California Property Tax Calculator
California property tax is dominated by one rule: Proposition 13, which caps how quickly assessed value can grow while you own the home and resets it to market value only when the property changes hands. The practical effect is that effective rates on market value usually sit below the nominal rate, especially for long-tenured owners. County, city, and school levies are then applied to that capped base. Estimate a first-year bill above by pairing your California county with a purchase price.
Annual Property Tax
$5,128Monthly (Escrow)
$427Effective Rate
0.70%Major county calculators
Highest property tax counties in California
Effective rate = aggregate real-estate taxes paid ÷ aggregate home value (ACS 2024 5-year).
| County | Effective Rate | Median Home Value |
|---|---|---|
| Kern County | 0.89% | $338,300 |
| Riverside County | 0.83% | $557,300 |
| Imperial County | 0.83% | $309,600 |
| Lassen County | 0.80% | $265,300 |
| Placer County | 0.79% | $688,100 |
| Yolo County | 0.79% | $620,700 |
| San Joaquin County | 0.79% | $530,700 |
| San Benito County | 0.78% | $793,400 |
| Solano County | 0.78% | $617,700 |
| Sutter County | 0.78% | $433,500 |
How property tax works in California
- Proposition 13 restrains annual assessed-value growth; a sale triggers reassessment at full market value.
- Recent buyers therefore carry bills closer to the nominal rate than neighbors who bought decades ago.
- Local levies from the county, city, school district, and special districts are applied to the Prop 13 base.
Methodology
Rates are aggregate-derived from the Census Bureau's ACS 2024 5-year American Community Survey (total real-estate taxes paid ÷ total home value, by county). This is a statistical estimate, not a bill lookup — actual property tax bills vary by city, school district, and special-district levies layered on top of the county rate, and by any homestead, senior, veteran, or other exemptions you qualify for. California ranks #32 of 51 (including DC) by statewide average effective rate, where #1 is the highest.
Need your California income tax too? Use the California income tax calculator .
Compare property tax across every state at the property tax calculator , or see whether your property tax deduction is capped at the SALT deduction cap calculator .
Frequently asked questions
How is property tax calculated in California?
Your county assessor tracks a Proposition 13 assessed value — capped in annual growth until the home sells — and the combined local levies are applied to that base rather than to current market value. That's why a home's tax bill often lags well behind what it would fetch on the market.
How much property tax will I pay in California?
It depends on your county's rates and, crucially, when the home was (or will be) purchased, since a sale resets assessed value to market. For a new purchase, the calculator above paired with your county's median rate gives a realistic first-year estimate.
Can I lower my California property tax bill?
Owner-occupants can claim an exemption on a primary residence, and additional relief exists for some seniors, veterans, and disabled residents. If your assessment exceeds what the home is actually worth, you can also file an appeal with your county's assessment appeals board.
Are property taxes deductible?
Yes, within limits: property tax is part of the federal SALT deduction for those who itemize, and that deduction carries a statutory cap. California itemizers often bump against it, so check the current IRS figure.
Sources
Related insights
Use these guides for rule explanations, planning context, and follow-up questions beyond the calculator result.