California Property Tax Data

By Kiznis Studio Editorial · May 2026

ACS 2024 property tax data for 58 counties in CA.

The average median property tax in California is $4,230/year, which is 112% above the national average of $1,993. The average effective tax rate is 0.70% on a median home value of $604,112. Taxes range from $1,561 in Modoc County to $10,001 in Santa Clara County.

What This Data Tells Us About California

Across 58 counties in California, the average median property tax is $4,230 per year, 112% above the national median of $1,993. The statewide effective rate of 0.70% on a median home value of $604,112 reflects how California's assessment rules and local millage combine at the household level.

Within California, median annual tax ranges from $1,561 in Modoc County (effective rate 0.69%) to $10,001 in Santa Clara County (effective rate 0.67%). Median home values in California ($604,112) compared with $227,791 nationally help explain why the same effective rate produces different dollar bills in different states. Within-state variation often tracks local school levies, county bonds, and municipal overlays rather than a single statewide rate.

This page is for informational purposes only and is not tax, legal, or financial advice. Figures describe median homeowner households reported to the Census Bureau — individual bills can differ based on assessed value, exemptions, special districts, and local overlays. Always confirm current rates with your county assessor or a qualified professional before making decisions that rely on these numbers.

State Average vs National Average

Median Annual Tax

$4,230

+112% vs US avg

Median Home Value

$604,112

+165% vs US avg

Effective Tax Rate

0.70%

-24% vs US avg

Lowest Property Taxes in California

Counties with the cheapest tax bills →

Highest Property Taxes in California

Counties with the most expensive tax bills →

Top 5 Lowest Tax Counties

Top 5 Highest Tax Counties

1. Marin County

$10,001

2. Santa Clara County

$10,001

3. San Francisco County

Tax Affordability Score

8.4

Very Affordable

Based on the average effective tax rate of 0.70% compared to the national average of 0.92%. California has below-average property tax rates, making it a more affordable state for homeowners.

Very Expensive Very Affordable

All Counties in California (58)

County	Median Tax	Effective Rate	Home Value	Population
Alameda County	$8,474	0.78%	$1,090,100	325,509
Alpine County	$4,530	0.77%	$590,200	340
Amador County	$3,172	0.71%	$449,800	12,941
Butte County	$2,951	0.69%	$424,700	47,717
Calaveras County	$3,319	0.73%	$457,200	15,480
Colusa County	$2,426	0.62%	$393,400	4,674
Contra Costa County	$7,156	0.83%	$866,800	281,819
Del Norte County	$2,099	0.61%	$342,000	6,673
El Dorado County	$4,753	0.70%	$679,900	58,844
Fresno County	$2,861	0.74%	$388,800	180,371
Glenn County	$2,263	0.64%	$352,400	6,002
Humboldt County	$2,858	0.64%	$446,900	31,053
Imperial County	$2,394	0.77%	$309,600	28,210
Inyo County	$2,576	0.74%	$348,700	5,339
Kern County	$2,984	0.88%	$338,300	171,133
Kings County	$2,425	0.75%	$324,300	23,870
Lake County	$2,369	0.73%	$324,300	19,441
Lassen County	$1,923	0.72%	$265,300	6,305
Los Angeles County	$5,675	0.68%	$834,200	1,567,983
Madera County	$2,756	0.70%	$393,200	30,613
Marin County	$10,001	0.66%	$1,507,300	66,616
Mariposa County	$2,377	0.61%	$387,900	5,611
Mendocino County	$3,545	0.69%	$512,200	21,500
Merced County	$2,634	0.67%	$391,800	46,474
Modoc County	$1,561	0.69%	$224,700	2,530
Mono County	$4,177	0.65%	$639,400	3,758
Monterey County	$4,910	0.63%	$781,000	68,993
Napa County	$5,995	0.69%	$869,500	31,555
Nevada County	$4,694	0.75%	$621,800	32,342
Orange County	$6,330	0.66%	$962,600	610,659
Placer County	$5,812	0.84%	$688,100	118,103
Plumas County	$2,537	0.70%	$360,200	6,006
Riverside County	$4,348	0.78%	$557,300	535,986
Sacramento County	$3,921	0.73%	$534,200	337,066
San Benito County	$6,441	0.81%	$793,400	13,970
San Bernardino County	$3,538	0.70%	$505,000	418,836
San Diego County	$5,774	0.68%	$854,700	639,138
San Francisco County	$9,862	0.71%	$1,394,500	139,057
San Joaquin County	$3,960	0.75%	$530,700	152,030
San Luis Obispo County	$5,636	0.68%	$824,700	67,986
San Mateo County	$9,519	0.61%	$1,559,600	154,607
Santa Barbara County	$5,103	0.65%	$790,700	78,344
Santa Clara County	$10,001	0.67%	$1,490,600	363,147
Santa Cruz County	$6,538	0.64%	$1,027,500	58,079
Shasta County	$2,542	0.69%	$366,400	46,694
Sierra County	$2,279	0.69%	$331,900	879
Siskiyou County	$1,973	0.64%	$309,500	13,203
Solano County	$4,621	0.75%	$617,700	99,263
Sonoma County	$5,695	0.70%	$815,500	119,598
Stanislaus County	$3,216	0.71%	$450,100	108,828
Sutter County	$3,268	0.75%	$433,500	20,417
Tehama County	$2,118	0.62%	$339,600	16,640
Trinity County	$1,888	0.58%	$325,800	4,006
Tulare County	$2,318	0.70%	$330,100	83,701
Tuolumne County	$2,864	0.66%	$433,200	16,771
Ventura County	$5,574	0.68%	$822,700	181,039
Yolo County	$4,749	0.77%	$620,700	41,637
Yuba County	$3,071	0.74%	$412,300	18,182

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average property tax in California? ▼

The average median property tax paid in California is $4,230 per year, based on ACS 2024 data. The average effective tax rate is 0.70%.

How does California compare to the national average? ▼

California property taxes are 112% above the national average. Homeowners here pay a median of $4,230 per year compared to $1,993 nationally.

Which county in California has the lowest property taxes? ▼

Modoc County has the lowest median property tax in California at $1,561 per year with an effective rate of 0.69%. The highest is Santa Clara County at $10,001.

How are property taxes calculated? ▼

Property taxes are calculated by multiplying the assessed value of a property by the local tax rate (mill rate). Rates vary by county, city, and school district. The effective tax rate shown here is the median tax paid divided by the median home value, which provides a standardized comparison across counties.

What is the median home value in California? ▼

The median home value across California is $604,112, compared to $227,791 nationally. Home values directly impact property tax bills since taxes are assessed as a percentage of property value.

Can I appeal my property taxes in California? ▼

Yes. Every California homeowner has the right to appeal their property tax assessment. The process typically starts at your county assessor's office within 30-90 days of receiving your assessment notice. You can challenge the assessed value by providing comparable sales data, evidence of property condition, or errors in the assessment. See our guide on how to appeal property taxes for detailed steps.