year change compares the non-overlapping 2015–2019 and 2020–2024 periods.
Kern County 0.882% $2,984 $3,344 $2,348 $338,300 $70,210 4.3% #1 #1392 +38.2%
Placer County 0.845% $5,812 $6,127 $4,929 $688,100 $115,998 5.0% #2 #1474 +33.5%
Contra Costa County 0.826% $7,156 $7,929 $5,348 $866,800 $127,229 5.6% #3 #1519 +33.4%
San Benito County 0.812% $6,441 $7,001 $3,890 $793,400 $114,394 5.6% #4 #1552 +43.7%
Riverside County 0.780% $4,348 $4,747 $3,347 $557,300 $93,074 4.7% #5 #1641 +30.3%
Alameda County 0.777% $8,474 $9,509 $5,954 $1,090,100 $129,367 6.5% #6 #1652 +41.5%
Imperial County 0.773% $2,394 $2,848 $1,647 $309,600 $57,681 4.2% #7 #1661 +36.9%
Alpine County 0.768% $4,530 $4,616 $4,050 $590,200 $105,521 4.3% #8 #1683 +60%
Yolo County 0.765% $4,749 $5,322 $3,854 $620,700 $91,752 5.2% #9 #1689 +30.8%
Nevada County 0.755% $4,694 $4,994 $4,015 $621,800 $89,882 5.2% #10 #1712 +39.6%
Sutter County 0.754% $3,268 $3,535 $2,610 $433,500 $79,704 4.1% #11 #1716 +32.1%
Kings County 0.748% $2,425 $2,668 $1,892 $324,300 $70,995 3.4% #13 #1734 +42.6%
Solano County 0.748% $4,621 $4,986 $3,608 $617,700 $100,401 4.6% #12 #1733 +36.7%
San Joaquin County 0.746% $3,960 $4,351 $3,017 $530,700 $92,179 4.3% #14 #1739 +38.5%
Yuba County 0.745% $3,071 $3,513 $2,086 $412,300 $76,373 4.0% #15 #1746 +44.9%
Inyo County 0.739% $2,576 $2,986 $2,071 $348,700 $73,991 3.5% #16 #1758 +26%
Fresno County 0.736% $2,861 $3,138 $2,312 $388,800 $74,201 3.9% #17 #1767 +36.4%
Sacramento County 0.734% $3,921 $4,251 $3,049 $534,200 $92,175 4.3% #18 #1773 +37%
Lake County 0.730% $2,369 $2,873 $1,758 $324,300 $60,621 3.9% #19 #1789 +37.5%
Calaveras County 0.726% $3,319 $3,569 $2,890 $457,200 $78,647 4.2% #20 #1805 +31.3%
Lassen County 0.725% $1,923 $2,280 $1,559 $265,300 $67,403 2.9% #21 #1811 +28.8%
Stanislaus County 0.715% $3,216 $3,551 $2,385 $450,100 $81,468 4.0% #22 #1835 +42.3%
San Francisco County 0.707% $9,862 $10,001 $5,996 $1,394,500 $140,970 7.0% #23 #1866 +40.9%
Amador County 0.705% $3,172 $3,348 $2,970 $449,800 $88,044 3.6% #24 #1872 +36.5%
Plumas County 0.704% $2,537 $2,702 $2,296 $360,200 $66,031 3.8% #25 #1879 +54.4%
Tulare County 0.702% $2,318 $2,594 $1,750 $330,100 $71,300 3.3% #26 #1885 +46.8%
Madera County 0.701% $2,756 $2,960 $2,362 $393,200 $76,627 3.6% #27 #1890 +46.4%
San Bernardino County 0.701% $3,538 $3,904 $2,600 $505,000 $85,478 4.1% #28 #1891 +35.3%
El Dorado County 0.699% $4,753 $5,194 $3,687 $679,900 $108,845 4.4% #29 #1897 +36.8%
Sonoma County 0.698% $5,695 $6,174 $4,519 $815,500 $104,674 5.4% #30 #1901 +33.9%
Butte County 0.695% $2,951 $3,376 $2,285 $424,700 $67,928 4.3% #31 #1909 +52%
Modoc County 0.695% $1,561 $1,945 $1,380 $224,700 $59,455 2.6% #32 #1910 +25.3%
Shasta County 0.694% $2,542 $2,757 $2,033 $366,400 $72,636 3.5% #33 #1914 +31.1%
Mendocino County 0.692% $3,545 $4,118 $2,825 $512,200 $68,092 5.2% #34 #1919 +36.5%
Napa County 0.689% $5,995 $6,910 $4,076 $869,500 $111,471 5.4% #35 #1929 +36.6%
Sierra County 0.687% $2,279 $2,786 $2,020 $331,900 $63,355 3.6% #36 #1936 +34.4%
San Luis Obispo County 0.683% $5,636 $6,068 $4,566 $824,700 $97,446 5.8% #37 #1947 +38.2%
Los Angeles County 0.680% $5,675 $6,358 $4,169 $834,200 $90,112 6.3% #38 #1955 +36.4%
Ventura County 0.678% $5,574 $6,174 $4,040 $822,700 $109,797 5.1% #39 #1967 +30.5%
San Diego County 0.676% $5,774 $6,375 $4,129 $854,700 $106,268 5.4% #40 #1976 +40.5%
Merced County 0.672% $2,634 $2,953 $1,983 $391,800 $65,510 4.0% #41 #1991 +46.6%
Santa Clara County 0.671% $10,001 $10,001 $6,633 $1,490,600 $164,281 6.1% #42 #1997 —
Marin County 0.664% $10,001 $10,001 $7,650 $1,507,300 $149,091 6.7% #43 #2026 —
Tuolumne County 0.661% $2,864 $3,071 $2,567 $433,200 $77,404 3.7% #44 #2033 +32.8%
Orange County 0.658% $6,330 $7,033 $4,599 $962,600 $116,289 5.4% #45 #2047 +33.7%
Mono County 0.653% $4,177 $4,512 $2,860 $639,400 $99,415 4.2% #46 #2066 +69.4%
Santa Barbara County 0.645% $5,103 $5,735 $3,913 $790,700 $98,161 5.2% #47 #2094 +33.7%
Glenn County 0.642% $2,263 $2,642 $1,777 $352,400 $67,139 3.4% #48 #2109 +28.4%
Humboldt County 0.640% $2,858 $3,221 $2,430 $446,900 $61,160 4.7% #49 #2114 +30%
Siskiyou County 0.637% $1,973 $2,353 $1,673 $309,500 $59,095 3.3% #50 #2122 +33%
Santa Cruz County 0.636% $6,538 $7,434 $4,595 $1,027,500 $111,093 5.9% #51 #2124 +32.2%
Monterey County 0.629% $4,910 $5,574 $3,732 $781,000 $97,230 5.0% #52 #2146 +36%
Tehama County 0.624% $2,118 $2,343 $1,667 $339,600 $63,784 3.3% #53 #2166 +48%
Colusa County 0.617% $2,426 $2,698 $2,159 $393,400 $75,672 3.2% #54 #2193 +30.5%
Del Norte County 0.614% $2,099 $2,458 $1,599 $342,000 $67,058 3.1% #55 #2211 +43.3%
Mariposa County 0.613% $2,377 $2,752 $1,807 $387,900 $68,412 3.5% #56 #2215 +21%
San Mateo County 0.610% $9,519 $10,001 $6,502 $1,559,600 $158,855 6.0% #57 #2225 +39.6%
Trinity County 0.579% $1,888 $2,420 $1,582 $325,800 $53,002 3.6% #58 #2339 +32.6%

Data: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 2020-2024 5-year estimates — tables B25103 (real-estate taxes), B25077 (home value), B19013 (household income) — and the 2024 Census county gazetteer. Public domain (Title 17 U.S.C. §105).

County detail — 28 California counties in depth

Full figures for the California counties most searched for, each with the Census margin of error on every median, both rankings, the five-year change, and the six nearest county-equivalents by centroid distance — nearby, not necessarily bordering, and cross-state neighbours included. For any individual property's assessed value, exemptions and bill, use that county's own assessor or appraisal district; per-county assessor URLs are never guessed here (why).

Kern County 0.882% · median tax $2,984 · #1392 nationally
Median taxes — all owner-occupied
$2,984 ± $55
With a mortgage
$3,344 ± $71
Without a mortgage
$2,348 ± $64
Median home value
$338,300 ± $2,944
Median household income
$70,210 ± $1,287
Taxes as share of income
4.3%
Effective rate
0.882%
Rank in California
#1 of 58
National rank
#1392 of 3,135
Estimated tax on a $340,000 home
$2,999

Median real-estate taxes rose 38.2% over five years ($2,159 → $2,984) — a statistically significant increase at 90% confidence. The effective tax rate fell 0.127 percentage points (1.009% → 0.882%), a change that is itself statistically significant at 90% confidence. Median home value moved $213,900 → $338,300 (+58.2%), and the rate changed −0.127 percentage points.

Nearest counties to Kern County:

Placer County 0.845% · median tax $5,812 · #1474 nationally
Median taxes — all owner-occupied
$5,812 ± $89
With a mortgage
$6,127 ± $107
Without a mortgage
$4,929 ± $123
Median home value
$688,100 ± $5,556
Median household income
$115,998 ± $2,483
Taxes as share of income
5.0%
Effective rate
0.845%
Rank in California
#2 of 58
National rank
#1474 of 3,135
Estimated tax on a $690,000 home
$5,831

Median real-estate taxes rose 33.5% over five years ($4,353 → $5,812) — a statistically significant increase at 90% confidence. The effective tax rate fell 0.079 percentage points (0.923% → 0.845%), a change that is itself statistically significant at 90% confidence. Median home value moved $471,500 → $688,100 (+45.9%), and the rate changed −0.079 percentage points.

Nearest counties to Placer County:

  • Nevada County, CA — 0.755%, median tax $4,694, 27 km away
  • El Dorado County, CA — 0.699%, median tax $4,753, 35 km away
  • Yuba County, CA — 0.745%, median tax $3,071, 58 km away
  • Sierra County, CA — 0.687%, median tax $2,279, 60 km away
  • Amador County, CA — 0.705%, median tax $3,172, 69 km away
  • Carson City, NV — 0.413%, median tax $1,870, 85 km away
Contra Costa County 0.826% · median tax $7,156 · #1519 nationally
Median taxes — all owner-occupied
$7,156 ± $82
With a mortgage
$7,929 ± $114
Without a mortgage
$5,348 ± $147
Median home value
$866,800 ± $6,426
Median household income
$127,229 ± $1,713
Taxes as share of income
5.6%
Effective rate
0.826%
Rank in California
#3 of 58
National rank
#1519 of 3,135
Estimated tax on a $865,000 home
$7,145

Median real-estate taxes rose 33.4% over five years ($5,364 → $7,156) — a statistically significant increase at 90% confidence. The effective tax rate fell 0.032 percentage points (0.857% → 0.826%), a change that is itself statistically significant at 90% confidence. Median home value moved $625,800 → $866,800 (+38.5%), and the rate changed −0.032 percentage points.

Nearest counties to Contra Costa County:

Riverside County 0.780% · median tax $4,348 · #1641 nationally
Median taxes — all owner-occupied
$4,348 ± $38
With a mortgage
$4,747 ± $48
Without a mortgage
$3,347 ± $80
Median home value
$557,300 ± $2,765
Median household income
$93,074 ± $1,015
Taxes as share of income
4.7%
Effective rate
0.780%
Rank in California
#5 of 58
National rank
#1641 of 3,135
Estimated tax on a $555,000 home
$4,329

Median real-estate taxes rose 30.3% over five years ($3,337 → $4,348) — a statistically significant increase at 90% confidence. The effective tax rate fell 0.173 percentage points (0.953% → 0.780%), a change that is itself statistically significant at 90% confidence. Median home value moved $350,100 → $557,300 (+59.2%), and the rate changed −0.173 percentage points.

Nearest counties to Riverside County:

Alameda County 0.777% · median tax $8,474 · #1652 nationally
Median taxes — all owner-occupied
$8,474 ± $77
With a mortgage
$9,509 ± $98
Without a mortgage
$5,954 ± $124
Median home value
$1,090,100 ± $6,313
Median household income
$129,367 ± $1,284
Taxes as share of income
6.5%
Effective rate
0.777%
Rank in California
#6 of 58
National rank
#1652 of 3,135
Estimated tax on a $1,090,000 home
$8,469

Median real-estate taxes rose 41.5% over five years ($5,990 → $8,474) — a statistically significant increase at 90% confidence. The change in the effective tax rate (0.779% → 0.777%) is not statistically significant at 90% confidence. Median home value moved $769,300 → $1,090,100 (+41.7%), and the rate changed −0.001 percentage points.

Nearest counties to Alameda County:

Yolo County 0.765% · median tax $4,749 · #1689 nationally
Median taxes — all owner-occupied
$4,749 ± $155
With a mortgage
$5,322 ± $242
Without a mortgage
$3,854 ± $263
Median home value
$620,700 ± $8,741
Median household income
$91,752 ± $3,365
Taxes as share of income
5.2%
Effective rate
0.765%
Rank in California
#9 of 58
National rank
#1689 of 3,135
Estimated tax on a $620,000 home
$4,743

Median real-estate taxes rose 30.8% over five years ($3,630 → $4,749) — a statistically significant increase at 90% confidence. The effective tax rate fell 0.089 percentage points (0.854% → 0.765%), a change that is itself statistically significant at 90% confidence. Median home value moved $424,900 → $620,700 (+46.1%), and the rate changed −0.089 percentage points.

Nearest counties to Yolo County:

  • Napa County, CA — 0.689%, median tax $5,995, 42 km away
  • Sutter County, CA — 0.754%, median tax $3,268, 43 km away
  • Solano County, CA — 0.748%, median tax $4,621, 46 km away
  • Sacramento County, CA — 0.734%, median tax $3,921, 55 km away
  • Colusa County, CA — 0.617%, median tax $2,426, 63 km away
  • Yuba County, CA — 0.745%, median tax $3,071, 82 km away
Nevada County 0.755% · median tax $4,694 · #1712 nationally
Median taxes — all owner-occupied
$4,694 ± $162
With a mortgage
$4,994 ± $206
Without a mortgage
$4,015 ± $293
Median home value
$621,800 ± $12,667
Median household income
$89,882 ± $3,998
Taxes as share of income
5.2%
Effective rate
0.755%
Rank in California
#10 of 58
National rank
#1712 of 3,135
Estimated tax on a $620,000 home
$4,681

Median real-estate taxes rose 39.6% over five years ($3,362 → $4,694) — a statistically significant increase at 90% confidence. The change in the effective tax rate (0.780% → 0.755%) is not statistically significant at 90% confidence. Median home value moved $431,000 → $621,800 (+44.3%), and the rate changed −0.025 percentage points.

Nearest counties to Nevada County:

  • Placer County, CA — 0.845%, median tax $5,812, 27 km away
  • Sierra County, CA — 0.687%, median tax $2,279, 38 km away
  • Yuba County, CA — 0.745%, median tax $3,071, 49 km away
  • El Dorado County, CA — 0.699%, median tax $4,753, 61 km away
  • Plumas County, CA — 0.704%, median tax $2,537, 77 km away
  • Butte County, CA — 0.695%, median tax $2,951, 82 km away
Solano County 0.748% · median tax $4,621 · #1733 nationally
Median taxes — all owner-occupied
$4,621 ± $86
With a mortgage
$4,986 ± $117
Without a mortgage
$3,608 ± $113
Median home value
$617,700 ± $4,898
Median household income
$100,401 ± $2,108
Taxes as share of income
4.6%
Effective rate
0.748%
Rank in California
#12 of 58
National rank
#1733 of 3,135
Estimated tax on a $620,000 home
$4,638

Median real-estate taxes rose 36.7% over five years ($3,380 → $4,621) — a statistically significant increase at 90% confidence. The effective tax rate fell 0.083 percentage points (0.831% → 0.748%), a change that is itself statistically significant at 90% confidence. Median home value moved $406,900 → $617,700 (+51.8%), and the rate changed −0.083 percentage points.

Nearest counties to Solano County:

San Joaquin County 0.746% · median tax $3,960 · #1739 nationally
Median taxes — all owner-occupied
$3,960 ± $68
With a mortgage
$4,351 ± $88
Without a mortgage
$3,017 ± $133
Median home value
$530,700 ± $6,613
Median household income
$92,179 ± $1,619
Taxes as share of income
4.3%
Effective rate
0.746%
Rank in California
#14 of 58
National rank
#1739 of 3,135
Estimated tax on a $530,000 home
$3,954

Median real-estate taxes rose 38.5% over five years ($2,859 → $3,960) — a statistically significant increase at 90% confidence. The effective tax rate fell 0.09 percentage points (0.836% → 0.746%), a change that is itself statistically significant at 90% confidence. Median home value moved $342,100 → $530,700 (+55.1%), and the rate changed −0.09 percentage points.

Nearest counties to San Joaquin County:

Fresno County 0.736% · median tax $2,861 · #1767 nationally
Median taxes — all owner-occupied
$2,861 ± $42
With a mortgage
$3,138 ± $64
Without a mortgage
$2,312 ± $99
Median home value
$388,800 ± $3,630
Median household income
$74,201 ± $1,322
Taxes as share of income
3.9%
Effective rate
0.736%
Rank in California
#17 of 58
National rank
#1767 of 3,135
Estimated tax on a $390,000 home
$2,870

Median real-estate taxes rose 36.4% over five years ($2,097 → $2,861) — a statistically significant increase at 90% confidence. The effective tax rate fell 0.086 percentage points (0.822% → 0.736%), a change that is itself statistically significant at 90% confidence. Median home value moved $255,000 → $388,800 (+52.5%), and the rate changed −0.086 percentage points.

Nearest counties to Fresno County:

  • Madera County, CA — 0.701%, median tax $2,756, 51 km away
  • Kings County, CA — 0.748%, median tax $2,425, 78 km away
  • Mariposa County, CA — 0.613%, median tax $2,377, 93 km away
  • Tulare County, CA — 0.702%, median tax $2,318, 98 km away
  • Merced County, CA — 0.672%, median tax $2,634, 106 km away
  • San Benito County, CA — 0.812%, median tax $6,441, 129 km away
Sacramento County 0.734% · median tax $3,921 · #1773 nationally
Median taxes — all owner-occupied
$3,921 ± $42
With a mortgage
$4,251 ± $54
Without a mortgage
$3,049 ± $94
Median home value
$534,200 ± $3,984
Median household income
$92,175 ± $1,010
Taxes as share of income
4.3%
Effective rate
0.734%
Rank in California
#18 of 58
National rank
#1773 of 3,135
Estimated tax on a $535,000 home
$3,927

Median real-estate taxes rose 37% over five years ($2,862 → $3,921) — a statistically significant increase at 90% confidence. The effective tax rate fell 0.079 percentage points (0.813% → 0.734%), a change that is itself statistically significant at 90% confidence. Median home value moved $351,900 → $534,200 (+51.8%), and the rate changed −0.079 percentage points.

Nearest counties to Sacramento County:

  • Yolo County, CA — 0.765%, median tax $4,749, 55 km away
  • Solano County, CA — 0.748%, median tax $4,621, 56 km away
  • San Joaquin County, CA — 0.746%, median tax $3,960, 58 km away
  • Amador County, CA — 0.705%, median tax $3,172, 60 km away
  • Sutter County, CA — 0.754%, median tax $3,268, 72 km away
  • Calaveras County, CA — 0.726%, median tax $3,319, 75 km away
Stanislaus County 0.715% · median tax $3,216 · #1835 nationally
Median taxes — all owner-occupied
$3,216 ± $69
With a mortgage
$3,551 ± $76
Without a mortgage
$2,385 ± $120
Median home value
$450,100 ± $3,186
Median household income
$81,468 ± $1,473
Taxes as share of income
4.0%
Effective rate
0.715%
Rank in California
#22 of 58
National rank
#1835 of 3,135
Estimated tax on a $450,000 home
$3,218

Median real-estate taxes rose 42.3% over five years ($2,260 → $3,216) — a statistically significant increase at 90% confidence. The effective tax rate fell 0.061 percentage points (0.775% → 0.715%), a change that is itself statistically significant at 90% confidence. Median home value moved $291,600 → $450,100 (+54.4%), and the rate changed −0.061 percentage points.

Nearest counties to Stanislaus County:

San Francisco County 0.707% · median tax $9,862 · #1866 nationally
Median taxes — all owner-occupied
$9,862 ± $215
With a mortgage
$10,001
Without a mortgage
$5,996 ± $206
Median home value
$1,394,500 ± $20,642
Median household income
$140,970 ± $2,593
Taxes as share of income
7.0%
Effective rate
0.707%
Rank in California
#23 of 58
National rank
#1866 of 3,135
Estimated tax on a $1,395,000 home
$9,863

Median real-estate taxes rose 40.9% over five years ($7,001 → $9,862) — a statistically significant increase at 90% confidence. The effective tax rate rose 0.069 percentage points (0.638% → 0.707%), a change that is itself statistically significant at 90% confidence. Median home value moved $1,097,800 → $1,394,500 (+27%), and the rate changed +0.069 percentage points.

Nearest counties to San Francisco County:

Tulare County 0.702% · median tax $2,318 · #1885 nationally
Median taxes — all owner-occupied
$2,318 ± $61
With a mortgage
$2,594 ± $67
Without a mortgage
$1,750 ± $84
Median home value
$330,100 ± $4,959
Median household income
$71,300 ± $1,532
Taxes as share of income
3.3%
Effective rate
0.702%
Rank in California
#26 of 58
National rank
#1885 of 3,135
Estimated tax on a $330,000 home
$2,317

Median real-estate taxes rose 46.8% over five years ($1,579 → $2,318) — a statistically significant increase at 90% confidence. The effective tax rate fell 0.068 percentage points (0.770% → 0.702%), a change that is itself statistically significant at 90% confidence. Median home value moved $205,000 → $330,100 (+61%), and the rate changed −0.068 percentage points.

Nearest counties to Tulare County:

  • Kings County, CA — 0.748%, median tax $2,425, 95 km away
  • Fresno County, CA — 0.736%, median tax $2,861, 98 km away
  • Kern County, CA — 0.882%, median tax $2,984, 98 km away
  • Inyo County, CA — 0.739%, median tax $2,576, 129 km away
  • Madera County, CA — 0.701%, median tax $2,756, 139 km away
  • San Luis Obispo County, CA — 0.683%, median tax $5,636, 177 km away
San Bernardino County 0.701% · median tax $3,538 · #1891 nationally
Median taxes — all owner-occupied
$3,538 ± $36
With a mortgage
$3,904 ± $47
Without a mortgage
$2,600 ± $53
Median home value
$505,000 ± $4,319
Median household income
$85,478 ± $924
Taxes as share of income
4.1%
Effective rate
0.701%
Rank in California
#28 of 58
National rank
#1891 of 3,135
Estimated tax on a $505,000 home
$3,540

Median real-estate taxes rose 35.3% over five years ($2,615 → $3,538) — a statistically significant increase at 90% confidence. The effective tax rate fell 0.096 percentage points (0.797% → 0.701%), a change that is itself statistically significant at 90% confidence. Median home value moved $328,200 → $505,000 (+53.9%), and the rate changed −0.096 percentage points.

Nearest counties to San Bernardino County:

El Dorado County 0.699% · median tax $4,753 · #1897 nationally
Median taxes — all owner-occupied
$4,753 ± $121
With a mortgage
$5,194 ± $185
Without a mortgage
$3,687 ± $172
Median home value
$679,900 ± $12,105
Median household income
$108,845 ± $3,035
Taxes as share of income
4.4%
Effective rate
0.699%
Rank in California
#29 of 58
National rank
#1897 of 3,135
Estimated tax on a $680,000 home
$4,753

Median real-estate taxes rose 36.8% over five years ($3,475 → $4,753) — a statistically significant increase at 90% confidence. The effective tax rate fell 0.055 percentage points (0.754% → 0.699%), a change that is itself statistically significant at 90% confidence. Median home value moved $460,900 → $679,900 (+47.5%), and the rate changed −0.055 percentage points.

Nearest counties to El Dorado County:

  • Placer County, CA — 0.845%, median tax $5,812, 35 km away
  • Amador County, CA — 0.705%, median tax $3,172, 39 km away
  • Nevada County, CA — 0.755%, median tax $4,694, 61 km away
  • Calaveras County, CA — 0.726%, median tax $3,319, 66 km away
  • Alpine County, CA — 0.768%, median tax $4,530, 66 km away
  • Carson City, NV — 0.413%, median tax $1,870, 79 km away
Sonoma County 0.698% · median tax $5,695 · #1901 nationally
Median taxes — all owner-occupied
$5,695 ± $106
With a mortgage
$6,174 ± $107
Without a mortgage
$4,519 ± $152
Median home value
$815,500 ± $6,412
Median household income
$104,674 ± $2,030
Taxes as share of income
5.4%
Effective rate
0.698%
Rank in California
#30 of 58
National rank
#1901 of 3,135
Estimated tax on a $815,000 home
$5,689

Median real-estate taxes rose 33.9% over five years ($4,253 → $5,695) — a statistically significant increase at 90% confidence. The change in the effective tax rate (0.698% → 0.698%) is not statistically significant at 90% confidence. Median home value moved $609,600 → $815,500 (+33.8%), and the rate changed +0.001 percentage points.

Nearest counties to Sonoma County:

Napa County 0.689% · median tax $5,995 · #1929 nationally
Median taxes — all owner-occupied
$5,995 ± $236
With a mortgage
$6,910 ± $227
Without a mortgage
$4,076 ± $500
Median home value
$869,500 ± $15,451
Median household income
$111,471 ± $4,025
Taxes as share of income
5.4%
Effective rate
0.689%
Rank in California
#35 of 58
National rank
#1929 of 3,135
Estimated tax on a $870,000 home
$5,994

Median real-estate taxes rose 36.6% over five years ($4,390 → $5,995) — a statistically significant increase at 90% confidence. The change in the effective tax rate (0.690% → 0.689%) is not statistically significant at 90% confidence. Median home value moved $635,900 → $869,500 (+36.7%), and the rate changed −0.001 percentage points.

Nearest counties to Napa County:

San Luis Obispo County 0.683% · median tax $5,636 · #1947 nationally
Median taxes — all owner-occupied
$5,636 ± $132
With a mortgage
$6,068 ± $145
Without a mortgage
$4,566 ± $248
Median home value
$824,700 ± $12,237
Median household income
$97,446 ± $2,876
Taxes as share of income
5.8%
Effective rate
0.683%
Rank in California
#37 of 58
National rank
#1947 of 3,135
Estimated tax on a $825,000 home
$5,635

Median real-estate taxes rose 38.2% over five years ($4,077 → $5,636) — a statistically significant increase at 90% confidence. The effective tax rate fell 0.027 percentage points (0.710% → 0.683%), a change that is itself statistically significant at 90% confidence. Median home value moved $574,000 → $824,700 (+43.7%), and the rate changed −0.027 percentage points.

Nearest counties to San Luis Obispo County:

Los Angeles County 0.680% · median tax $5,675 · #1955 nationally
Median taxes — all owner-occupied
$5,675 ± $32
With a mortgage
$6,358 ± $38
Without a mortgage
$4,169 ± $45
Median home value
$834,200 ± $2,194
Median household income
$90,112 ± $392
Taxes as share of income
6.3%
Effective rate
0.680%
Rank in California
#38 of 58
National rank
#1955 of 3,135
Estimated tax on a $835,000 home
$5,678

Median real-estate taxes rose 36.4% over five years ($4,160 → $5,675) — a statistically significant increase at 90% confidence. The effective tax rate fell 0.033 percentage points (0.713% → 0.680%), a change that is itself statistically significant at 90% confidence. Median home value moved $583,200 → $834,200 (+43%), and the rate changed −0.033 percentage points.

Nearest counties to Los Angeles County:

Ventura County 0.678% · median tax $5,574 · #1967 nationally
Median taxes — all owner-occupied
$5,574 ± $79
With a mortgage
$6,174 ± $85
Without a mortgage
$4,040 ± $147
Median home value
$822,700 ± $6,187
Median household income
$109,797 ± $1,753
Taxes as share of income
5.1%
Effective rate
0.678%
Rank in California
#39 of 58
National rank
#1967 of 3,135
Estimated tax on a $825,000 home
$5,594

Median real-estate taxes rose 30.5% over five years ($4,271 → $5,574) — a statistically significant increase at 90% confidence. The effective tax rate fell 0.048 percentage points (0.726% → 0.678%), a change that is itself statistically significant at 90% confidence. Median home value moved $588,400 → $822,700 (+39.8%), and the rate changed −0.048 percentage points.

Nearest counties to Ventura County:

San Diego County 0.676% · median tax $5,774 · #1976 nationally
Median taxes — all owner-occupied
$5,774 ± $47
With a mortgage
$6,375 ± $55
Without a mortgage
$4,129 ± $91
Median home value
$854,700 ± $3,996
Median household income
$106,268 ± $949
Taxes as share of income
5.4%
Effective rate
0.676%
Rank in California
#40 of 58
National rank
#1976 of 3,135
Estimated tax on a $855,000 home
$5,780

Median real-estate taxes rose 40.5% over five years ($4,111 → $5,774) — a statistically significant increase at 90% confidence. The effective tax rate fell 0.054 percentage points (0.729% → 0.676%), a change that is itself statistically significant at 90% confidence. Median home value moved $563,700 → $854,700 (+51.6%), and the rate changed −0.054 percentage points.

Nearest counties to San Diego County:

Santa Clara County 0.671% · median tax $10,001 · #1997 nationally
Median taxes — all owner-occupied
$10,001
With a mortgage
$10,001
Without a mortgage
$6,633 ± $137
Median home value
$1,490,600 ± $14,163
Median household income
$164,281 ± $1,955
Taxes as share of income
6.1%
Effective rate
0.671%
Rank in California
#42 of 58
National rank
#1997 of 3,135
Estimated tax on a $1,490,000 home
$9,998

At least one of the medians needed for a five-year comparison is published only as an open-ended figure (a top- or bottom-coded value), so a change cannot be computed for this county.

Nearest counties to Santa Clara County:

Marin County 0.664% · median tax $10,001 · #2026 nationally
Median taxes — all owner-occupied
$10,001
With a mortgage
$10,001
Without a mortgage
$7,650 ± $468
Median home value
$1,507,300 ± $27,346
Median household income
$149,091 ± $4,474
Taxes as share of income
6.7%
Effective rate
0.664%
Rank in California
#43 of 58
National rank
#2026 of 3,135
Estimated tax on a $1,505,000 home
$9,993

At least one of the medians needed for a five-year comparison is published only as an open-ended figure (a top- or bottom-coded value), so a change cannot be computed for this county.

Nearest counties to Marin County:

Orange County 0.658% · median tax $6,330 · #2047 nationally
Median taxes — all owner-occupied
$6,330 ± $53
With a mortgage
$7,033 ± $67
Without a mortgage
$4,599 ± $78
Median home value
$962,600 ± $4,214
Median household income
$116,289 ± $871
Taxes as share of income
5.4%
Effective rate
0.658%
Rank in California
#45 of 58
National rank
#2047 of 3,135
Estimated tax on a $965,000 home
$6,350

Median real-estate taxes rose 33.7% over five years ($4,736 → $6,330) — a statistically significant increase at 90% confidence. The effective tax rate fell 0.04 percentage points (0.697% → 0.658%), a change that is itself statistically significant at 90% confidence. Median home value moved $679,300 → $962,600 (+41.7%), and the rate changed −0.04 percentage points.

Nearest counties to Orange County:

Santa Barbara County 0.645% · median tax $5,103 · #2094 nationally
Median taxes — all owner-occupied
$5,103 ± $149
With a mortgage
$5,735 ± $165
Without a mortgage
$3,913 ± $220
Median home value
$790,700 ± $17,571
Median household income
$98,161 ± $2,430
Taxes as share of income
5.2%
Effective rate
0.645%
Rank in California
#47 of 58
National rank
#2094 of 3,135
Estimated tax on a $790,000 home
$5,096

Median real-estate taxes rose 33.7% over five years ($3,816 → $5,103) — a statistically significant increase at 90% confidence. The change in the effective tax rate (0.661% → 0.645%) is not statistically significant at 90% confidence. Median home value moved $577,400 → $790,700 (+36.9%), and the rate changed −0.016 percentage points.

Nearest counties to Santa Barbara County:

Monterey County 0.629% · median tax $4,910 · #2146 nationally
Median taxes — all owner-occupied
$4,910 ± $119
With a mortgage
$5,574 ± $179
Without a mortgage
$3,732 ± $170
Median home value
$781,000 ± $13,801
Median household income
$97,230 ± $1,883
Taxes as share of income
5.0%
Effective rate
0.629%
Rank in California
#52 of 58
National rank
#2146 of 3,135
Estimated tax on a $780,000 home
$4,906

Median real-estate taxes rose 36% over five years ($3,611 → $4,910) — a statistically significant increase at 90% confidence. The effective tax rate fell 0.07 percentage points (0.699% → 0.629%), a change that is itself statistically significant at 90% confidence. Median home value moved $516,600 → $781,000 (+51.2%), and the rate changed −0.07 percentage points.

Nearest counties to Monterey County:

  • San Benito County, CA — 0.812%, median tax $6,441, 46 km away
  • Santa Cruz County, CA — 0.636%, median tax $6,538, 106 km away
  • Santa Clara County, CA — 0.671%, median tax $10,001, 114 km away
  • Merced County, CA — 0.672%, median tax $2,634, 119 km away
  • San Luis Obispo County, CA — 0.683%, median tax $5,636, 123 km away
  • Kings County, CA — 0.748%, median tax $2,425, 136 km away
San Mateo County 0.610% · median tax $9,519 · #2225 nationally
Median taxes — all owner-occupied
$9,519 ± $153
With a mortgage
$10,001
Without a mortgage
$6,502 ± $199
Median home value
$1,559,600 ± $16,159
Median household income
$158,855 ± $2,851
Taxes as share of income
6.0%
Effective rate
0.610%
Rank in California
#57 of 58
National rank
#2225 of 3,135
Estimated tax on a $1,560,000 home
$9,516

Median real-estate taxes rose 39.6% over five years ($6,819 → $9,519) — a statistically significant increase at 90% confidence. The effective tax rate fell 0.016 percentage points (0.626% → 0.610%), a change that is itself statistically significant at 90% confidence. Median home value moved $1,089,400 → $1,559,600 (+43.2%), and the rate changed −0.016 percentage points.

Nearest counties to San Mateo County:

Comparing the non-overlapping Census periods 2015-2019 and 2020-2024 — consecutive 5-year estimates share survey sample and are never compared here.

How property tax works in California

Assessment, exemptions, appeals and payment are set by California law and practice, so they apply to every county in the table above. Each fact is taken from an official government source and linked to it.

Exemptions & credits
The Board of Equalization lists several exemption categories (homeowners', veterans', nonprofit/welfare) but stresses these are general qualifying factors only — actual eligibility is determined by the county assessor. source →
Appealing an assessment
Assessment appeals are filed with the county Clerk of the Board between July 2 and September 15 (or up to November 30 in counties that don't mail notices by August 2); an Assessment Appeals Board resolves disputes and its decision is legally binding. source →
Payment schedule & penalties
The lien (assessment) date is January 1. The first installment is due November 1 (delinquent December 10); the second is due February 1 (delinquent April 10). source →
Why rates vary within the state
Proposition 13 (1978) rolled assessments back to 1975 market-value levels, capped the tax rate at 1% plus voter-approved bonded debt, and limited future assessed-value growth to at most 2%/year — so a long-held property is often assessed far below its current market value, and effective rates vary with how recently a home last changed hands. source →

Hand-sourced from official government sources — not a substitute for your own assessor's notice, and not legal or tax advice. Where a fact isn't confirmed on an official source, it is left off rather than guessed, which is why some states show fewer rows than others.

Official California tax authority

Property tax in California is assessed and collected locally. For an individual property's assessed value, exemptions, and bill, use the county assessor or appraisal district. For statewide rules and forms:

California State Board of Equalization →

This state link is hand-verified. Per-county assessor URLs are not published (no verified nationwide source exists) and are never guessed.

Frequently asked questions

What is the average property tax rate in California?
Statewide, California's effective property-tax rate is 0.697% — the state median real-estate taxes ($5,124) divided by the state median home value ($734,700), from the Census ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates. The national figure is about 0.937%, which puts California at #35 of 51 (1 = highest). Individual counties vary widely; the table above shows every one.
Which California county has the highest property taxes?
By effective rate, Kern County is highest in California at 0.882% (median bill $2,984), and Trinity County is lowest at 0.579% (median bill $1,888). Ranked by dollars paid rather than rate the order changes, because home values differ so much across the state — the table above shows both columns and sorts on either.
What property tax exemptions are available in California?
The Board of Equalization lists several exemption categories (homeowners', veterans', nonprofit/welfare) but stresses these are general qualifying factors only — actual eligibility is determined by the county assessor. Eligibility and filing are handled by your county assessor, and the exemption you qualify for changes your bill far more than the county you are in — the rates above are county medians and do not account for any exemption.
How do I appeal a property tax assessment in California?
Assessment appeals are filed with the county Clerk of the Board between July 2 and September 15 (or up to November 30 in counties that don't mail notices by August 2); an Assessment Appeals Board resolves disputes and its decision is legally binding. Missing the deadline usually means waiting a full year, so check the date on your own assessment notice rather than relying on a general figure.
When are property taxes due in California?
The lien (assessment) date is January 1. The first installment is due November 1 (delinquent December 10); the second is due February 1 (delinquent April 10). If your taxes are paid through a mortgage escrow account, your servicer pays on this schedule on your behalf.

Compare & explore

See the national highest and lowest property-tax rates, or read the methodology behind every figure. The national median effective rate is 0.937%; California's statewide figure is 0.697%.